University College Oxford Record 2020

provided this obituary:
Jerry came up to read Chemistry, under
Tony Orchard, Colin Day and John Albery. He
was an outstanding swimmer and he captained
the University teams in Swimming and Water
Polo and was part of the victorious Modern
Pentathlon team in 1971. He won two full
Blues and seven half Blues at these different
sports. He made many friends both in Univ and
beyond, through his sporting contacts.
In 1969, he met Yvonne Goodwin, who was
studying at Lady Spencer Churchill College.
He followed his Chemistry degree with a
PGCE, and researched the inspirational German
educator, Kurt Hahn, who founded Gordonstoun
in 1934. His first job was at Gordonstoun, to teach
Chemistry, and the following summer, he married
Yvonne. In 1977, they moved to Shrewsbury
School, on John Albery’s recommendation. They
stayed for five years, during which time Charlie
and Ed were born.
In 1982, they all returned to Gordonstoun, as
he had been invited to become Housemaster at
Duffus House. Yvonne was a wonderful partner
in this new role. Charlie commented “they faced
the many challenges of running a boarding house
full of unruly boys. They made a true team and
continued as a loving couple throughout fifty
happy years together.” Three of those boys now
teach at Gordonstoun, and Titus Edge is now the
Headmaster of Gordonstoun. Titus has said that
throughout his career Jerry, in his leadership and
guidance, has been his role model.
In 1990, Jerry became Headmaster of
Ardvreck School, Crieff, Perthshire, and in
1995, he returned to Shrewsbury, to become
Headmaster of Prestfelde School, a Woodard
School with “an actively Christian environment.”
Throughout his teaching career, Jerry only ever
applied for one job. For his other four jobs, Jerry
was recommended by others.
One of the benefits of being a teacher, with
long summer holidays, was that Jerry and Yvonne
were able to build a wonderful family together for
their boys. Both boys went to Shrewsbury School,
and were keen that their parents retire close to
Shrewsbury, if possible, as they have many school
friends in the area. So, on retirement in 2007, they
moved to Harley, near Shrewsbury, where they
made many friends, and became deeply involved
in the life of the village.
With friends, they also went on regular
walking holidays around Europe. Jerry also
became Church Warden of St Mary’s Church,
and became a Trustee of the Shropshire Historic
Churches Trust.
They have been wonderful grandparents to
their six grandchildren. It was on their last visit
to Sydney, to see Ed and his family, in late 2019,
that Jerry began to realise that he was seriously
ill. In his last months, Jerry did all he could to be
well prepared for what lay ahead, in facing the
emotional and practical issues, and strengthened
by his Christian faith.
At his COVID-19 restricted open-air funeral,
Charlie, his son, spoke of Jerry’s qualities and
character. “Dad always faced life seriously, but with
a smile on his face. He gave of his best in every
endeavour, whether social, personal, professional,
or sporting. And he did so with an indefatigable
good humour. Throughout his life – both personal
and professional – Dad placed enormous value
on the importance of community. He understood
so well that communities thrive when everyone
contributes and feels part of something bigger
than themselves. And he was always happy to
lead by example.”
86 University College Record | October 2020