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Obituaries
robin harvie-Smith (1952) Ingeborg Harvie-Smith writes:
Robin completed his National Service in the Far East and then joined Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1955 to read Law and Economics.
Subsequently, he joined the Legal and General Insurance Company in London where he stayed until 1971, having been promoted to Head of Marketing for the Pension Division. A short spell with the National Mutual of Australasia in 1973 followed. He then joined the Atlantic Assurance and was responsible for the marketing campaign that raised £60 million of premium income in the first year of operation. This was followed by serving on the management team of Jessel Securities. Subsequently, Robin was appointed Managing Director of Hodge Life in Wales which became the Life Assurance arm of the Standard Chartered Bank.
Previously of excellent health, in 1985 Robin underwent a quadruple heart bypass at the
roBin hArvie-Smith AS the SeCond grAvedigger in the perSe plAyerS’ produCtion oF hAmlet, 1949.
age of 52. This was an era when employers were rather more reticent to offer employment to anyone with such a medical history than they would be today.
Conventional employment for Robin therefore ceased and he applied his energy and enthusiasm to a variety of projects, including the travel industry and antiques, in which he became a respected figure until this death in May 2017.
Throughout his life Robin was proud to be a citizen of, and to have been educated in, Cambridge.
Robin leaves a widow, Ingeborg, and is survived by three of his four children.
michael J S Collins (1951) Nigel Collins & Elizabeth Mikkelsen write:
Michael had many wonderful memories of his time at The Perse, of great lifelong friendships that developed, of acting in plays (alongside the late Peter Hall), of hockey, cricket, tennis and cross country running.
After military service, Michael resumed his education, returning to Peterhouse, Cambridge where he read History. In 1956, Michael joined British Petroleum (BP) as a trainee and in 1958, he married Mary Bergh. In 1960, Michael received a posting to Australia: first Melbourne, then on to Queensland where he worked as a sales representative marketing fuels to the extensive farming community.
Having been with BP for some 18 years, Michael took a new career opportunity in tertiary and management education, joining the Caulfield Institute of Technology in 1974. In 1978 Michael fulfilled his vision to provide specific courses for the retail industry and so the first Retail Management course was born. Over time, and with much persistence and his usual infectious enthusiasm, this led to the establishment of the Australian Centre of Retail Studies, part of Monash University, in 1990. Michael remained head of the Centre as Associate Professor and Executive Director for the remainder of his career, retiring in 1995.
Retirement certainly wasn’t any less energetic, with Michael providing his energy and enthusiasm to numerous local volunteer groups and his golf. In particular, his love of history led him to join the Mornington Historical Society, with which he authored a book Our Boys on the Front, looking at the Great War through local eyes. (A copy of this has been provided to The Perse for its collection).
Over the years, Michael developed a deep love of Australia, and was fascinated by its fauna and flora. One of Michael’s many interests was
developing gardens filled with a wide collection of native plants to attract wildlife. At one time, he was renowned for having a garden bed in the shape of the Australian continent with a rock representing Tasmania, such was his love of his adopted country. Although there was still a big place in his heart for England, it was clear where his loyalties lay during an Ashes test match … Australia!
Throughout his life, Michael loved, most of all, his family and friends. He derived much of his energy from meeting new people and learning their stories: he was interested in everyone and everything. He cherished his time at The Perse and remained in touch with many old friends.
In July 2017 Michael was diagnosed with cancer and passed away peacefully on 5 December with great courage, grace and dignity.
He is remembered for his boundless curiosity, his humility, his great respect for everyone no matter their walk of life, and as a true gentleman.
Michael is survived by wife Mary and children Elizabeth and Nigel.
david h deacon (1954) Sallyann Deacon writes:
David was a stalwart of the Institute of Corrosion, supporting it virtually all of his long working life. In recognition of his service, David was elected an Honorary Life Fellow in 1992, and as a mark of his continued significant and influential contributions to the Institute, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award, a unique decoration especially created for him. In 1976 he became the Technical Committee Chairman and Council member and was Chairman of Council from 1986–1988. He took on a part-time role as Honorary Secretary, became VicePresident (twice) and was President from 2002–2004. He also contributed to the work of London Branch between 2013–2015.
In 1970, David formed BIE Anti-Corrosion Company and when this was sold in 1981 he became the Managing Director of the newly formed ITI Anti-Corrosion Inspection Company. Then in 1992, David founded his present consultancy company, the Steel Protection Consultancy (SPC); his son William has followed in his footsteps and is now the Director of SPC.
He was still contributing to projects even up to January 2017. David was part of the team that specified the coatings for renowned structures known world-wide, such as the Thames Barrier and Forth Bridges, to name but a few. David was proud to say he was the person who ended the joke of “Painting the Forth (Rail) Bridge.” When he’d finished it wouldn’t need painting again for at least another 25 years.
People always wanted to know what the ‘H’ stood for as he always used the initial. But he never gave the name: “Humfrey.” Turned out it was a family name, and way back one of the early holders had left a bequest to any of the male descendants who had it in their name, and this legacy has followed on with his sons and grandson.
He’d been a proud Public Schoolboy, attending as a boarder at The Perse School from a young age. He always remembered his Latin master at the time christened him Praelatus because he was a ‘Deacon’ and therefore must be a prelate of some description. David had also been a good sportsman in his day, playing cricket for the Counties Hampshire and Berkshire. He was a very useful footballer, too, and a lifelong Reading supporter.
david Berrie (1971) Chris Berrie (1975) writes:
David attended The Perse as a boarder when the rest of us ‘Berrie boys’ were in Malawi with our parents. He later gained a place at Aberystwyth University, although this was also the start of some of the problems he had throughout his life. The good side was that, on the 7 October, 1972, he met Angela Burgess for the first time, on the steps of the Great Hall.
Following their marriage in 1977, they moved to Kent, in 1979. Angela had gained her PhD, and started working at the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in Wye. David worked at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital for the next 17 years, which were probably their most enjoyable times, work-wise.
However, throughout his adult life David was plagued by mental issues, along with which he seemed to accumulate further problems. This included a drink problem, although when he finally left us in late 2017 he had remained “dry” for 15 years. He had foot problems too, and in 2009 he had to have a leg amputated. He managed well enough with his artificial leg (known as George) for some years, and then later on in a wheelchair, and he and Angela enjoyed many trips out and about, throughout the UK.
Although David had a relatively quiet life, he does have some ‘claims to fame’. These started back at university, where as a young communist in Aber, he was also a member of both the Conservative and Labour parties! Another event that remains with us was when he
disappeared during one of his bad periods, and he joined the French Foreign Legion. However, he returned to the UK soon after, once they realised he had left his medication back at home!
David loved cats, who provided him with good company through the years. He also loved cooking, and helped to supply many a neighbour and local fete with his cakes, marmalades, jams and chutneys. David was also an artist, a letter writer and a poet. His poetry was probably his most prolific pastime in his later years, with many poems published in the parish magazine.
Each of us brothers has our own memories of our big brother, David. However, it is Angela who knew him best over their 40 years of marriage, which included some difficult times, she says, but also some wonderful times. As she said, “David could be difficult, but was mostly a kind, generous person, who was always willing to help. Above all, as well as my husband, David was my best friend, and I will miss him terribly.” As we all do, in our own ways.
RIP, bruv.
mike Strawson (1960) Val Strawson writes:
Mike Strawson had a varied and successful career in international trade, and as one of Britain’s most respected export trainers. He was also an amateur baker, charity fundraiser, real ale lover, father, stepfather and grandfather, who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. In the words of his colleague at Chamber International, director Tim Bailey, “Mike was highly respected and regarded with affection by our whole team, not just for his considerable expertise but for his qualities as a wise, kind and considerate individual.”
Mike was particularly highly regarded in Yorkshire, where he helped hundreds of companies to start exporting during his 13 years as Chamber International’s senior export trainer. Chamber International paid tribute to him as “a kind, relaxed man, who dispensed wisdom and mirth in equal measure, Mike was a sharp dresser with an equally sharp mind. Even into his 70s, he was always prepared to work late and travel long distances.”
Mike’s career spanned a range of industries and took him around the world. While he was at Croda International PLC, a major manufacturer of chemicals, he managed a highly successful international trade department. This led to him mentoring three other companies, as well as providing guidance during the company’s visits to the Middle East. He afterwards turned his attention to the UK adhesives industry, creating a new division for Datac Adhesives Ltd, training its staff and accompanying a director on visits to South East Asia. Following this, Mike formed Novatech Adhesives to buy and export cyanoacrylate adhesives, alongside mentoring other companies in the sector.
His talent for bringing out the best in companies and individuals led Mike to concentrate on training through his business, The Export Trainer Ltd. He also created and delivered training for UK Trade & Investment, now the Department of International Trade, and trained export professionals in Trinidad, Malaysia, Iran, France, Germany and Singapore.
Mike’s remarkable contribution to international trade was recognised by the Institute of Export and International Trade in May 2017 when he became only the third person in the history of the Institute to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement award.
Outside work, Mike was a Spiritualist with a strong Christian base, a loving family man to his wife, Val, a father of two, stepfather of three and grandfather of eight. He sadly passed away on Sunday 8 October 2017 after a brave battle with cancer.
In Memoriam
harold walter olins (1951) died 20 July 2017, aged 84 years
william gordon reeves (1957) died November 2017, aged 79 years
russell John Bishop Simmons (1945) died 27 February 2016, aged 87 years
terence litchfield Stiles (1942) died 11 April 2013, aged 88 years
louis Jiew Cheng tan (1967) died 30 March 2018, aged 69 years
This list was up-to-date when we went to print. Obituaries may be read in full on our website: perse.co.uk/obituaries
