Rodney Parkins Died

[<<] [>>] by Dave Kibble
16 Feb 2017 (Other News)

"He was always very encouraging to anyone who showed the slightest interest in croquet. He was enormously enthusiastic about the game and we all owe him a great debt of gratitude for what he did over the years."

"..................we certainly had a mad old time when Rodney was about."

"..................the (school) reunions for which we will all be grateful for his organising, and for which he will be remembered."

"I am in tears writing this. .... He was a truly unique and wonderful man and I am so glad we knew him."

"I feel sorrow at the loss of such an excellent colleague, a fine man and a good thinker. We had a lot of fun at work......"

"Rodney was the loveliest of men and the kindest. Will have many happy memories of the laughs we had together."

"Were it not for his tenacity and hard work 16 years ago none of the (school) reunions and lunches would have happened and we all owe him a great deal for that."

"I had the greatest respect for Rodney partly because he overcame his hearing disability to chair the (Medway CC) committee, despite sometimes hearing only a part of the proceedings, but also because he was a thoroughly nice and likeable chap. He was willing to help all members with their stroke play and tactics ............"

"He was always helpful and considerate."

The above quotes are some of the tributes which members of the family have received over the last few days, (not all from members of the croquet club), to which we would just add that integrity and loyalty are two words which reflect the esteem in which his brothers hold him.

Rodney was the founder member of Medway Croquet Club - virtually on his own. In the early days he worked very hard at his new found responsibility, being the club's first chairman, and after a couple of years, he oversaw the move from a single lawn site to our present location where the Club enjoyed four lawns and eventually a fifth. During this time he did not neglect his own play, travelling all over the UK, playing more tournaments than most of us. He not only enjoyed the tournament play, but also the apres play as well! He was awarded his county cap - he was very proud of that.

We shall certainly miss him.

David and Nigel Parkins