RIP Roger Miller
On occasion, the role of Chair requires me to deliver bad news. This is one of the most painful messages I have written.
Roger Miller will be known to many of you. Roger was a friend to many who I had known since childhood. His mum, Jill, and mine were great friends and I got to know Roger and his brothers Jason and Lee really well. It is funny what you remember about somebody when they are no longer with us but I recall Roger was born in the Falkland Islands, an unlikely claim to fame. At that time we would regularly meet up and play the round ball game although ultimately we both saw the light! Roger then went off to Thetford Grammar School and although we regularly caught up it was only when he attended Sixth Form at Wymondham College that we started to play rugby together. Roger was one of the nicest blokes you would ever meet. Highly intelligent, selfless and incredibly funny, he became a stalwart at Wymondham Rugby Club playing many seasons at prop in the senior men’s teams as well as for the Colts team that won the Norfolk Cup in the 1980s. For a big man he was very light on his feet and had a tremendous burst of speed - a mobile prop ahead of his time.
Roger had a love for life and never took things too seriously. These attributes showed themselves most clearly as a rugby tourist and I have included some pictures of tours that we both went on. I particularly like the photo of Roger asleep on the sofa - Roger had a long history of being locked out of his room and having to find alternative sleeping quarters!
After he retired, Roger continued to throw himself into volunteering at the Club as coach and Chair. When he stepped down as Chair, we would see him on a regular basis but family commitments understandably took up more of his time. However, as his young children got a little older, he got in touch with me earlier this year to offer himself up for volunteering. It is supremely sad that we were not able to take him up on that offer.
Roger was only in his very early 50s. When I received a text telling me that he had passed away suddenly, my initial reaction was one of complete and utter disbelief that such a bright light at the Club had been extinguished so early and without any warning at all. I, in common with many others, cannot help but feel how unfair life is. It is such a cliche but how often is it said that the good die young? That statement is never more true than with Roger. He will be missed by many and his passing reminds us all how fragile life is.
Both mine and the Club’s deepest condolences and sympathies go to Roger’s family and friends but in particular to his wife Laura, and his children Danaan, Aisling, James Benjamin and Eleanor Eirlys May. The world is now a much poorer place.
