Obituary: Staveley Roberts MBE (GBR)

Staveley was an ISAF International Judge from 1982 to 2007 and during that time served on international juries all around the world. In particular, Staveley was closely associated with the Whitbread Round the World Race where he served Jury Chairman at various stopovers.

Staveley was a founding member in 1987 of the Royal Yachting Association's National Judges Sub-Committee and served as its chairman from 1992 to 1999. He was one of the first International Judges appointed by the then IYRU in 1982 and retired in 2007 - his last event was the 8 Metre World Championships run on his native Clyde in that year by his mother club, the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club.

In recognition of his services to yachting in general, and on the River Clyde in particular, he was an Honorary Member of both the the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club (of which club he has was a past commodore) the prestigious Mudhook Yacht Club and the Royal Gourock Yacht Club. He was a past president of the British Flying Fifteen Class Association, chairman of RYA Scotland and served on the main RYA Council for two four year periods.

Queen Elizabeth II honoured Staveley by making him a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to sailing in 2000 and the Royal Yachting Association made him a Judge Emeritus in 2005.

Staveley, a true gentleman, was a great servant to sailing who was greatly admired for his integrity and sharp mind and he will be much missed.