A world-renowned St John’s College engineer famed for founding Cambridge University Rugby League Football Club has died at the age of 78.
Dr Richard ‘Dick’ Ernest McConnel BE ME DPhil PhD was a Fellow in Engineering and formerly College Lecturer, Supervisor and Director of Studies in Engineering, Director of Studies in Management Studies, Tutor and acting Junior Bursar of St John’s, as well as a University Lecturer in the Department of Engineering.
He died on Saturday 13 June 2026.
Dr McConnel’s pioneering research focused on composite steel and concrete structures, lightweight domes and large span roofs.
He is internationally renowned for his expertise in structural mechanics, including for his contribution to the authoritative reference book, Space Grid Structures, which covers the geometry, design, and construction of lightweight, three-dimensional frameworks.
Professor Tom Hynes, Emeritus Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Fellow of St John’s, said: “Dick was a greatly valued colleague. As Director of Studies for many years, he was the pillar of Engineering in College.
“His supportive but relaxed and laconic style, together with his wicked sense of humour, made him popular with students, staff and colleagues. His many tales of the reality of engineering projects, based on his consulting experience, in particular seemed to inspire his students.”
Dr McConnel, who grew up in New Zealand, was a prominent figure in College and University sports. As an engineering undergraduate at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, he had played a major role in establishing the New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Students Rugby League and was the first player to be awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to Merton College, Oxford, where he did his DPhil.
“His supportive but relaxed and laconic style, together with his wicked sense of humour, made him popular with students, staff and colleagues”
The New Zealander’s arrival at St John’s as a College Lecturer in 1980 was the catalyst for the establishment of Cambridge University Rugby League Football Club.
He went on to organise the first unofficial Rugby League friendly against his alma mater, Oxford, which paved the way for the Varsity Rugby League.
Professor I Nick McCave, Emeritus Woodwardian Professor of Geology and Fellow of St John’s, said Dr McConnel was ‘a consummate sportsman’. It was by a twist of fate that he brought Rugby League to Cambridge.
“Dick came up to Oxford from New Zealand to do a DPhil in Engineering in the 1970s. In New Zealand he had played Rugby League. At Oxford in those days there was no Rugby League (13-a-side) only Rugby Union (15-a-side). At that time there was a strict separation of the two codes so that if you had ever played League you were not permitted to play Union,” said Professor McCave.
“Dick was on his way to a rugger Blue in Rugby Union when it was noted that he had played League in New Zealand. That route to a Blue being blocked he picked up a stick and got a hockey Blue instead!
“When the time came, Dick promoted Rugby League in Cambridge and coached the University side.”
Dr McConnel was also a stalwart of the College’s Lady Margaret Boat Club Fellows’ VIII vessel and has his name on ‘blades’ – rowing oars crews earn for winning races – from 1989 and 2000.
Professor McCave, who used to sit behind Dr McConnel in the St John’s Fellows’ boat, said he did a great deal for College sport as Senior Treasurer of the Field Clubs for more than 20 years, together with the Head Groundsman Keith Ellis, making sure students had all the facilities they could need on St John’s Playing Fields.
Dr AC (Ricky) Metaxas, Fellow in Engineering at St John's College, described Dr McConnel as ‘a young-at-heart Tutor’.
“Dick was very much liked by his tutees, fondly remembering his end-of-the-year hog roast at the Fellows’ Garden and chatting to them while participating in a game of croquet.
“A keen sportsman, often seen at the boathouse and in the sports pavilion. Rugby and rowing were his great passions and for many years he participated in the annual President’s Cup golf tournament until his back problem prevented many of his sport activities.
“I recollect a recent occasion when during a dinner for past students, a number of his tutees asked after him, regretting his absence and not being able to reminisce in person. Always available for advice, he was a veritable Cambridge don.”
Dr Ian Wilson, who succeeded Dr McConnel as Senior Treasurer of Cambridge University Hockey Club (CUHC), said CUHC members will be sad to hear of his death.
“Dick was the Wanderers Senior Treasurer for many years before becoming CUHC Senior Treasurer. Dick was instrumental in the merging of the men's and women's clubs in the early 2000s and served as Senior Treasurer until 2013. A keen Kiwi sportsman, he was also a founding father of the CU Rugby League Club.“
Dr McConnel’s funeral will take place on Monday 22 June at 3pm at Brinkley Woodland Cemetery, Newmarket, Suffolk.
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