In Memoriam: Tim Dunning

We regret to announce sad news about a member of the Dartmouth Rugby family. Tim Dunning, who was the President of the DRFC in 1994, passed way last Monday, January 12, 2015. Tim has been described by his coach and teammates over the past few days as extraordinarily dedicated to both the DRFC and the sport of rugby and as someone you would always want by your side in any battle. 

1994 team captain Mike Cicerone remembers Tim with these fond and admiring words:

Many of the specific stories we have are probably best remembered in person over a few beers with the guys, but there are a few things about Tim that stand out. I think you would find it difficult to find someone who was more dedicated to rugby and the DRFC than Tim. During his Dartmouth career, Tim moved from inside center to hooker. Personally, I loved being in the front row, but I understand that it certainly wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

I think Tim’s willingness to play anywhere we needed him really was indicative of how much Tim loved to be on the rugby pitch with his teammates. (At heart, though, Tim was always a back.  Before and after practice he always seemed to be working on his drop-goals. I only remember him trying it once in a game, it was a social side game, and as I remember it, to everyone’s surprise, he nailed the kick to win a game). Tim had a self-deprecating style of humor and was good at bringing out a laugh in his teammates. We will miss him.

Another former Dartmouth Rugby star, Chris Henrich ‘90, who was Tim’s teammate during their time together at Penn Law School, shared the following thoughts:  

Timmy was a good friend of mine and my wife's. He had a sardonic wit and we played together for three years with Philly Whitemarsh while we were attending law school. I am a prop and there is a bond that forms between a hooker and prop that scrum down 25x a match, 12+ matches a season, 2 seasons a year, for three years. He and I battled some of the tougher bastards in US rugby during that time. He was a hell of an athlete, courageous as a lion, a true warrior, and a good friend. One of half a dozen guys I'd choose anytime, anywhere to go to battle with.

Tim was 42 years old. He worked as a corporate lawyer for Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Nebraska. He will be deeply missed by his friends, teammates and family.