It is with great sadness that the club announces the passing away of Keith Hunt BEM.

John Miller remembers Keith fondly as “the epitome of a RCHC member - whatever roles he took on (and there were many) he carried them out with absolute endeavour and resolve. “Do the job and do it right” would seem to fit the way he set about his varied offices.

He loved his hockey and the people who played it. He had huge enthusiasm for all sports and played them like the true sportsman that he was. A friend to all, young and old, he always had time for a little story, joke and just to ask how you were getting on - all those small things that we will all miss. He cared about people.”

Keith started his “career” at the club when he was asked on day by John Miller, who approached him and said that his team, the Berkshire Boars, were a man short and would Keith like to play against the Hampshire Hogs. “I told him I hadn’t ever played the game, but John said all I needed to do was to keep my head still, stop the ball with my stick and then pass it to a team-mate!”. This was the start of Keith playing hockey which culminated in him being selected for the England Over 75 Grand Masters World Cup in 2014.

His son Tim followed him into hockey and played for Reading and now Wimbledon, and his grandchildren are also “picking up the stick” to follow in his footsteps.

Keith held many roles at the club and he, along with a few others, are the reason why the club is what it is today. His hard work behind the scenes at the Club, in Committee roles, at the Jazz Festival went quietly unnoticed by many, but were deeply appreciated by the few who knew of his contributions; all ably supported by his wife Elaine.

He was recognised in the 2015 New Year’s Honours list with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for "services to Sport and to the Community in Reading and Wokingham, Berkshire".

Even when playing became too much for him, he still came up to the club to support the teams and he turned his hand to umpiring – so that he could continue to be involved and to help when he could.

The club send their thoughts and prayers to his Elaine, Tim and Michelle and all his grandchildren. He will be ever remember by us all as our new scoreboard is dedicated to him by his quote “You have to be there to miss it”.

Keith, we will miss you.