It is with sadness that we report the passing of one of our founder members: Bob Beale, who died peacefully on Sunday 26th April.

 

Chris Chevasse, who is one of our members, remembers Bob as an "energy maker" and "CTG was only one string to his rich and varied life.  He will be missed and remembered fondly by many."

 

"One particular memory I have of the motivating force that was Bob was when he corralled the local rugby team to come and pick up our shed and move it to its present location!  And of course, he chose the combination code for its padlock to match the birth date of his wife Hilary."

 

Bob was born in Kent and after reading English at Cambridge he started teaching at Watford GS.He joined the staff of Pate,s Grammar School for Boys (as it was then) in 1967 as Head of English and then became Deputy Head in the mid 1970s. He played a major role in the planning process during the merger of the two Grammar Schools in 1986 and continued as Deputy Head until retirement in 2001.

 

In his retirement he did 10 years as a volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau, based mainly in Stroud, a position in which he showed his customary enthusiasm and attention to detail.

 

He was a keen rugby player in his younger years at The Old Pats, and retained his links with The Old Pats after his retirement from playing.He also sang in the Police Choir, and was a competent ballroom dancer, one of the things which attracted Hilary to him.

 

In recent years Hilary and Bob moved up to the Wirral to be nearer their son William. Bob was delighted that their bungalow had a large garden with some fine mature trees in it. After Hilary's death he moved into an annex in Will's house, and then on to a care home.

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Bob and Hilary visited CTG a few years back,

and he is pictured here with Hilary on that day.​