Robert Ian Beese. 1946-2023. BGS 1958-1965

Obituary provided by OB and classmate Alan Belk.

My friend Ian Beese (BGS 1958–1965) died in April of this year. We met in 6 General, stationed in the Great Hall under the stewardship of Geoff Hoppit, and progressed to the newly formed second string of 6 Maths, overseen by Mike Drew (lower; bicycle sheds) and Joe Camp (upper; Norwood's). We played cribbage, black lady and bridge depending on whether there were 2, 3 or 4 players available for a free period. Ian became a Mason, a husband (I was his best man), company secretary for the Dickinson Robinson Group in Apsley, and a father. I went to Canada and eventually became a philosopher. We fell out of touch until about 15 years ago when I received an email from Ian out of the ether and our friendship was resuscitated. I learned that Ian’s marriage had ended in divorce, but he found some happiness in retirement with his partner Marilyn, and they became friends of my daughter. We met for a pint in Bristol (as we had often done during school lunchtimes, once bumping into Eric Dehn immediately on exiting the Volunteer on King Street) whenever I went over to England to see or bury my family. I don’t know if it is necessary for friends to have something in common, but I think Ian and I bonded in refusing to take school too seriously, And that was good preparation for life.

Alan Belk, PhD