It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my stepfather, Bob Hill, an Old Lyonian, who passed away on 3 February 2026 in Glasgow following a brave battle with cancer.

Bob attended John Lyon School, leaving in 1968 to study Mathematics at Southampton University. He went on to build an international career, including a period in Zambia as Sales Manager for Baird & Tatlock, a manufacturer and supplier of scientific and laboratory equipment.

It was in Zambia that I first met Bob, and in 1973 he married my mother, Eve. From the very beginning, he took me under his wing. Although he was not my biological father, he became far more than that — a mentor, a guide and someone who shaped my life in countless ways. When we returned to the UK in 1975, I followed in his footsteps by attending John Lyon, something he was immensely proud of — not least because he liked to remind everyone that, with only 17 years between us, he was probably the youngest parent ever to have put someone through the school.

Bob had a deep enthusiasm for life and a wide range of interests, many of which he passed on to me. He introduced me to football — taking me to my first match on Boxing Day 1975 (Wealdstone vs Wimbledon) — and we went on to attend many games together, including England matches at Wembley. He also took me to Twickenham for rugby and to Lord’s for cricket, ensuring I experienced the full spectrum of British sport. His love of motorsport saw us standing in muddy fields watching RAC Rally stages and visiting Brands Hatch on several occasions.

He was passionate about flying, gaining his pilot’s licence and visiting the Farnborough Air Show, a passion that stayed with me and led me to take my own first flying lesson many years later. Sailing was another shared interest, beginning in Zambia and continuing in the UK, where family holidays often meant crossing the Channel by yacht to France.

He also loved his beer — a passion I clearly inherited. From my first pint at Pinner View to many beer festivals over the years, it became something we always enjoyed together.

After returning to Britain, we lived in North Harrow, where my brothers Alan and Kenneth were born.  Bob worked first for GD Searle and later for Wellcome in Berkhamsted, relocating the family there in 1983. He particularly enjoyed the opportunity to travel internationally, and after leaving Wellcome, he went on to run his own successful consulting business. In many ways, that exposure shaped my own path, including my career in events, which began by helping him at exhibitions.

Whilst living in North Harrow just a five-minute walk away, the family spent much time at Pinner View, with Bob and Eve running and supporting a wide range of sports and social events. During this period, they forged many, many friendships across the generations and Bob, with his characteristic dry, wry and never shy wit would often, beer in hand, regale the assembled company with tales of derring do.

In later years, Bob and my mother moved to Scotland, settling near Stranraer, where he became a loyal supporter of Stranraer FC. After his passing, we placed a plaque at Stair Park in his memory, which simply reads: “In memory of Bob Hill, an Englishman in Stranraer.”

Bob will be remembered not only for his warmth, humour and generosity, but for the profound influence he had on those around him — especially me. I miss him every day.