Foreword: The following obituary has been written by Ashley Tilling, Peter's lifelong friend and crewmate. The club is devastated by the loss of Peter and our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.
Peter Lawson
It is with great sadness that we report the tragic death of Peter Lawson on 11th October 2024.
Peter started rowing in the third form at Tiffin School. By the time he joined the sixth form, his place in the first eight had been secured and he showed the skill and character to be selected to row at stroke. This eight, in which I rowed at bow, enjoyed some success in head races and regattas, and raced at Henley Royal Regatta in two consecutive years, 1973 and 1974. The Tiffin boat was beaten by Groton School, USA, in their first year and by a very accomplished Ealing Grammar School crew in their second year. The average weight of the Tiffin crew was a mere 10st 10lb (68kg); the rather heavier Ealing GS crew included future Olympians John Beattie and Ian McNuff. The experience was treasured by us schoolboys, many of whom continued to row at college.
Peter rowed whilst at Bath University where he read Electrical Engineering. A former Sea Scout, he was always keen on sailing and, after leaving university, he pursued this interest rather than rowing. Peter set his analytical mind to work out how he could improve his performance in any endeavour he undertook. In sailing, he trained and worked hard to pass the Ocean Yachtmaster certification and later, when stationed in the Caribbean, he bought and sailed his own yacht.
Back in the UK, Peter joined Dittons Skiff & Punting Club, and we met again at a skiff regatta where I was able to persuade him to return to rowing at Weybridge Rowing Club. He was soon as effective with a blade as he had been years ago and was a fit and reliable veteran oarsman, often at stroke, in both heads and regattas. He was keen to improve his sculling as well as being a regular in various men’s eights and fours. We competed in doubles, quads, mixed quads and mixed eights as well as in the men’s eight with many fine wins over the last ten years.
To learn more about rowing and sculling technique and how to improve these, he embarked upon a coaching qualification. In Peter’s typical style of ensuring that things should be done properly, to focus on passing the award he spent a season coaching at Walbrook Rowing Club. Upon his return to Weybridge, he volunteered to be the Vice Captain for the men’s squad and was awarded the Spreadbury Cup for his commitment.
Those of us who were able to attend his funeral were touched deeply by the moving eulogies of his son, Adam, his daughter, Claire, and his widow, Helen. On one occasion Helen asked Peter what men talk about when having a shower. We were able to tell her that one such conversation was some eight years ago when Peter was 60 and he announced that he had a new girlfriend. Asked how they had met, he took great pleasure in answering “At the youth club.” Peter and Helen had started to go out when they were sixteen years old after meeting at Tolworth Youth Club. Indeed, I remember that Helen came to watch the school eight at Henley. They went their separate ways as they went off to different universities, both later getting married and raising families. Helen settled in the Peak District where she taught Maths. After both marriages had ended, some years later, searching on the internet for a local dentist with a name like Spreadmount, Helen came across a link to the Spreadbury Cup and the Weybridge website. Peter had just been awarded the Cup and as he was Vice-Captain the website showed his email address. After a few weeks hesitating, Helen decided to contact Peter to see how he was. They met, realised their love for each other and their wedding brought great happiness that brightened the dark days of Covid.
Peter stretched himself in all his endeavours and he was tremendously proud of reaching the pinnacle of skiffing when he and Russell Groom of Dittons Skiff Club won the Men’s Senior Championship event at Henley. Peter and I also enjoyed regularly racing in a double scull; even though we managed some wins at heads and regattas, we both regarded our best result to be when we progressed to the final at the British Masters Championships and won a silver medal.
Whether Peter was rowing, sculling, skiffing, coaching or umpiring, you could be sure of his wholehearted commitment. He willingly took on the challenging role of Chief Umpire at the Silver Sculls, the Weybridge Winter Head and the Walton & Weybridge Regatta.
He was a talented tenor and thoroughly enjoyed music as a member of the Royal Choral Society and three other choirs. Those of us lucky enough to know him will sorely miss his charming and positive company, quirky humour, and his friendship and advice.
Ashley Tilling
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