‘His contributions to the museum are immeasurable’

STEVE O’Connor, director of the River & Rowing Museum in Henley, paid tribute to Tom Weil.

He said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tom, a remarkable rowing historian, collector, and philanthropist, who played an enormous role in preserving the heritage of rowing.

“Tom’s contributions to the River and Rowing Museum are immeasurable. His generosity extended far beyond his extraordinary collection of rowing artefacts, as he was a constant source of wisdom, advice, and unwavering support for our team for more than two decades.

“On behalf of the board of trustees, I know Tom brought a unique combination of knowledge, curiosity, and kindness. As many have said about him, he was known to end all conversations with the words, ‘What can I do to help?’— a testament to his enduring commitment to our mission.

“His collection, one of the largest in the world, has enriched our museum in ways that are hard to quantify. We are grateful for his friendship and his invaluable contributions, which will continue to inspire and educate future generations.

“Tom will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the history he helped preserve.”