Obituaries

Dr John Barnes Foster (38-48) Born 1930, died 5th February 2013, aged 82.

Jack was evacuated to Penrith in 1939 where I first met him when he arrived at the hostel Beacon Bank in 1941. As he was in the form above me I did not know him well at school, but our friendship developed from the sixth form onwards because of our mutual interest in golf.

I caught up with him in 1949 when I followed him to medical school. In the early ’50s we were involved in forming the Medicals and the University golf teams.

Jack had an outstanding career as a student at Newcastle Medical School graduating with Honours in 1973. He trained in Newcastle, initially in Medicine and then in Neurology. He did his national service in the Navy initially in the Royal Haslar Hospital and then medical officer on minesweepers. He enjoyed his time in the forces, especially in the minesweepers.

He then spent a year at the National Hospital, Queen Square and then six months at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

He returned to Newcastle and became first assistant to Henry Miller and John Walton (now Lord Walton) at the RVI where he established himself as an outstanding teacher of under and postgraduate students as well as a supremely competent physician. He was appointed consultant neurologist at the Newcastle General Hospital in the early 1960s.

He was involved in many clinical research projects but will be best remembered for his work on the effects of head injuries on steeplechase jockeys. This won him an international reputation and he was duly appointed Honorary Reader at Newcastle University.

Throughout his busy clinical career he continued to play frequent and good golf. He became captain of the Northumberland Golf Club in 1973. His wife Jennifer was also a very good golfer so they purchased a villa on the Algarve where they enjoyed playing when the weather was inclement in the UK. For many years my wife and I had entertaining holidays there. Jack and Jennifer, and my wife and I, took up skiing independently in our late twenties and subsequently, with other friends went on an annual skiing trip. Jack was enthusiastic and competent in all his activities and skiing was no exception. He always wanted to be on the first chairlift up the mountain and the last one down. However, a large and fluid lunch was always essential.

In recent years Jack has had to give up strenuous activities for medical reasons. In view of the fact that Jennifer was a good bridge player Jack, who had played a little as a medical student, decided he must take it up again. In typically determined manner, he got out the books and went to numerous classes and rapidly became very competent. However, he learnt so many systems that Jennifer frequently could not recognise them, and this led to some minor disagreements! Jack died suddenly playing bridge on a cruise off Fiji. Jennifer said they had, until then, had a marvellous holiday.

Jack was a good, loyal and entertaining friend and I will miss him, as will all his many friends and particularly his wife Jennifer and family: Sally, Jonathan, James and six grandchildren.

Peter Burnett (39-49)

Stuart Charles Morris (56-63)

Born 1946, died 18th November 2012, aged 66.

He enjoyed the magazine every month, checking on people, first the obituaries to see if he knew anyone, then the activities of the boys and (a new addition since his days) girls.

Before early retirement and becoming a carer for his mother who lived with us for 10 years, he was the policy and economic development officer at Shropshire County Council. This followed a career in London in commercial property.

He is sadly missed by his wife, Penelope, two sons and brother, John Morris (56-58).

By Penelope Morris

Neil Macleod

(RGS classics teacher 61-69) Born 1938, died 17 September 2012, aged 74

Neil Macleod began his teaching career at RGS in the autumn of 1961. Having studied Classics and Archaeology at Newcastle University, he completed his Diploma in Education at the University of Liverpool and subsequently returned to Newcastle to join the RGS Classics department. Over a period of eight years he contributed much to the wider life of the school and was highly regarded, notably by his head of department, the late DrDon Shipley (staff 52-83), who wrote of him as he prepared to leave RGS in the summer of 1969: ‘From the first, he revealed in his relations with his colleagues and pupils the direct approach and clear-sightedness which contributed so much to the considerable success he has achieved… he brought a lively, fresh, good-humoured attitude to his subjects, and his own energy and enthusiasm were amply reflected in the response he received from the boys in the many other activities to which he devoted time and effort’.

Rugby coaching figured highly and the school Boxing Team was another of his great enthusiasms. As his teaching experience grew, he was asked to take responsibility for careers guidance and gave unstintingly in this area also. He left RGS to take up the post of Housemaster at Cranbourne School in Hampshire, returning once more to the North East in 1971 to become Head of Lower School at The John Marley School in Newcastle. He was appointed deputy headmaster of Linskill School in North Shields in 1973 and in 1980, head of Ralph Gardner School, also in North Shields, where he remained until the school’s closure.

Prior to his retirement, he held a number of roles within the local education authority, including liaising between schools and local business.

Throughout his life he spoke with great warmth of his years at RGS and his experience at the school shaped much of his attitude and approach to education throughout his career.

He was delighted when his elder daughter, Sara Huntley (nee Macleod) also came to teach at the school and most especially when his three grandchildren were all offered places.

By Sara Huntley (RGS French teacher (93-96, 07-11)

John Wraith Halfhead (36-39) born 1921, died 2012, aged 91.

Terence Aubrey Muckle (44-53) born 1934, died 1 January 2013, aged 78.

Charles Derek Holmes (34-42) born 1926, died 10 January 2013, aged 86.

Robert Pickering Munby (28-35) born 1918, died 6 February 2013, aged 94.

Donald Kirkpatrick Smith (32-39) born 1920, died 30th September 2012, aged 92.

Frank Nicholson Bolam (46-51) born 1934, died 31 March 2013, aged 78.

George Archibald Hood (26-35) born 1917, died 9th January 2013, aged 95.

Neil Macleod with students on a Classic field trip to Vindolanda in the 60s.

ONA Diary dates

CLA S S OF

YEARS 1956 – 1 963

RGS Day

Saturday 29th June

It’s my delight once more to invite all ONs to join us for RGS Day, Saturday 29th June. As usual there will be four prize-giving ceremonies during the morning, held in the Main Hall. In the marquee there will be refreshments all morning until 12.30pm, allowing parents, students and teachers to mingle after each ceremony.

There are two main events ONs might like to consider: • 11.00am Headmaster’s address • 11.30am Peter Taylor Lecture given by Sir Alan Beith MP

The Junior School Parents’ Association will be holding its Summer Fair: all around the Senior School there will be various events, lectures, exhibitions and demonstrations, and in the Performing Arts Centre Theatre a sequence of drama performances. Please visit the school website nearer the date (www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk) for the full programme.

All ONs are welcome. Simply come to the clearly marked Reception near the marquee, make yourself known, and you will be welcomed and looked after.

Don’t be alarmed by the fact that the school’s normal main entrance is closed off for building work at the moment: whether you are driving or on foot, simply enter by the church gate at the bottom of Eskdale Terrace and follow directions.

Bernard Trafford

Headmaster

50 years on…

Friday 18th October to Sunday 20th October

If you entered the senior school in 1956 it is probably 50 years since you left.

If you can get to the North East for the weekend of Friday 18th to Sunday 20th October 2013, you might want to join a group of contemporaries who are planning a reunion in Newcastle.

The last magazine stimulated responses from over 30 people so there should be someone you can remember.

The programme for the weekend:

• Friday evening –The ONA formal Dinner in school • Saturday morning –A visit to the school in the morning with Pie and Peas for lunch, courtesy of the school. • Saturday afternoon –St James’ Park, or Newcastle

Falcons, or…? • Saturday evening – informal drinks and buffet from 7pm, at South Northumberland Cricket Club just off Gosforth

High Street. This will be ‘old boys’ only, but we propose to have a drink with partners at a venue nearby beforehand, so that partners can meet others for a meal and meet up with us later at the end of the evening. • Sunday – trip on the river, guided walk, Metro trip to the coast.

Send your email address to Jane Medcalf (j.medcalf@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk) and we will update you on arrangements.