In Memoriam
This page is dedicated to band members no longer with us.
BRUCE NEILL
Bruce came to the band when his daughter Erin wanted to learn, and when we found out he was an experienced snare drummer from his days in the Transcona Pipe Band, it wasn't long before his sticks were out. Bruce jumped in to help setup our youth pipe band, and he taught snare and played LD. Later, he came to the Grade 2 band, where he played in the corps on both snare and rhythm tenor.
Bruce retired from competing and took on leadership of the RCMP Pipe Band in Regina, where he served for many years, and travelled the World playing with RCMP pipe bands and tattoos and other occasions. Bruce had a PhD in entomology and worked for years at the PFRA Experimental Farm at Indian Head. He was also a keen conservationist, an avid hiker and outdoors enthusiast, and he led a group in Indian Head that saved a historic movie theatre and turned it into a thriving arts centre and theatre.
RIC CLEMENCE
Ric learned to drum in the Fraser Pipe Band in Regina along with his five siblings, who all contributed to bands in the area. Ric joined the organization at the very start of our youth band program, taking on the role of LD and teaching young drummers. He came to the Grade 2 band to play rhythm tenor, before retiring from competition. Ric played at various times with the Regina Police Service Pipe Band and the Regina RCMP Pipe Band, and served as that band's LD for a few years. He also taught snare drumming to cadets and Navy League youth.
Ric was a gifted artist, making leather and wood items, very often contributing items to bands and Highland Games for auction. He operated his own mobile welding and repair business for many years, and later trained as a medic and first responder.
RYAN SULLIVAN
Ryan was LD of the band for a few years, and later came back to play for a couple of seasons, travelling to Scotland and the World Pipe Band Championships with the band. Ryan learned to drum in Moose Jaw with the White Hackle Pipe Band, and at a very young age was recruited to play with the Alberta Caledonia grade 1 band. He was a great player, LD and a good friend to many in the band. In later years, Ryan was LD of the Rocky Mountain Pipe Band in Calgary, reuniting with CRPB alumnus Sean Somers to create an excellent band.
BRIAN FRASER
Brian was the CRPB's bass drummer for a number of memorable seasons. He was involved in a car accident in Winnipeg October 29, 2005. This is a page in his memory.
Brian never really planned to play in the band. He had already moved from Regina to Yorkton [about a 2-hour drive] and stopped in to a practice one day when he was visiting in Regina. We had no bass drummer, and asked him to "just play some tunes with us for the day." He often joked about that afterward. "You KNEW I wouldn't be able to say 'No'," he'd say. Yeah, we knew.
Brian was one of a very people who could make that work: playing bass from that distance. He was committed to the band, and he showed up more than some members right in town. We could always count on Brian. We know that was in part due to how supportive his family was. Sandy and the three kids were as enthusiastic about Brian's part in the band as he was, and that allowed Brian to do his thing.
One of Brian's proudest moments was winning "Best Bass" in the Grade 2 event at the North American Pipe Band Championships in Maxville, ON in 1997.
TIM DIXON
Tim Dixon died suddenly on August 16, 2001. Tim was a band member for a number of years, and proved to be an excellent musician, a good friend, and a great band member. He was loyal to the lead drummers he played under, and loyal to the band.
We are going to miss Tim's free spirit—his tie-dyed, dreadlocked, hemp-wrapped appearance, his sense of humour, and his kindness to others. Tim was a gentle soul with a great heart, and he loved his music and his friends, and was good to both.
Tim loved pipe bands and pipe band music, and he was also a part of other music groups, such as the Celtic band "Iron Brew" and a regular member of various drumming circles and groups in Regina.