VALE: Mervyn Alan Stumer 18.12. 1937 – 21.08.2025
MERV Stumer was a true friend and a mentor to many, a hard-as-nails player in a different time for rugby league when tough was typical.
He went on to become a straightforward coach who taught the basics; tackle hard and run hard.
But, contrary to the playing style of his day, he refused to allow any rough play.
His firm but fair values on the rugby league field extended to his family, who loved him for teaching them principles that are referred to nowadays as old-fashioned.
The players respected him and he loved mentoring them but he never wanted the limelight.
That even extended to his funeral: no service, just have a wake at Norths clubhouse and have a beer on me.
Merv’s commitment to Ipswich rugby league ran for 64 years, from 1954 when he started playing for Railways to 2017. The game was his life.
Ipswich league figure Bomber Breeze called him the Godfather of Ipswich rugby league. He was, Bomber said: “One of the best blokes I have had the pleasure of knowing through rugby league.”
Merv played with the legendary Dud Beattie and players he coached included Dick Tazelaar, Kevin Walters and Allan Langer.
In 2018, Kevin Walters wrote an article for the QRL website that paid tribute to Merv Stumer.
“I still remember Merv Stumer, who coached us for a few years at Ipswich representative level, and his three Bs – no biff, booze or bad language,” Walters said.
“They were wise words that have stuck with me.”
But more than anything he achieved on the field, Merv was a family man.
Son Gary Stumer said his father was many things: a provider, a teacher a protector, a friend.
“But most of all he was my dad,” Gary said.
“And being his son has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.
“My dad taught me more than how to ride a bike or change a tyre. He taught me how to live with respect.
“He taught me that doing the right thing is what really mattered. He made time for people. He listened. But when he spoke, you listened too because you knew he meant every word.”
Merv Stumer was born in Marburg and lived in Ipswich most of his life apart from a stint in Collinsville during the war where his coal mining father was relocated.
Merv started his electrical apprenticeship with the railways at North Ipswich in 1954. He then became head electrician for the Haighmoor Colliery in Tivoli.
He completed his career at Jeebropilly mine at Amberley, finishing in 1997.
Merv also did National Service from January 3, 1956 to June 30, 1960. He was proud of that.
Railways football club merged with Northern Suburbs in 1968.
The name change was due to the perception that you had to work for the railways to play for them.
Merv played for Railways from ’54 to ’67 and Norths in ‘68 and ’69.
There were many stories Merv shared with family and friends about his playing days.
“When he was playing, he was no angel. He didn’t mind a blue,” Gary said.
“They used to line up on the halfway line and shake hands with the opposition. Someone baited him and the old man clocked him. The ref sent him off and the old man said: ‘You can’t send me off, the game hasn’t started’.”
But when he coached the juniors, including Gary, Merv did a turnaround.
“He never let anyone throw a punch or anything,” Gary said.
“I remember when we were training, we had Kevin Langer in the side – you know what the Langers are like – and if anyone was mucking around, the old man would just go and we’d be left standing there.
“When you came back the next time, you behaved yourself. You learned very quickly.”
Merv didn’t play favourites even with his son. Gary was captain the previous year but when Merv became his coach in under 13, Dick Tazelaar was made captain.
When junior football started in Ipswich, so did schoolboy football and Merv coached the North Ipswich school team.
“One year the team he coached scored 806 for and three against,” Gary said.
