The death took place yesterday of Ken Reid, a man who rendered outstanding service to the game of rugby in this country in the diverse roles he filled at club, provincial and national levels. He celebrated his 70th birthday in February.

His death came after a protracted illness that he fought to the very end with characteristic courage and resolution. He never lost the hope that he would overcome the problem as he had done a few years previously when the illness initially occurred.

He was educated at Methodist College, Belfast. After playing at schools level, he played for Collegians and, while studying in Dublin University, for the Old Wesley club. He then made a profound impact at administrative level.

After becoming Collegians' representative on the Ulster Branch, he was subsequently elected president of the branch in 1980-81. The year after serving as president, he took over as honorary secretary and served in that capacity for nine years.

He was an Ireland selector from 1975-76 to 1978-79. He was manager of the Ireland team that toured France in the summer of 1988 and the team that toured USA and Canada in 1989. When the IRFU decided to appoint a manager to the national team on an annual basis, it was Ken who filled that position, which embraced the chairmanship of the national selection committee, from 1990 to 1992.

He managed the team that toured Namibia in the summer of 1991 and he led the party in the World Cup in 1991. He was the only man to manage Ireland on three overseas tours. He was Ireland's representative on the Lions selection committee for the tour to New Zealand in 1993.

He was a member of the IRFU committee from 1983 to 1996 and was president of the union in 1994-95. Known and respected as an assiduous worker and contributor, he never failed to answer the calls when they came, and there were many, to serve the game in whatever capacity - and few served it better. In every role he occupied he brought to his tasks the diligence and integrity that were the hallmarks of the man.

Ulster was the first branch to appoint a PRO and it was Ken who initially occupied that position. His unfailing courtesy, attention to detail and depth of knowledge of what the role embraced made him an ideal choice.

He also served for a time as manager of the Ulster team after the game went professional and he was a central figure in the administration of the European Cup in 1995-96. He acted as co-ordinator for the ERC (European Rugby Cup) on a voluntary basis in that inaugural season of the competition. He was especially delighted when Ulster won the cup two years ago and by the success that has marked the competition.

In his very distinguished career, he also served for a time as chairman of the Northern Ireland Sports Council.

His outstanding contribution to the game was recognised two years ago when he was inducted into the Rugby Writers of Ireland Guinness Hall of Fame. He was awarded the OBE last January and had been due to be presented with that award next July.

A former headmaster of Grosvenor High School in Belfast, he saw rugby reach a new high in the school when, for the first and only time, Grosvenor won the Ulster Schools' Senior Cup in 1983.

Ken Reid is an immense loss to the game in this country. He will be greatly missed by a wide-embracing circle of friends but nowhere more so than in the happy and hospitable home he shared in Belfast with his wife Patricia (Paddy) and his sons Michael, the current chief executive of the Ulster Branch, and Stephen, a former Ireland schools international. Sincere sympathy is extended to the family.