Page 25 - OM Newsletter - Issue 44 - 2020

OM OBITUARIES
of the Warwickshire Law Society, Chairman of Coventry Building Society, a Coventry Cathedral Trustee and Master of both the Drapers and Broadweavers Guilds. In his limited spare time he enjoyed walking, skiing, golf and sailing (anything from a Topper to Tall ships), and in later life, cruise-ship holidays. Family was always hugely important to Ian and he was lucky enough to have his parents, sister and daughter all living close by, and this was cemented further when his only granddaughter Paige was born in 2007, and his new title of ‘Poppa’ was created... which was probably his finest role! Ian lived a full and happy life, referred to by many as a ‘true gentleman’ for his sense of humour, thoughtfulness and loyalty, and he enjoyed exceptionally good health until 2019 when he was diagnosed with small cell cancer. Died 6 December 2019, aged 86.
Sankey Alan Wallace Dormand (SH 47-52) Ledbury Cap. After Malvern, Alan studied French and Spanish at Hertford College, Oxford. He became President of the Wine Society, swam for the Dolphins (Oxford’s second team), and played rugby and hockey for his college. After Oxford, not particularly knowing ‘what else to do’, Alan followed the family profession and went to teach at Merchiston Castle School. Two years later, he married Margaret. After four years in Edinburgh, Alan went to teach at Harrow School. He took over the running of the sailing club and helped with rugby and Harrow football. He became housemaster of Bradbys, a job which he found extremely fulfilling. A determined champion of every individual, he stayed in touch with many Old Bradbeians, who sent very touching tributes when he died. After retiring from Harrow, Alan and Margaret went to live in the village of Bale in North Norfolk. He involved himself closely with village affairs, becoming churchwarden and chairman of the Parochial Church Council. Amongst other activities, he and Margaret initiated and supported annual Purcell School concerts at the church. In retirement, they very regularly visited his daughter Katy and her family in Cape Town, where Alan once swam
in the mothers’ race at his grand-daughter Imogen’s school. Alan was also was able to spend more time sailing. Renowned for being the last to go out on the tide and the last to come home, he was thrilled to win the Oyster ‘World Championships’ at Blakeney in 2000, with his son William and daughter-in-law Charlotte crewing. As his life drew to an end with a mercifully short illness, Alan mentioned that one of his greatest values was intellectual integrity. Indeed, he was always interested in sensible liberal questioning and tolerant thinking. ‘He will be missed for his warmth, cheerful sense of humour, enthusiasm and unfailing hospitality,’ said the Bale village tribute, a theme echoed by numerous others. Died 25 February 2020, aged 86.
Shearer Roderick (6.48-53) School Prefect. After Malvern Roderick studied Engineering at Cambridge. He worked mainly in the paper industry and lived in Italy, France, Monaco and, after retiring, moved to Cape Town in South Africa, where in 2012 he hosted a reception for the touring College Cricket team. Died 30 August 2020, aged 85.
Wrigley Peter Michael (8.56-58) Peter came to Malvern in 1956, but ill-health forced him to leave, aged 15. He went on to study at Southampton Technical College and became very proficient in the electronic engineering field. Work at the BBC was followed by a rising career through Racal Electronics, where they designed, among other things, multi- track tape-recorders for airports and such like. Eventually, he was offered a directorship but preferred to work ‘hands-on’ as Chief Engineer. Sadly his wife, Fabia, was diagnosed
with MS in 1984 and Peter, retiring early, devoted the next 25 years to caring for her at home. Nevertheless, he maintained an active social life with wide interests and even learned to fly. His interests were many and varied and, possessing a very technical and penetrating intellect and an endless curiosity, he gathered a wide circle of friends in Alresford and through the local twinning association and U3A group, in both of which he played a leading role. He was also blessed with an irrepressible, cheeky sense of humour - one where if Peter was not being seemingly rude to you, you knew he was not feeling well. His friends understood and loved him for it. Over the last few years, dementia took hold and when Fabia died, Peter needed 24-hour live-in care of his own. Died May 2020, aged 77.
Young John Lewes Cunningham (5.49-53) After National Service as an officer in the Royal Army Service Corps John met and married Valerie in 1960 and had three children. Having worked for Mobil Oil and lived in Wales, they moved to Hereford where John began his career at the Alliance Building Society; a move to Brighton followed promotion, with John commuting to Park Lane in London for many years, retiring as Area Director for Brighton and Hove. A keen member of the OM Lodge he was Master twice and Treasurer for more than a decade. John also enjoyed golf. Died 17 March 2020, aged 84.
1960s
Bevan-John Spencer Philip (6 60-63) Died August 2019, aged 73.
Crichton Benjamin Stuart (8.64-68) House Prefect. Boxing Colours. Following his degree at Exeter University, Ben was admitted to the Law Society as a Solicitor in June 1976. Specialising in Immigration, Company & Commercial law, and Employment Law, Ben built up a loyal client base of overseas clients who stayed with him throughout his professional career. Ben was a talented musician playing the drums in a band in his
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