The Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Donald "Don" Rieland, a cherished member of our rugby family. Known for his speed, agility, and community spirit, Don left an indelible mark on the field.
Jeff Lombard, a close friend, and former teammate, shared heartfelt memories of Don:
“Donny and I opened International Athletic together in 1979 and were partners till 1984. Donny was a great winger, very fast, and a deadly tackler. He is famous for popping the rugby ball off his thigh at a full sprint over the head of his opponent and catching and running in for a try. I last saw him at the CBAA 50th Anniversary, eating BBQ oysters and enjoying the reunion.”
Neil Gardner, another longtime teammate, added:
“Don was one of the original fast guys from Chuckanut! He toured in 1980 with the club.”
The Chuckanut community remembers Don as a kind and generous individual whose spirit truly embodied the values of rugby. To read more about Don’s life, please visit his obituary.
Our thoughts are with Don’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life will be held on December 7th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The United Church of Ferndale.
