New Zealand Football is mourning the loss of one of its cherished life members, Robert (Bob) Bovelander.

Bob passed away peacefully on the evening of 28 March at the age of 90 after a brave battle with cancer.

He gave many years of service to football, his affable and warm nature endearing him to all he came into contact with as a team manager and administrator.

After acting as manager for the senior men’s team at Auckland’s East Coast Bays, he later became secretary of the club and was made a life member in 1980.

He also served on the control board of the Auckland Football Association in the mid-1990s and likewise became a life member of that organisation. 

When the current federation system replaced the associations in 2000, his service to the beautiful game was further recognised by becoming a life member of both the Northern Football Federation and Auckland Football Federation.

He served Northern Football in the early federation years as President, where his keenness to see change for the good, his strong set of values, and a remarkable willingness to embrace and utilise technology in the delivery of sport and communication helped shaped much of what the organisation is today.

Bob also managed many Auckland and Northern representative teams. 

He received yet another life membership when that honour was bestowed upon him by New Zealand Football in 2006.

According to Bob’s family, he was always passionate about football and watching a match at home with him was not for the faint-hearted as he expressed his unfiltered opinions loudly and often. 

Away from the football pitch, he was a very dearly beloved husband of Adriana; greatly adored father of Marcus, Katinka, Vivienne and Matthew; beloved father-in-law of Dennis, Bruce and Claudia; beloved Opa to Luke, Micaela, Kaleb, Sean, Annette, Mieke, Thomas, Kevin, Michael, Theresa, Marlies, Tessa, Gabriel and Raphael; and loved great Opa to 10 great grandchildren.

He was also deeply loved by brothers, sisters and family in both the Netherlands and New Zealand.

A Requiem Mass will be held at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Orewa, with a notice providing the time and date to be given when possible.

Article added: Wednesday 01 April 2020