After valiantly battling pancreatic cancer for the last 2-3 years, Keith Long, “Fridge”, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Ron Elliott has written some beautiful words about Keith, which we share below.

Memories of Keith by Ron Elliott

It is with immense sadness that I write of the passing of Keith Long yesterday afternoon, surrounded by his loving family. Keith has borne his illness the way he had conducted his life – never complaining and always quick to think of others first. He kept his amazing sense of humour right to the final whistle having enjoyed a fantastic weekend away with his 5 closest schoolmates the weekend before.

Playing for the Midwives was one of the great joys of his life. He loved the friendships forged on the lush grass at Lime Meadow Avenue. He loved the tours abroad with his great mates. And he loved telling of his first ever try for the Mids, a sprint from the 25 yard line, swerving past the oppo fly half and fullback to score with an elegant swallow dive in the corner. He repeated this story at the weekend. (Those of us who actually witnessed it would never be so uncharitable as to suggest it was more of a flump from two paces out!).

Keith leaves behind an enormous legacy of love, loyalty and simply that of being a thoroughly good bloke, much in keeping with another recently departed, legendary Old Mid, Jim Goodman.

Keith was immensely, immensely, proud of his three children. All three gained rowing scholarships to universities in the USA. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Heidi won the World Championships last August as stroke in the GBR Four and is currently in training for the Paris Olympics. Sam is forging a career in New York after completing his degree at Berkeley in California and Joe is currently studying and rowing at Yale.

Our hearts go out to Jill, who has been his devoted carer during his illness, his children Heidi, Sam and Joe, his mum and dad, Kay and Vic, and his two brothers, Mark and Ian and the rest of his wider family.

Keith, if we all lived our lives the way you lived yours the world would be a happy, respectful and funny place. We’d also all be wearing cargo shorts. From all of us in the Midwives family, you will never be forgotten.

Well said, Ron. RIP, Keith.

[The picture features Keith playing for Combined London Old Boys RFC]