My treasured memories of Robert stretch back to the days of our early 20's when we both lived in the Bournemouth area and shared a love of fast cars, and motorsport. As members of W.Hants & Dorset car club, we met at club events, and Robert was an accomplished rally driver and navigator. To say he threw himself into things is an understatement. Both physically and mentally, he overcame struggles that an able-bodied person such as myself cannot imagine possible. In those days (late 70's) if you had a disability you dared not participate in the "normal world" like today - he certainly re-wrote the Rule Book for that one, and his determination and single-mindedness was an inspiration to everyone we met. When competing in rallies eventually became impossible, he turned his attention to restoring a beautiful Lotus Elan Sprint and as you can imagine, his meticulous attention to detail meant it went on to become a National prize winning car.
He always had a brilliant, inventive mind and a great sense of humour! He never stopped absorbing information, and had he been a detective - Robert would have solved the most devious of crimes! That he put other peoples' problems before his own, was further proof that above all else, he was a kind and compassionate person who cared deeply about the world.
As often happens in life, you can lose contact with friends as the years flash by but at least we kept in touch by phone, usually once a year to exchange news. I remember and value those calls and it's hard to accept that a true friend such as Robert is no longer with us.
Our heartfelt thoughts are with Adela, and all his friends on such a sad, sad loss.
from Nigel and Sue Lenton