Tribute to Robert Murray
Eric Sutherland has been in contact and has kindly sent me a transcript of the eulogy he gave at Robert Murray’s funeral. Eric, a close friend of Robert’s, was a Scottish Internationalist in the 1960s and 70s when Robert was Director of Coaching and Scottish Team Manager.
ROBERT MURRAY
There are so many nice things I could say about Robert who has been a great friend for over 40 years but I would like to concentrate on two main areas. First his great love for table tennis. He loved the sport and people involved in it. He had a great passion for it and combined this with a great vision of what it could be like. He did not like mediocrity and so always had a great ambition to make a real difference. He did that throughout his involvement with Central (his club), through the various roles within the West of Scotland TTL and of course his involvement with the Scottish Table Tennis Association.
There are so many things I could mention but I believe his greatest input was when he was the Director of Coaching and involvement with the international team. Through his efforts so many new young people and coaches were introduced into the game and they were helped to achieve their real potential. He created a buzz and momentum and belief that we were going places.
He was great at international tournaments where he networked brilliantly and developed very close relationships with the Japanese Association and in particular Ogimura (World Champion). And a result of his efforts some of our players went to Japan to train and a top player came from Japan to play and train with our players. It was the equivalent of Pele training with the Faroe Island players. I exaggerate to make the point but it was a real coup and it was because of Robert.
But all of that is less important than Robert the man –our friend. So what was he like?
Intelligent –he always explained things simply from what seemed like very complex issues. More importantly he never talked down to people.
Engaging – he was a great listener. Always seemed more interested in what you had to say. He always made you feel good about yourself by emphasising the things you had done well by simple interjections of “that’s marvellous” or “great”.
Loyal – if you were his friend that was a badge of honour you wore for life. He was certainly always there for you.
Sense of fun and humour – of course he could be serious but he loved nothing better than a good laugh and there was many a time when we would resort to some boyish and uncontrollable giggling – often I could hardly remember the reasons.
Last year I asked if him there was anything he wanted to do. He replied “Eric I have a great life and have done everything that I have wanted to do and have no regrets”. I thought a wonderful place to be – if everyone could say that at the end of their life wouldn’t that be fantastic.
It was a real privilege to have him stay with myself and Sandra at New Year. It was just like old times with Terry, Leslie, Richard, Violet, Cameron, Brian and Karen and of course with the rest of our family Mark, Steven, Tracy and wee Freya. It was the most joyous of occasions and we will all look back on that time with great fondness.
I am sure that we will all miss him but when I recall it will be with a smile on my face to remember all the happy memories. I am sure I am speaking on behalf of us all.