ONE of Worcester’s great sporting characters, Bob Pritchard, has died.

Probably best known for his association with Worcester Rowing Club – although he was a local champion in at least five other sports, excelling in rifle shooting, hockey, athletics, archery and fencing – Mr Pritchard died suddenly at his home in the St John’s area of the city aged 86.

He rowed competitively for more than 60 years for WRC and served three terms as club captain, as well as holding roles as club chairman, regatta president and trustee. His most successful achievement in the boat was securing a gold medal in the coxed fours during the World Veterans Championships in the 1980s.

“Bob Pritchard was a wonderful character who can never be replaced,” said rowing club president Bob Wooding. “He was one of the backbones of the club over a great many years and a great supporter and encourager of young rowers and coxes into the sport.

“He was also a formidable raconteur and his presence will be missed by everyone connected with rowing in Worcestershire.”

Although known as “Worcester’s Prince of Sport” in his younger days, Mr Pritchard was actually born and brought up in Kidderminster and his association with rowing began as a teenager when he was made cox at Stourport Boat Club before the Second World War.

After war service in the Royal Artillery – during which he ran for his regiment – he returned to live in Worcester and later marry. He was a plumber by trade.

In 1948 Mr Pritchard joined Worcester Fencing Club and remained a competent competitor for more than 20 years before the club began running out of headquarters. Also at the end of the 1940s, he became a full-back in the Worcester Redelians hockey team and played several successful seasons.

His shooting days, which had begun in the Home Guard, continued after the war with the Worcestershire Regiment’s Rifle Club, of which he remained a leading member until eye trouble called a halt to his shooting in the late 1980s. Mr Pritchard won dozens of trophies and represented Worcestershire at Bisley.

In 1961 he added archery to his sporting bow and became a member of Worcester Company of Archers, winning numerous trophies until rising costs in the equipment caused him to leave the sport.

Mr Pritchard lived in Comer Gardens, Worcester. His wife Emily, to whom he was married for 65 years, died three years ago and the couple’s daughter Angela died only a week before her father.

Mr Pritchard left a son-in-law, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

His funeral will be at Worcester Crematorium on Monday, October 24, at 11am.