Goodbye Bob Nye – Passing of a Club Legend

Dear Members

It is with profound sadness that we share news of the passing of club legend, Bob Nye.

Bob slipped away peacefully at 3:15am September 12, 2025 at the Ian Anderson Hospice with his wife Liz by his side. Bob will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

About Bob

Although not an original club founder, Bob joined Crusaders Rugby Club in its infancy and was a proud and staunch supporter of all Crusaders teams,. From minis to seniors, men and women, all the way to the end, regularly watching club games in person when he was able, and online when he was not.

Together with his own anthem and an incredibly broad fan club, Bob was never short of an anecdote (or ten), most of which were repeated often but always told with fresh enthusiasm. People hung off his every word and would occasionally be treated to a new story so fantastical, it was barely believable… and certainly never publishable. Whether he was crooning a rat pack classic or telling a terrible joke, he always kept his audience in the palm of his hands. Wherever he may be now, spare a thought for whoever is tasked with the impossible challenge of keeping him on the straight and narrow!

Celebration of Life

Details of Bob’s funeral are still to be determined, however, it will be a private family gathering.

Crusaders Rugby Club will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Bob on Saturday October 4, 2025 (from 1pm) at the clubhouse. More details will follow, but if you knew Bob, you are kindly asked to save the date.

Please be encouraged to pass on this sad news to Crusaders Alumni and others who knew Bob.

Please share with us in conveying our kindest regards, deepest sympathies and condolences to Bob’s family, particularly his wife Liz.

Your Family in Rugby – Crusaders Rugby Club