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www there his professional life began by working at Arthur D. Little (ADL) Consulting, where his early career was focused on Alcoa and Brazilian Steel.
“After ADL he harnessed his entrepreneurial spirit and co-founded multiple companies in both the energy and steel industries. He was able to leverage his international experiences and enter the venture capital world with Advent International, where he had Asia/Pacific management responsibilities.
“Outside of his professional life, Christopher was an avid sportsman on the golf course, tennis court and in the woods, hunting pheasant and quail. He especially enjoyed the unique relationship between hunting and working with his superbly-trained gun dogs. Beyond sport, he was a gourmet chef and often said that if he were not a businessman, he’d love to be reincarnated as a butcher.
“As a loving husband and father, he was most happy sharing a meal and reconnecting on the adventures and professional accomplishments of his family. He appreciated his unique position of trying to raise two American sons and never understanding the subtleties of what that meant compared to his English childhood. Needless to say, he never was able to throw a curveball, nor were his sons able to bowl around the wicket!”
Guy Sutcliffe (C)
died 15th November 2017.
The following obituary is taken from the St. Ives Times & Echo:
Guy was born in 1936 near Bradford, West Yorkshire, and was four years old when war broke out. When he was five, he went to the local boarding school and then on to Oundle School, where he became a member of the choir. The worshipful aspect of school life
fascinated him and led to his confirmation. After this he attended a 12-month period of practical horticultural training at Knaresborough and then served two years in National Service in the Army.
Guy met Erica in 1960 and they married in 1963. He worked as a glasshouse and heating engineer for Robinsons of Winchester and his travels took him all over the West Country and he got to know Cornwall quite well. They lived in Winchester for a while, but shortly after marriage decided to make their life in Cornwall, buying some land at Horsedowns, near Leedstown, where they ran a nursery for 15 years.
Guy trained in a variety of areas and gained skills in management. He found work at Pendarves Mine, where he was a fitter, then progressed to a branch of Manpower Services Division, working with 16-18-year-olds who had problems integrating with society.
When he retired, he took on the hobby of woodcarving and had a studio in the Sloop Craft Market, having many happy years there, creating lovely pieces of work.
Guy and Erica had three children – Heather, Bryan and Gillian – and five grandchildren.
Guy saw life within the context of a spiritual journey, beginning with that special feeling for the church, appreciation and reverence for nature, the growth of plans, of the variety of birds and animals, the wonder of the sky at night and a personal relationship with the God who journeyed with him through the Franciscans.
Guy spent his final years with his wife and family in Halsetown.
1955
Michael Drasdo (D) died 2nd June 2018.
“Mike was born in Hull on 17th August 1939 and after attending Red House prep school in York, he followed his brother, Paul Drasdo (D 47), to Dryden in 1952, leaving a year early. He then spent time in Paris on a Samman scholarship, before doing National Service and becoming a commissioned officer in the RASC. During his service he met the lovely Sybil (Bil) Russell, an officer in the QARANC and his senior in rank! They married in 1962 and had a son, Mark, now a solicitor, and a daughter, Angela, a Police Sergeant in the highly-regarded Durham constabulary.
“He began work with the Goodyear Tyre Company in Stockton-on-Tees and Lincoln before moving in 1965 to Southampton. There he joined a firm now known as TW Metals, eventually becoming a member of the top team. Although retiring in 2002 after 37 years’ service, he continued with them for some years afterwards in a consultancy capacity. The job involved significant travel and close liaison with the aviation industry. Little wonder, therefore, of his love of the famous Spitfire, paintings of which adorned his home.
“Mike’s time at Oundle was probably notable less for academic distinction or sporting prowess, but more for the lifelong friendships he formed. These included John Longden (D 56), Ian North (D 55), Charles Friend (D 56) and the late David Trippe, and were based initially on shared occupancy of the famous Study 6 in Dryden. Bil and Mike were particular friends of Chris Walliker (D 54) and his wife, Sue, meeting every three months over the years. When Mike’s terminal illness was first diagnosed, he expressed the fervent wish to celebrate his 80th birthday at Oundle with his buddies. Alas, it was not to be, although he came close, living for more than eight months beyond the original medical prognosis.
“His married life was exceptionally happy and Bil’s sudden death in December 2017 was devastating. With the staunchest support possible from his family, he struggled on, knowing that his cancer would eventually prevail. He died peacefully in a Sunrise home. At his memorial service he was praised for being a very sociable man who made friends easily and was justifiably described as a gentle man – and a true gentleman.”
OBITUARIES
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THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2017 –2018
His cousin, Peter Knee (D 47), writes: