Dear Margaret, Phil, Sarah, Cat & John, as you all know our family thought the world of Rod and fortunately like most, our memories of him were not limited to a brief spell at Masuas. For my part the friendship forged way back then grew over time extending to wife and kids who all consider themselves so fortunate to have got to know him individually. I, myself, remain grateful and humbled not just to have considered him a friend but also to have had him invest in my development when I needed it, as he did for so many others over the years.
Truth be told, initially I think Rod actually “inherited” me as an Air Squadron student after a few of the other instructors deemed me “unteachable”. It was only due to his patience and humour ( plus a casual and shared disregard for most protocol) that allowed me to stay on at RAF Woodvale for the duration.
His thirst for adventure and the sheer delight he drew in his students company meant we all warmed to him greatly and those friendships, in most cases, transcended decades.
I still remember the day, over 20 years ago, he announced he was giving “himself” for a weekend as my wedding present (only Rod could have gotten away with that!). The ensuing two days of fun in his presence with my new wife in tow, sailing around the Isle Wight with Rod, who brought John along for the trip too, plus a few ex-stude’s to man the sails all of us bobbing around in a boat he had apparently “borrowed” from the Joint Services Centre are etched firmly in the memory banks and remembered to this day with a smile.
Rod was always so generous with his time and whether it was an invitation to a Masuas ski trip as hired help or in hosting us at Brooklands for a day touring the Concorde exhibition, we never ever tired of his company.
Later in life in our catch-up calls he would talk with so much pride about his family. He loved you all so much.
I am not sure I can ever truly forgive him though for leaving me stranded at Bembridge airfield to make my own way home on my last ever UAS flight under the pretence he needed me out of the cockpit to settle the squadron’s landing fees for the week. If it’s one mental picture I recall that’s enduring it’s that beaming smile ( part rogue , part angel ) as he rattled down the runway waving goodbye, what a rascal he will be sorely missed. …. Jonathan
