“Doctor Dick” Smidlin’s business card described him as a ‘retired anaesthetist, farmer and diver’ and currently a ‘journeyman, sailor and bargee’. 

The much-liked retired medico and yachtsman died in Sydney on Monday after a protracted battle with cancer that stopped him sailing only in the past few months.

A sailor since a teenager, he had been a member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for the past 22 years, but his membership of Middle Harbour Yacht Club goes back to 1944 where his father Fred was Rear Commodore from 1945 to 1951.

Dick owned and successfully raced several yachts over the years, including the Northshore 38 Invincible and Trim, a Northshore 369 which he was still sailing, with the help of his crew,  earlier this year. 

He was also able to attend a recent Senior Member’s luncheon at MHYC, commenting “my claim to fame is that I’m the longest term member of Middle Harbour!”

Always ready with a warm smile for fellow club members, “Doctor Dick” (as he was known to friends) wore a ‘grin like a Cheshire cat’ after the re-sail of 2006-007 season’s Monica Geddes Memorial Islands Race on Sydney Harbour  – and well he should have!

He had skippered his Trim into second place in the CYCA’s Short Haul PHS division of the Monica Geddes Race and thus clinched a delayed victory in the 2006-2007 Short Haul Spring Pointscore.

Trim is named after Matthew Flinders’ cat, a feline almost as famous as its illustrious owner who charted much of the continent of Australia more than two centuries – both have had books written about them.

A contemporary drawing of Trim the cat is mounted on the bulkhead of the saloon of Trim the yacht, while a large black cat outline is on the yacht’s mainsail.

Whilst always a keen racing sailor,  Dick was a strong supporter of the CYCA Cruising Division, talking to members about his experiences in barge cruising in the canals of France and trips (by ship) to Antarctica.  He had planned a fine barging voyage this year but his health deteriorated sharply.

Many will sadly miss “Doctor Dick”, whether they are anaesthetists (or his one-time patients), farmers, divers, journeymen, sailors or bargees, or just people who had had the enjoyment of meet him once or twice.  – Peter Campbell

•  Members will be advised as soon as possible of funeral arrangements.  Please watch this website for details.