The Queen’s School (Rheindahlen) Association
1955-1987
Their memories remain with us. May they rest in peace.
OBITUARIES
Bob Pringle Oct 1947 - Feb 2012
Bob Pringle died on 2nd February 2012. Bob was 64 years old having celebrated his Ruby wedding anniversary in October 2011.
Bob was at Queens’ School from 1962-64. He was a founder member of the Queens’ School Association taking on the role of treasurer when the Association was first formed. He attended reunions until illness prevented him from attending and also forcing him to retire as treasurer.
All who remember Bob will no doubt remember him as a happy and jocular person (man and boy) who enjoyed nothing better than a good laugh. His main hobby was fishing which he continued to enjoy.
He married Maggie in 1971 and also leaves behind a daughter,Ellen. Whilst our thoughts are with Maggie and Ellen for their loss, those of us who knew Bob well will know that we too have lost a good friend.
Bob always signed his name as Bob-b with a halo over the ‘o’. Whilst Bob will be the first to admit he was never a saint, he was nevertheless an extremely likeable and caring friend to all who knew him.
Thanks for the memories Bob.
Audrey Williams
Miss Audrey Williams died on 11 January. She was 86 and had been diagnosed in early December with incurable cancer.
Her nephew said that she often talked affectionately about her time at Queen's and clearly loved her time in Germany. She was a music teacher at Queen's in the late 50s/early 60s.
Audrey maintained contact with the Association through Peter Williams and although she would have liked to attend reunions her failing health prevented her from so doing.
Our thoughts go out to Audrey’s family at this sad time.
Fred Abbott
A tribute to Fred by Ron Taylor
It was with real sadness that I learned that Fred Abbott had passed away in March 2010 following a lengthy battle with cancer. I had been trying to locate his whereabouts for a number of years and when, in June of this year, I finally discovered where he was I was too late.
I first met Fred in 1958 when he joined the sixth form at Queens and we became very good friends. When I returned to the U.K. in 1960 we remained in touch and re-newed our friendship when he returned to England to study Physics at the University of Leicester. Thereafter we lost touch.
Recently I have been in contact with Fred's family and have learned that he emigrated to the U.S.A. in 1966 at which time he was married - his wife also attended Queens - with a two year old son. He became a leader in Optics and Engineering, pioneering, amongst other things, the world's first copier capable of enlarging documents and the creation of modern day colour television zoom lenses. As time progressed he was named “Doctor of Science” by the Institute of Physics and went on to become Chief Scientist for the Hughes Aerospace Corporation working on the "Star Wars Programme".
Fred contracted cancer in 1998, but his personal courage strengthened by the love of his family, enabled him to battle on successfully for a further twelve years until his death last year.
During the time that I knew him Fred was a very good friend to me. I miss him and salute his achievements.
Sally Shelley née Ballard
It is with great sadness that we have to report that Sally Shelley, nee Ballard,
passed away last year aged 60. Sally attended Queens’ School from 1961-64 and had
spent the last 39 years living in Canada.
She passed away peacefully in a nursing home in Oakville Canada after a brave fight against Cancer. She leaves behind a son Chris, daughter in law Kim and two grandchildren.
She will also be sadly missed by her sisters Mandy and Pat and her nieces.
Carmel Ansbro
We have received the following sad news from Andy Pugh:
Carmel Ansbro lost her fight with cancer in June 2010. Carmel and I were in 3C and 4B together 1969/70. Carmel worked in the pension industry and broke through a few glass ceilings.
I miss her.
Chris Stevens
Sue Stevens has informed the Association that sadly her husband Chris Stevens, who attended Queens’ School from 72-75, died on 4th February 2009.
John (Jack) Stallwood
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that
Mr John Stallwood passed away peacefully on the 8th August 2008 at Margate Hospital in Kent. He had battled with Parkinson’s disease for many years.
John taught woodwork and craft from 1955 until 1970. He was also housemaster of Cornwall House where he provided leadership and encouragement for those partaking in all forms of sport for Cornwall House teams.
His lasting contribution to Queen’s School was carving the commemorative plaque which marked the official opening of Queen’s
School by the Earl of Banden on 4th July 1956.
We are sure all those who attended the school during the time John taught there will have their own fond memories of him.
On behalf of the Queen’s School (Rheindahlen) Association Committee and all former pupils we would like to offer deepest sympathy to the family he leaves behind, in particular his two daughters, Patricia and Brenda and son, John who were also former pupils at Queen’s School.
Sandra Lawson (née Dengate))
I am very sad to report the death of my wife Sandra Lawson (nee Dengate) on 30 April 2008 after a 2 year battle with ovarian cancer. Sandra died in the Dorothy Hospice, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire and is buried in the churchyard of St James's Church, Avebury, Wilts.
Sandra attended Queens school in the early to mid 1960s and leaves three children Andrew, Douglas and Fiona.
We all miss her so much.
Willie Lawson.
Barry Hunt
It is with great sadness that we have to report that we have heard from Chris Hunt, the son of Barry Hunt, that Barry died in July 1993.
Barry taught French at Queen’s School from 1962-70
Lorraine Edwards née Rhodes
It is with great sadness that we have to report that we have heard that Lorraine Edwards née Rhodes died recently. She attended Queen’s School between 1965 and 1968