Univ Record 2018

Bernstein retired from TCB after 20 years to work with his wife, Sue, running creative
workshops. Most recently, he was a managing partner at Kelland Communications
Management, a consultancy specialising in corporate, internal and external
communications. He was also a former chairman of St Martin’s School of Art.
In 1982 he was awarded the Advertising Association’s prestigious Mackintosh Medal
for “outstanding personal and public service to advertising.” He became a trustee of
the History of Advertising Trust soon after the charity was established in 1974 and
remained so until his death. Geoff Russell, HAT’s chairman, said: “David was one of the
industry’s true legends. He maintained his interest in HAT to the end of his life and was
fundamental in defining HAT’s role and relevance to the industry.”
David is survived by his wife, three children and four grandchildren.
[Much of the above information is drawn from a tribute by John Tylee which appeared
on the website Campaign on 30 August 2017].
ROGER GROVE SMITH (Ardingly) died in 2017 aged 90. He read History at Univ. He
became a teacher, first working as an assistant History teacher at Lord Wandsworth
College in 1953. In 1959, he became Headmaster of the British School in Tehran, Persia,
1959, but then in 1970 returned to the UK to become Master of the Junior School at
Ardingly.
1950
SIR VS NAIPAUL: See Honorary Fellows, above.
1952
COLIN ARTHUR AKERS (Canford) died on 27 November 2017 aged 86. He read PPE
at Univ. We are most grateful to his best man Ken Hayward for supplying this tribute:
To put it mildly, Colin led a full life, and being the perfect gentleman he managed
that without harming anyone else. He was always polite and respectful, and his diffident,
almost shy, manner endeared him to his friends, and made acquaintances very comfortable
in his company.
Generous with his time and his possessions (he never went anywhere without a
bottle or “entrance fee” in the boot), the remembrance of birthdays and special occasions
was almost second nature. This generosity to others was nowhere better shown than in
his devotion to his brother. Peter had Down’s Syndrome and whenever possible Colin
included him in his activities, and trips to places and musicals in London were enhanced
for us all by Peter’s obvious enthusiasm and enjoyment.
Just when we were all resigned to Colin being a confirmed bachelor he met the love of
his life at a Dempster dinner party, and at the tender age of 47 he became a married man.
Needless to say he made a success of that as well, and he and Jean have been a happy and
devoted couple for almost 40 years.
His achievements in many spheres are too numerous to mention but I would like to
highlight a few. His deep interest and commitment to sport was fostered at Canford.
Broxbourne Sports Club became a beneficiary of this interest in a big way. The Clubhouse
is home to the Cricket, Hockey and Squash sections, and hosts many other activities.
Colin was Chair of the Management Committee when the project was envisaged,
designed, funded and built.
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