---

Alejandro José Risler [pictured], co-founder of Argentinian bunker company Risler S.A., passed away on Monday night, 12th August, in Buenos Aires, following a long battle with cancer. He was aged 62.

The funeral was performed yesterday in Rosario - the city where he was born.

In addition to being a well-known figure in the bunker industry and a long-standing board member of The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), Risler was also a respected member of Argentina's rugby community.

He was president of the Argentine Rugby Union (Unión Argentina de Rugby, UAR) in 2006 and 2007, having been treasurer between 2002 and 2006. He was also a board member at Unión de Rugby de Buenos Aires.

At Club Atlético del Rosario, Risler was player, captain, coach and president. He also played for the national team during its tour of Wales in 1976 and represented Rosario in matches against England, New Zealand and Romania.

Club Atlético del Rosario remained closed yesterday as a mark of respect for Alejandro Risler.

In an emailed message issued today, bunker firm Risler S.A described its chairman as a "beloved husband, father and grandfather, brilliant human being with all persons he could talk to, help, be there just for you in any kind of occasion."

The company added: "Those who had the privilege to know him and to work with him, will never forget his words, smile, sense of humour and huge knowledge, which was always used to teach about this business and about life."