Dr John Veitch, a former president of Cumbria Rugby Union and ex-chairman of the Egremont club, has died at the age of 83.
He was a popular GP in Egremont for over 50 years and although a proud Scotsman, was pleased to known as an adopted Cumbrian.
In his younger days he had played his rugby at Watsonians and that started a life-long love-affair with the game – highlighted by his visit to Twickenham with the Cumbria team in 1997 when he was the team doctor.
Described by the Bleach Green club as a friendly, jovial and very humble man he died last week in a St Helens nursing home. He and his wide Sandra had moved there to be nearer their daughter but he had developed a number of health issues.
The Egremont club said on their social media platform: “Our club is saddened to learn that Dr John Veitch has died. John was our club’s chairman for many years and was an honorary life member.
“He was a former president of Cumbria Rugby Union and was the medical officer to the Cumbria senior men’s team for many seasons.
“He loved to join a game of touch rugby at the start of a training session and always had time to treat our players’ injuries, irrespective of whether they were playing for the club’s Third XV or Cumbria.
“He was loved by all of our club’s players and members and our thoughts are with Sandra, Sarah and their family at this sad time. RIP Doctor, we miss you.”
Dr Veitch had been a popular GP in the town at Beach House and also at the clinic in Wath Brow.
Mark Richardson, the former Cumbria captain who started his career at Egremont, said: “John was like a second father to me so we were very close.
“I remember when I had a cancer problem in 2001 he got me to see a specialist within two days of me going to see him.
“There was another occasion when I was driving home from a county training session and I had an almighty pain in my stomach. I called at his house near Egremont to see him and after a quick examination he diagnosed appendicitis and I was on my way to hospital.
“But it wasn’t just me, he was very good with all the players at Cumbria and Egremont. He really was a proud man when he was on medical duties for the County side at the Championship final.”
The funeral service is to be held at St Helens Crematorium on Thursday, September 12 at 2.30pm when a close friend, former RFU president and ex-county president John Owen will deliver the eulogy.
