Paul Rutter: 1956-2020
England Athletics are sad to share the news that 2009 winner of the England Athletics Official of the Year award, and the East Regional winner that year and again in 2019, officiating course tutor and friend of England Athletics - Paul Rutter - passed away recently after a heroic 3 year battle with aggressive cancer.
His funeral is being streamed today from 1.15pm at www.obitus.com (username Hapu2644 password 616704). The funeral car will be leaving Quentin Close Ipswich between 12:15-12:30 today so local friends are invited to line the street to join in a moment of applause for Paul Rutter on his final journey.
Find out more and post your memories at www.facebook.com/paul.rutter.108 or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paulrutterf2
We publish a part of his Just Giving obituary below.
At first watching his children in support then slowly Paul began coaching them, along with newcomers to athletics at Ipswich Harriers, his local club. Once the children had flown the nest Paul threw himself into athletics, and after some training began officiating events. He always worked hard, and it showed when he became a top UK official. The 2012 Olympic Games was a proud, all his training and achievements saw him on television showing his love for his craft and growth in his new chosen field.
On the 16 October 2017 after a routine check up for a trip to Australia he was given the frightening news that he may only have 2 months to live.
He attended his treatments with the same attitude and determination he had for his business endeavours, nothing was to stand in his way, he was going to recover. He passed the 2 months milestone, then 6 months, and after a year and his tumour under control he realised that his life had changed due to cancer and he was going to do everything he could to stop others from going through the same life altering experience. He arranged yearly charity walks around his beloved Olympic Stadium with his fellow athletic officials, but most importantly he began trials at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He was prepared to risk his newfound health to aid future treatment for others.
After 3 years of fighting cancer, raising thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK, spreading as much awareness as he could and proving to himself and his family that he could do anything he put his mind to, Paul passed away peacefully on the 16 October 2020, exactly 3 years since his 2 month diagnosis. He never did anything half hearted and was so strong willed all the way through difficult treatments and hospital visits.
Although his adventures with us are over, we hope that those who loved and supported him throughout his career and his illness will remember him as a fighter, a friend, and a comrade.