We are sorry to announce the death of Dick Negus, a Club member since 1988, who died on Friday 22 April.

Read a short appreciation by Richard Griffiths, who sailed with Dick, below.

 


"I first sailed with Dick in 2004 and hit it off immediately.  We sailed out of Chichester and on a warm spring morning and by the time we reached the bar beacon Dick had offered to lend me Sigyn whenever I wanted her. It was a perfect illustration of Dick's boundless generosity which over the next few years let me gain valuable experience as a skipper and the opportunity to court the woman who is now my wife.  

 

Like many boats and their owners Sigyn and Dick came to share certain characteristics, principally charm.  Sigyn, a Vindo 32, has a GRP hull and deck base with a teak overlay and mahogany coachroof and cockpit.  In Dick's long ownership Sigyn gleamed inside and out.  She was compact, well-equipped and, with her long keel and keel-hung rudder, sea-kindly and sturdy.  As age slowed Dick down he fitted roller furling for the genoa and an in-boom furling main.  

Like her owner, Sigyn brought together the best of traditional and the modern.  I will always have happy memories of both of them."

Dick was a talented graphic designer and artist and had recently remarried, after being widowed some years ago. He lived in North London but sailed his yacht Sigyn from Chichester and was a regular at Club rallies when he was an active sailor. He was editor of the history of the Club "The First 75 Years" which was written and produced to celebrate the Club's 75th anniversary in 2001 and designed by his son Dominic.

Dick trained at Camberwell School of Art. As a graphic designer he  worked with clients including British Airways, the Royal Opera House and the Royal National Theatre.

For the last few years Dick had returned to painting.


Torso Acrylic on canvas 30 x 40cm 2006

The Club would like to express its sincere condolences to Dick's family and friends. A fuller tribute to a much respected Club member will be published in the Summer 2011 issue of the magazine.