Richard Smethers (1949-2022)

Gordon Stringer & Dale Vargas write:

25/09/22: Richard Smethers, who has died at the age of 73, was a regular member of the Old Cholmeleians Eton fives team that won the Alan Barber Cup for a record 15 years from 1977 to 1991.

In 1977 he reached the semi-finals of the Kinnaird Cup with Mark Williams after an all-Cholmeleian quarter-final in which they defeated the fourth seeds, Mike Hayes and Robin Rumsam, in a marathon 3-2 match. Richard was also Hon. Secretary of the OC Eton Fives Club.

Richard had been an outstanding school boy at Highgate. He was academically able and an outstanding cricketer and fives player, being awarded school colours from 1966 to 1968 in both sports, together with 2nd XI football colours in 1967-68. He was also Head of House and Head of School.

In his final school report in 1968, the Headmaster described Richard as “exceptionally well organised” having “intelligence, integrity, perseverance, the courage of his convictions, versatility and natural courtesy.”

Richard had many interests: he became a top-class opening batsman in club cricket, mainly for Barnes CC, and was a leading player in the OC Cricketer Cup side. In 1973, Richard scored 53 of an opening century partnership, which inflicted a surprise defeat on the Repton Pilgrims. He was a keen if erratic golfer, an accomplished pianist and sang in choirs throughout his life. He was also most proud to have been admitted as a liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Barbers.

Richard built a successful career as a rubber trader, despite it being a business both competitive and risky. In 1974, he joined the trading desk at Lewis and Peat, then one of the world's oldest and largest distributors of natural rubber. He remained there for 26 years until the company closed down. However, Richard continued to trade rubber, predominantly from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. As the manufacturing and customer base shrank in the UK, Richard developed a network of agents and customers, mainly covering Turkey, Serbia, Greece and Israel. He retired in 2019 and set up his own company, which occupied him during the pandemic.

For much of his adult life, Richard suffered from Crohn’s disease. Although this caused him much discomfort and inconvenience and involved several operations, he was not one to complain of his misfortune. Indeed, it was one of his periods as a patient in St Mark’s Hospital that led to his meeting Caroline, his future wife.

In spite of his successes, Richard was a modest man, totally lacking in self-aggrandisement. His sense of humour and almost impish sense of mischief made him excellent company. His well-attended funeral, ended with three rousing cheers.

Our condolences go to Caroline and their daughter Imogen.