It has been 12 years since I saw Blair and I don't want to say Good Bye. I joined CRC in 2007, Blair was manager. His spirit always seemed to be "Hang in. You will progress from here." With him the club surely did: slide out boat racks, update for the rowing tub, simple gym floor cushions for the winter, a double eight for training, endless grant applications for new boats and the like. The regattas, building up keep, and year end banquets came and went. He always kept the "volunteer chasm" stocked. Again in 2007, Blair and Judy coached me on the water. It help make CRC feel like good family and, by example, that, if you over commit a bit, you too can call yourself a rower. As a coach, he taught me to hold the skulls in my hands like a suitcase. I pass that advice to every newbie. And now, Blair has left. I am still rowing. Blair is in my heart so many times when I row or reflect on my days with CRC.
