Summer Times, November 2004 - Old Scarborians

ties.At St. Catherine’s Hospice for example, hedesigned and fitted out the library inmemory of Barbara. He worked on receptionevery Friday for 15 years or more. Hedid proof‐reading for them and in theearly days he even did some ironing(some of you might think I made the lastbit up!) A totally different interest was hisfather’s World War 1 diaries. He researchedthoroughly, edited and publishedthe diaries in 1994.And, of course, the theatre. If you couldn’tfind Bob at home, the best bet was to ringthe theatre. Bob was the theatre’s honoraryarchivist and librarian, but also envelopestuffer, poster distributor, and organiser ofoccasional visits to Burton Agnes. Theseoutings were usually in the company ofsome charming young actress. He lovedthe theatre and the people. He gave a greatdeal and received much in return. Asmany of you will know Bob went to thefirst night of ‘Drowning on Dry Land’ thenight before he died. He never missed afirst night. After the play he went to thefirst night party, as usual, where he was tobe found with an actress on each arm. As[his daughter] Pat said, he was the onlyman to go to heaven the night before hedied.I have left out so much; the allotment, thechurch choir, the MS Society, the OldBoys’ Association, The Sophie WinterTrust. Bob would have roundly abused mefor getting it wrong, but then I’d havecursed him too ‐ The mutual exchange ofinsults was part of the fun.If I try to sum up Bob I might say; a man ofgreat integrity and honesty, a committedand inspirational teacher, a loyal friend,20always to be relied on, a scholar; I couldgo on but I’m missing the essence: the enthusiasm,the wit, the great sense of funand good humour. It was the twinkle inthe eye.I should like to end with two quotations,the first from one of Bob’s end of summerterm cabarets. You’ll be pleased to knowthat I shall not attempt to sing it, but you’llknow the tune;“We’ve now reached the end of our part inthis show,Sing Watson, Frank Sutcliffe and Penny.So we’ll wish you the best wherever yougo,Sing Watson, Frank Sutcliffe and Penny.If it’s to run around madly or lie in thesun,Your students will thank you for what youhave done,For you’ve shown them that learning andlife can be fun,Sing Watson, Frank Sutcliffe and Penny.Not a bad epitaph for Bob.And finally an even greater writer, muchadmired by Bob, John Donne, who speaksof our involvement in each other and ofour loss in these well known words:“No man is an island, entire of itself; everyman is a piece of the continent, a part ofthe main; if a clod be washed away by thesea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontorywere, as well as if a manor of thyfriends or of thine own were; any man’sdeath diminishes me, because I am involvedin Mankind; and therefore neversend to know for whom the bell tolls; ittolls for thee.”