Reg White MBE - 28 Oct 1935 -27th May 2010

[Vamoose]

I dont know if this is the right place to post a tribute but her go's

A lovely man. I recall him helping us build GP14 "Teenbeat" in Brightlingsea Youth centre in the early 60's. Then later inviting him along as a speaker to a Round Table meeting, where related numerous tales and many people having their photos taken with his medal. .

An East Coast Legend.

(But what a way to go!)

"Reg White MBE died peacefully in his BOD dinghy on the 27th May.

Many will have fond memories of the day Reg White and John Osborn returned from the 1976 Olympics as Gold Medallists, when the people of Brightlingsea lined the streets to welcome the heroes home.

Regrettably, on Monday 14th June, brother on law John will accompany his helmsman, with the rest of the family, on Reg’s final journey out of Brightlingsea.

The hearse will leave Seaview Road at 10.30 am driving via Red Barn Road and Church Road giving an opportunity for those who wish, to pay their respect from the road side.

After a private service at the crematorium, the family will return to All Saints Church to be amongst Reg’s many friends in a memorial service and celebration of his life.

The family thank everyone for the overwhelming sympathy and support received."

 

[Marmalade]

Sad indeed. There will be a minute's silence on the hard before the start of this year's East Coast Piers Race (July 4th) in his memory.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I hope that when my time comes, I go in such a manner!

I remember (as a fanatical dinghy sailor/racer in my youth) cheering for Reg White when he won his Olympic gold.

 

[Cobra]

I consider myself to have been one of the fortunate people who has both worked and sailed with Reg.

I have known the White family all my life, Reg's eldest son Robert being two days my junior, we grew up together and sailed against each other in Brightlingsea.

I worked for Reg and his Father in law Bob Osborn as the Day Boat Sales Manager at their company Sail Craft, and also had the priviledge of having crewed for Reg on his Tornado on many occassions. He was one of the planets nice guys, always had time to talk boats with enthusiasts and always keen to offer advice and guidance to anyone who asked.

As a person to sail with he was just amazing. I remember well one race, it was blowing about force 3-4, we were beating out to sea with another 3 Tornados, and were not pointing as well as the others. Reg scratched his head, passed the traveller control to me out on the trapeze, put the tiller on the deck, stood up walked to the mast, adjusted the outhaul, reset the camber on the sail, walked back along the trampoline, took the traveller control back, picked up the tiller, put a bit more tension on the mainsheet, and within about 5 minutes we had pulled clear of the others...all of this whilst keeping the weather hull about 12" out of the water. Don't ask me how he did it...just man and boat in perfect harmony!

However, we all have to go to meet our maker some day, and I guess that for Reg there could have been no better way to go...with his sea boots on!

My thoughts are with his family.

 

[jhr]

Very nicely put.

There was also an excellent obituary yesterday, in the Grauniad, by Bob Fisher

 

[wingdiver]

Report on the service by the local paper - http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/news/farewell_to_olympic_reg_1_445837