Former club president fondly remembered

Robin Todd, who served as club president from 2002-5, was a kind hearted, generous and hard working man with a great sense of humour.

Toddy passed away last week after battling cancer. He was 75. He is survived by his wife Heather, his son and two daughters, Heather's three sons and several grandchildren.

He grew up in the small western Southland town of Nightcaps and later worked as an electrician in the coal mines in neighbouring Ohai. A keen sportsman, he represented Western Southland and South Otago in rugby before a successful stint as coach of the local club. 

The family then moved to Kurow in North Otago where he and Heather ran the local store and Toddy was affectionally known as `Arkwright' for his ability to fix things. They shifted to Nelson in 1966 where he worked as a repair man for Handy Hire before starting his own business, Todd Electrical.

He joined Waahi Taakaro Golf Club, quickly making friends before serving on the club management committee and later as president. One of his Saturday rituals was to bet with Rod Thomason for a fiver or a beer who could have the least number of putts on the practice green before teeing off.

Their love of the outdoors say Toddy and Heather join the local 4-wheel drive club and fishing club and he was known for his annual tenting and fishing safaris.

They left Nelson about 2008 to travel around Australia, eventually settling at Lakes Entrance, Victoria where both join the local bowls club and quickly became involved in the small community there. However, he he was always inquiring about his mates back at Waahi Taakaro and how the club was going.

He will be sadly missed.  Our deepest condolences go to his family.