Obituaries
James ‘Alan’ Wardropper (40-48) Born 5 November 1929, died 26 July 2015, aged 85
that 120 people attended the celebration of his life; proud numbers, especially if one reflects that most of his contemporaries are by now dead. I am also reminded that he was a deep thinker whose thoughts were often for others. He assisted in a number of charities and was treasurer of several trusts, including the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. Alan Wardropper, in every way, typical
of our school’s best. Old friend and brightest star of ‘Sammy’ Middlebrook’s (18-58)
History Sixth, whose schooldays bridged Penrith and Eskdale terrace, Alan Wardropper died peacefully on the 26 July at the age of 85. I recall our 1947 train journey at scholarship time when he, Brian Redhead (40-48), John Harrison (40-47) and myself shared a compartment, full of hope and history. In Alan’s case, hope was rewarded, for he would return with an exhibition to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
After nine outstanding terms at Cambridge he came down in 1951, taking articles with Peat, Marwick and Mitchell, becoming a chartered accountant in 1954 and among the firms youngest-ever partners in 1961, finally retiring in 1988. In 1959 he married Nancy Black (formerly of the Central Newcastle High School) and their three children are by now firmly grounded in business and the professions.
They lived much of their lives where Kenton meets Nuns Moor, moving in 2000 to Beadnell. All I have described confirms Alan’s character as steady, steadfast and loyal: to company as well county, society as well as family, in every way typical of our school’s best. He was essentially a quiet man, the Typical even in ending his days living greatest and most self-effacing I have known; in all matters moderate, though between Alnwick and Berwick, that coast of seals and seabirds, castles, meagre in none. He would later say, “Of all our circle I was the only one who dunes and sands, to which many have returned like salmon to their native stayed and made a life in the North streams. There, he and Nancy walked, East”. Very true, for post-war Britain golfed, bowled, bird-watched, fished, was slow to revive and many looked played bridge, read, listened to opera southwards for employment. and enjoyed the shy and secret beauty of England’s farthest corner. With Alan in Newcastle and others starting life elsewhere, this could mean It would however be wrong to fading friendships. It is only owing to Nancy’s assistance that I am now able remember Alan solely for hobbies and pleasures. Even in retreat his life to sketch in the central part of his career. She tells me she received 223 embraced a keen social sympathy, messages and cards on his death and continuing to think of others and to look
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after many charitable projects. His contribution lay not only in giving time to compassionate causes, but in turning his talent for accountancy towards altruistic ends. A conventional career, one may think, untroubled by upheaval or uncertainty, yet a positive and productive one, underpinned by modesty and virtue. Death has robbed his family of a loving man and his friends of a lovable man, his business associates of a distinguished colleague and the North East of an unobtrusive, yet irreplaceable presence. By Derek Williams (39-48)
