We bring you the sad news that John Eden, one of our Life Members, passed away on 30th March this year. For those of you who did not know John, he served as Club secretary for many years and was bar manager at a time when bar income was far more important to club finances than it is today. John was made a life member of the Club in 2006.
John served in the Royal Navy on Minesweepers at the end of the second world war (Petty Officer) and afterwards went to Cambridge University to read Modern Languages, and first started rowing in Emmanuel college crews.
We know he spent over 8 years working in the United States in the early 50\’s and on his return worked in London for Johnson Matthey bank.
John spoke several languages: good French, some Spanish, Latin and German. He did name our first carbon fibre boat many years ago –Viridisima – it was a very bright green!
He joined GRC in the 70s and regularly rowed in the eight\’s head of river race with a bunch of other Veterans from his age group. Their most famous race saw them disqualified for having a girl rowing in the bow seat (not noticed until the photos were released).
John had 2 sons and 2 daughters and was one of the nicest people to know. John served the Club faithfully for many years and the Club meant a lot to him.