Vale – Richard See

Born 7 January 1935, Passed Away 24 December 2018.

Long term Eastern Suburbs Roosters lock forward, Richard See, passed away on Christmas Eve in a Bronte nursing home. More commonly known as ‘Dick’, he was just two weeks short of his 84th birthday. A good all-round sportsman from his early days at Waverley College, Dick was an excellent rugby union and water polo player, as well as a first class swimmer.

He grew up at Bronte and as a member of the Bronte swim and water polo club, enjoyed a lot of success at water polo, playing with the Thornett brothers, John, Dick and Ken. While at school, he played rugby union but in 1955 tried out for the Eastern Suburbs Presidents Cup team. He was selected for this team, which won the competition after beating St. George 23-5 in the final in the curtain raiser to the third Australia-France Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 23 July 1955. Dick played both lock and second-row in this high standard side. During the last few matches of the 1955 season, he played a couple of third grade games for Easts.

In 1956, he began the season in third grade but quickly after three matches was promoted to the reserve grade team. He made his first grade debut at the old Sports Ground in the 23-16 win against Parramatta on 27 May 1956, but had played with the Easts first grade side two weeks before this against Monaro at the Sports Ground. His first try in the top grade came at Cumberland Oval on 29 May 1960 in Easts 28-16 win over Parramatta.

Altogether, he played eight successive seasons with the Roosters finishing with 91 top grade games, including the 1960 Grand Final against St. George where they went down 31-6. He then moved to Newtown where he played five first grade games. His final game in the top grade was at Belmore Oval on 8 August 1964 in Newtown’s 27-5 win against Canterbury. He scored a try the week before at Henson Park in Newtown’s 15-11 win over Western Suburbs. Dick injured his leg against Canterbury on 8 August and played no more competition football. He did play for Newtown at Queanbeyan in the 18-14 win against the locals in the 1964 end of season visit and retired after this game. \

As well as sport, Dick had an excellent academic record and completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney. For many years he had chemist shops in several Sydney suburbs. Former New South Wales, Easts and Newtown centre, Bob Keyes, is Dick’s brother-in-law, after marrying his younger sister, Julie.

Dick is survived by his wife June of 56 years, their four children, Patrick, Catherine, Andrew and Jane , plus seven much loved grandchildren. Dick’s Mass of Christian burial was held at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Victoria Street Waverley on Thursday 3 January.

Rest in Peace, Dick.