Long serving Athletics Auckland official Bert Chapman died on Monday 29 December 2014 aged 80.
He had collapsed in Cornwall Park the day before and was taken to Auckland Hospital.
Bert contribution to the sport has been huge in terms of officiating in the field at countless secondary school and Auckland Centre meetings and New Zealand championships when they have been held in Auckland. He has always been there, reliable and competent. In the winter he officiated at all the Centre cross country and road events and after assisting in setting up the course, marshalled out in the field directing the runners around the correct number of laps. He always had a cheery comment or wave for the runners as they went past.
Bert was a stalwart of the Owairaka Athletic Club, he was made a Life Member of the Club in 1985 and was President 1987-89. He received an Athletics Auckland Merit Award in 2011. He was a member of Athletics New Zealand Officials Association. Bert was a javelin throw official at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games.
His son Grant won the New Zealand decathlon title in 1994 and his daughter Suzanne was a member of the Owairaka women’s team that won the national road relay title on a number of occasions, including 1985, 1989 and 1993 at Akaroa, 1990 at Kaimai and 1991 at Palmerston North.
Bert was also heavily involved with orienteering, having won a national title. He was a long standing member of the North West Orienteering Club. Prior to taking up athletics he was a top cyclist during the 1950’s and 1960’s.
His funeral service will be held tomorrow Tuesday 6 January 2015 at 10.00am at Morrison Funeral Directors 220 Universal Drive Henderson.
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