Summer Times, November 2004 - Old Scarborians

18Bob WatsonBy Phil Watson (1959-67)My father, Bob Watson,died early on Wednesdaymorning, 5th May. As youknow, he taught English atthe Boysʹ High from 1955until his retirement, goingfrom Westwood, to Woodlandsand finally to the Sixth Form Collegewhere he was Senior Tutor. He hasalso been a great supporter of the OldScabs and has kept contact with many ofthe members and attends various dinnersand functions.For those who want to know, the previousevening he had attended at first nightof the latest Ayckbourn play at theStephen Joseph Theatre, then gone to theʺfirst night partyʺ afterwards where hewas in ʺtop formʺ until the early hours.He then went home but at 5am had chestpains, called an ambulance, went to hospital,seemed to be OK after various testsbut at 7 am suffered a heart attack anddied.As my sister Pat said on hearing that hehad been with all his friends at the theatrepartying for hours ʺhe must be one ofthe few people to have been in heavenbefore he diedʺWhilst Richard, Pat and I and our familiesare very sad to lose him, we are alsothankful that we can remember him assomeone who has had a great life whichhe enjoyed right to the end and much ofthat is due to the friends he made in Scarborough,many of whom are Old Scarborians.The funeral was held on Thursday May13th, at St Josephs Church, Newby.P.S. Coincidentally, I had downloadedand read the latest Summer Times thenight before and read Mick Bowmanʹsreference to Dadʹs 81st Birthday Party atThe Crescent in December. Mick saidsomething to the effect the Dad ʺwas fullof life as usualʺ ‐ Mick was absolutelyright and thank goodness he was like thatright ʹtil the end and that we can all rememberhim like that.Bob WatsonBy Geoff Mountain (Principal6th Form College 1984-1997)(Geoff gave the following address atBob Watson’s funeral service)Bob meant so much to somany of us.I shall do my best to capturesomething of the manand his life. Please forgivemy omissions or blamethem on Bob as he livedtoo full a life for a brief address.Bob was born in 1922, the middle of threechildren. Like his older brother Jack hewent off to boarding school at Laxton,long since closed. There began his lifelonglove of rugby, though initially it wasthe tea after the away games that was thechief attraction, the food at Laxton was sobad.He was an excellent academic and wasexpecting to go to St. John’s College Cambridgewhen the war intervened. Bobserved in the Royal Artillery in Africaand then Italy rising to the rank of captain.Despite the circumstances, he wasinspired with a love of Italy that lasted