Keith Sanderson

I was deeply saddened by the death of Keith Sanderson on 13th August. The following is a eulogy from his funeral, written by his son Mark.

My father was born in Thorne, a small mining town in The Peoples’ Republic of South Yorkshire on 11th July 1936. He was very proud of his Yorkshire roots, especially when conversing with those from the “wrong” side of the Pennines. His parents were George and Evelyn, and he had an older sister Pat, with whom he was very close, but unfortunately she died 10 years ago. Because his disabled father was unable to work, life was not easy for the family. His humble roots served to keep him grounded and a sense of great compassion throughout his long life.

He attended Thorne Grammer School, where (aside from earning the sobriquet “Swot Sanderson”) he actively participated in rugby and athletics. Rugby became an enduring pleasure; which he played until his twenties. More particularly he also met Freda, Head Girl to his Head Boy, his wife of 63 years and lifelong companion, mother to myself and Ian.

After school, he deferred the start of this university career to do his National Service with the Royal Signals in the exotic climes of Catterick. Not a natural soldier, this 6’11” blue eyed blond (at least according to his military ID), rose to the dizzy rank of acting sergeant, a fact with which he enjoying nonplussing staff officers with during his later career visits to Sandhurst. The major lesson learned from this period of his life (so he imparted) was the importance of walking purposefully carrying a piece of paper.

Having completed National Service, the scheme was abolished, a fact for which he claimed no responsibility. Dad moved on to study English and Medieval Latin at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. After graduation, he decided to enter the teaching profession.

After training at Nottingham University, he began his career at the Manor School, Mansfield Woodhouse in 1961. This was followed by posts at two brand new schools; in 1964 Head of House at Wyndham Comprehensive School in Cumberland, and then Deputy Head at Brockworth in Gloucester, before arriving at Rhyl High School at the tender age of 36 (in 1972) to oversee the merger of two schools into a modern comprehensive

It was at this time, 51 years ago the family moved from this peripatetic lifestyle to settle here in Dyserth. Mum and Dad actively participating in the life of this church, and he enjoyed sailing the Mirror dinghy we had built in the garage and generally put down roots. Dad became an active Rotarian; he was a Past President of the Rotary Club of Rhyl and was awarded a Paul Harries medal.

He retired from teaching in 1988 and then entered a phase of his life he described as being the busiest he had ever been. His sense of civic duty led to him spending 12 years as a magistrate during which time he became Deputy Chairman of the Bench and was Chairman of the Family Court. He was formerly Chairman of the Dyserth Environmental Group and a member of the Tuesday Morning Group which filled his time along with his avid (and extremely rapid) reading – not forgetting his “Affair with Grace” ……. Grace being a 40’ Narrowboat, for those of you who don’t know …..

He took a constant interest, despite the distance, in his grandchildren, Dale and Lucy, (who have great memories of their time, stories read and holidays spent with Nain & Taid). Latterly his great grandchildren Eva, Ivy and Taylor became a focus, always with Mum at his side, both at home and during their extensive travels together. The garden at their house also provided a constant source of pleasure throughout his life.

Failing health eventually curtailed their foreign trips, but he took this in the typically stoic manner which characterised his life, coupled with a dry and occasionally acerbic humour directed at all of us but particularly at mum.

He often said that he was only ever rude to his friends, and the number of family, friends, neighbours & former colleagues, here today is a testament to how many of you he must have teased over the years.

Thank for the time and effort you have taken today to say goodbye to Keith, Dad, Taid, Headmaster. Rest in Peace