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News: Cycling's Ron Fowler Passes Away

Story posted November 22 | Thanks to Stuart Benstead

Sadly, British Cycling has learnt that one of the country's top volunteers, Ron Fowler, has passed away two days after his 80th birthday. Ron was the epitome of a dedicated cycle sport volunteer having been a judge and commissaire at virtually every Herne Hill meeting for more years than those of his time can remember.

Ron also officiated at National Track Championship at Leicester and then at Manchester for many years. Only last weekend he was a delegate for the South East Region at the British Cycling National Council as he had been for many years before.

British Cycling President, Brian Cookson, says of Ron's passing, "Ron Fowler was one of those people who put in far more than they ever take out. Through his unstinting efforts over many, many years, he put so much into our sport, we are grateful for his contribution and I am proud to have known him".

John Hawkridge, Chair - South East Region of British Cycling paid this tribute to him "Ron was a member of the Regional Board from it's inception.  He was always ready to help in any capacity and once he had agreed to assist you could rely on him totally.  He would always turn up. On occasion he would not only organise an event but also provide the Prize money from his own pocket.  He was generous both of his time and financially but always in his uniquely quiet way.  He will be sorely missed."

A member of the Belle Vue CC, Ron's service to the sport has been recognised by the Southern Counties in making him president a few years ago. His contribution as a volunteer was also recognised with a multi-sport award and by also British Cycling.

Another of the sports long time volunteers and servants, Stuart Benstead (former Archer GP organiser), says of Ron "I have lost a good friend with whom I had visited a number of World Championships and Six Days events. Ron was my travelling companion for the National Council last weekend when he appeared in reasonably good current health although he has had problems in the last year or so. He was taken into hospital on Monday following a suspected heart attack."

Awarded 'Torch Trophy Trust' September 2005 from Princess Anne

Ron was a dedicated Stalwart of the South and West London Cycling scene.  After being a club standard rider in the 1950’s,  Ron decided he would become more involved in the organising and officiating side of the sport.

Ron starting running meetings for the Belle Vue CC based in Putney in the 1950’s and since then has organised road races and track meetings every year. This represents at least 50 years uninterrupted involvement with officiating, organising and participating in the sport of cycling.

In his capacity as a finish line judge and commissaire and has attended hundreds (probably thousands) of meetings. In recent years, he has become a fixture at Hillingdon, Crystal Palace park circuit races, Herne Hill and Reading track during their weekly summer and winter meetings.

In 1984, he became a National Level track commissaire (referee) and started to attend the National Track Championships that were then held in Leicester. He did this for 10 years until they were moved to Manchester when the new velodrome was built there. Since then he has concentrated on cycling South and West London recently organising the highly successful SCCU Roadman’s 25 meeting that incorporated a round of the National Sprinters League.

Ron has also participated in developing national standards for grass roots cycling attending annual conferences such as the commissaires conference this year in Alton Towers where is comments and insight were well received. He has participated on the West and Central Division board meetings and mentoring and developing many other officials and organisers though out the years.  His modest yet efficient style of officiating being a bonus to any meeting that he attends and his quiet reliability means that once asked you knew that Ron would turn up and do what was asked of him.