Mr Clode was 79.

He served as Group Three president for nine years, replacing Tony Pulbrook from Gloucester. Mr Pulbrook took over as president when the then Group Three and Group Three Saturday League competitions merged before the start of the 1995 competition.

Mr Clode stood down in 2007 as was replaced by current chairman Wayne Bridge.

Mr Clode has been the president of the Group Three Referees' Association before taking on the Group Three president's role.

"I talked him into relinquishing the job with the referees and coming on as the Group Three president,'' former Group Three chief executive Barrie Smith said.

Mr Smith was chief executive (then called secretary) during Mr Clode's tenure as president.

Mr Clode was also a former North Coast Division president and a life member of Group Three, Group Three Referees' Association and North Coast.

"He was a terrific fella,'' Mr Smith continued.

"Dick got on harmoniously with the clubs. He was very much hands on - he wouldn't expect anyone to do a job if he couldn't do it himself.''

Mr Clode was president when Port City formed and joined Group Three and Wauchope returned after a stint playing in Group Two. He was heavily involved with negotiations with Wauchope.

Wauchope and Port Sharks moved to Group Two in 1995. Adding these clubs consolidated the numbers in Group Three following the loss of clubs formerly involved with the Group Three Saturday League.

Mr Clode was also a qualified referee. Away from rugby league he was a keen golfer.

Earlier this year Group Three lost another former president with the death of Warren Kimberley. Mr Kimberley was also a life member of Group Three, North Coast and the Country Rugby League. Mr Kimberley was chairman of the Country Rugby League when Mr Clode was the Group Three president.