"Friends Office . . ." thus, the late Richard (Dick) Tennant, as voluntary chairman of the Friends of the Royal Hospital Donnybrook greeted the countless people who phoned the Friends office week by week for over seven years. Whether making a phone call or a visit to his office in the hospital you were always greeted with an irrespressible exuberance that made you feel you were just the person he wanted to talk to.
Dick was such an enthusiastic organiser that it is difficult to visualise fund raising events, concerts, sales and craft fairs in the hospital without him.
He was always perfectly groomed, sometimes wearing outlandishly coloured ties. He was cheerful, energetic, mindful of others and forever concerned to raise more money for the greater comfort and well being of the patients, most if not all of whom he knew by name.
His interests outside the hospital brought him many distinctions. He became Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Ireland, was awarded its highest honour, the Silver Elk and received the highest honour of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland, the Silver Wolfhound. He was Irish delegate to Scout world conferences from Munich to Senegal and had a worldwide circle of loyal friends. He was on the council of Alexandra College and on the boards of Sandford Park School and Encounter, was chairman of the Mendicity Institute and a director of Creans. He received Rotary's highest award, the Paul Harris Fellowship and was treasurer of the Strollers. The Strollers Band, which he loved so much, gave a glorious rendering of Goin' Home during the funeral service which was attended by a vast crowd. a tribute to this friendly, hospitable and unique achiever for others.
We can now say only "thank you, Dick", and offer our profound sympathy to his loving wife, Sylvia and his grieving family.