RYA pays tribute to Edward (Eddie) Ramsden MBE

Eddie Ramsden RYA Chair

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of RYA stalwart Eddie Ramsden.

It is rare to find individuals who spend upwards of 30 years volunteering for the RYA, and the multiple awards that Eddie received over the years are a testament to the quantity and quality of his contribution.

His love of the sport was kindled by reading the books of Arthur Ransome which prompted him to learn to sail, and then race, on the River Tyne. His primary interest was in dinghy sailing, particularly GP14s, and he served as Class President for four years.

In the 1980s, Eddie successively served as Secretary, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Welsh Yachting Association. His work with the RYA centrally had an unlikely beginning. At the 1978 Endeavour Trophy the then Chairman, Francis Elkin, saw Eddie calming an altercation between two competitors and, shortly afterwards, invited him to join the RYA’s General Purposes Committee. The rest, as they say, is history.

Eddie went on to serve on many committees and working groups, as well as the RYA Council, and was Chairman of the RYA from 2004 to 2007. Throughout, he was a moderniser whose pragmatism and ability to tackle difficult issues helped to shape today’s Association.

In 2008 Eddie was awarded Honorary Life Membership – the RYA’s highest award which is given only to those individuals who have made an extraordinary and unique contribution to the Association’s mission.

Eddie will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. Our thoughts are with his widow, Jean, and their family.

Source: rya.org.uk

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