Page 47 - Old Malvernian Newsletter - Issue 43 - 2020

OM OBITUARIES
After marrying and the birth of their son Mark, they moved to South Africa where they had a daughter, Letitia. Not long into his career, Michael was offered a Directorship of a paint company in Johannesburg called Stirflow Paints. In 1990 Michael and family returned to the UK. He started up MB Coatings, a leading supplier of automotive coatings, which he ran with his son for 25 years before retiring. Michael was deeply affected by the passing of Bridget in 2015 and his long-term canine companion Max a year ago, missing them both dearly. Michael was a wonderful, humble man and will be greatly missed by all his family. Died 10 May 2019, aged 85.
Makin Michael John (1.52-56) John lived a fascinating life working in natural resource development in East Africa, Asia and the Middle East. With a MA in Agriculture and Rural Economy from Oxford University and a MSc in Soil Science from Aberdeen University, John made important contributions to rural development in many countries, including Nepal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Cyprus, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Oman and Malaysia. While John occupied senior roles as Head of the Land Resources Department and Regional Director, Asia, at the Natural Resources Institute, he was in his element working as a soil scientist with the Land Resources Development Centre - out in the bush talking with farmers, evaluating the land to assess crop sustainability, analysing rainfall amounts and solving the problems of rural development in semi-arid Africa. In his book ‘Developing Countries: Evaluation of Land Potential. The Work of LRD, 1956-2001’,
John describes himself and colleagues as a group of ‘rather unusual people, for whom a day’s work could include being held up by a herd of elephants or digging out in torrential rain a herd of Land Rovers’. John retired to the bucolic countryside of Shropshire and later the Yorkshire Dales. From his home in Shropshire, John turned his attention to that most Malvernian of experiences, the Ledder and compiled an enjoyable, historic and detailed read ‘A History of the Ledbury Run, 1865- 2006’. John participated in this iconic school event on 12 March 1955, one of ’70-odd runners who made their way from Ledbury to the Senior’, on a sunny day with a ‘stiff north- east wind which drove against them the whole way’. Years later, John was very pleased to participate in the 2006 OM Walk and reunion at the Grub, with 66 fellow OMs, to honour past Ledders and to celebrate the finish of that day’s run. John was an avid outdoorsman who appreciated the peaceful joys of trout fishing, the rigours of walking in the Yorkshire Moors, the challenges of mountain climbing and the excitement of sailing in the bracing winds of a Scottish Loch. John was a life-long member of the Liberal Democrats and was often seen campaigning with enthusiasm. John’s passion for politics, keen interest in current affairs, love of nature, sense of humour and gift for reading favourite books aloud to his family will be remembered and treasured. His contributions to rural development continue to have impact. Died 18 October 2017, aged 79.
Marsden Roger Brian (4.59-64) After Malvern, Roger pursued a career in retail and met his future wife Flick whilst working for Beatties Department Store in Solihull. He went on to spend 31 years working for Clarks Shoes, based in South Warwickshire, where his legacy was setting up the franchise business in the UK before retiring 13 years ago. He was a true sports fanatic, and after initially excelling at cricket and football, took up golf and was an active member of Ladbrook Park Golf Club for 35 years where he had many friends. He also loved his family holidays near Padstow playing golf every year at Trevose. He was a devoted husband, brother, father to his three children, grandfather to seven and was incredibly proud when his eldest grandson recently
secured a sports scholarship to Malvern. He will be sorely missed by all his family. Died 9 September 2019, aged 73.
Maynard Anthony Charles Edward (1.54-58) House Prefect. Ledder Cap. When Tony left, Malvern he pursued a career in television, working his way up to becoming Senior Cameraman for ITV. His greatest achievement was winning a BAFTA in 1987. He met his future wife, Pam, in the studios, where she also worked, and were married in 1970. They had two children, and now two grandchildren, all of whom he was immensely proud. Away from work, Tony enjoyed cricket, playing for Beaconsfield, Bucks, and various villages where the family lived, and continued as umpire in later life. He also enjoyed shooting, and the Telegraph crossword. He is greatly missed by his family and friends. Died 17th. June 2019, aged 78.
Nasmyth-Miller John Francis (9.48-52) Head of House. School Prefect. In 1953, as part of his National Service, John joined the Royal Armoured Corps at Carlisle. He found the three months of basic training hard and recalled that, since he was the best educated in his group, he would be sought out to help others write letters home. Towards the end of his training, the War Office Selection Board sent him for further training as a commissioned officer, at Aldershot before joining his regiment in Germany, the13th/18th Royal Hussars, as a 2nd Lieutenant. Then he joined the Colonial Police Force and was sent to Uganda. He would later return to Africa as a senior security officer looking after diamond mines in Sierra Leone. In 1960 he fell down a hole in a diamond mine and was rushed to hospital in Yengema. where he was tended to and fell in love with Willetta, a nurse with sparkling eyes, a winning smile and infectious laughter. Although, he had his work cut out winning her father over, John eventually got his blessing and married Willetta on 17 June 1961; they eventually moved to England where they had three children. In 1970, he accepted a position
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