Some members may be aware that Bob Roberts has passed away. Mark Bugler has kindly penned a few thoughts.
Memories of Bob Roberts
I first met Bob and his wife Marion at the club some 44 years ago when I was just aged 15. I had a 470 dinghy at the time. You can imagine my delight when these two new members to the club turned up with a brand new Spanish built 470! I now had someone to race against! I recall talking at length to Bob and Marion about the merits of Spanish vs. French built 470’s and the different specifications of Elvestrom masts that were fashionable at the time. The 470 had just been selected as the new Olympic boat. Other dinghy sailors at both Weymouth and Castle Cove liked the look of these new dinghies and a bulk order for 6 new British Parker boats was placed. It was a great sight to see eight local 470 dinghies completing in club races. However sadly the 470 class at the club did not last very long. Bob and Marion went onto sail keelboats.
The GK 24 was a hot quarter ton design in the late 70’s. Bob and Marion bought a new one and named her Smith n Jones. They went on to race this boat over many years. Bob was a no nonsense, forthright Scotsman who took no prisoners on the racecourse. I recall many a close race against Bob and Marion sailing our family Sadler 25 “Saskia 2”. Bob and Marion also cruised their GK dual handed. I recall being stormbound for 5 days in Alderney in the late 70’s on an LM27. Bob and Marion were also riding out the gale on their GK during that week in Bray harbour. We all certainly got to know the Alderney pubs that week.
Bob also enjoyed sailing Squibs. He often sailed with the late Len Staff on Quicksilver. He was one of the early supporters of the winter series and Boxing Day Icebreaker race, which at the time was for Squibs only. All club cruisers were lifted into the yard at the beginning of October in those days. Bob & Marion immersed themselves into every aspect of club life.
There was nothing that Bob did not get involved with in at the Club and it was therefore no surprise to anyone when Bob eventually became Commodore. Bob latterly became an expert race officer and helped run many of the YCW open events and championships. Tragically Bob’s, wife, sailing partner and sole mate died suddenly and unexpectedly. Understandably things were never to be the same again. Bob eventually left Weymouth and started a new like in America for a while before returning to the UK.
However Bob never gave up his membership and always took an interest in the development of the club over the years albeit from afar. The last I heard from Bob was when he wrote me as Commodore congratulating the club for the part it played in the Olympics and thanking us for the informative newsletters that enabled him to keep in touch with events. These are just some of my memories of Bob but I know other members will have many more. Our condolences go out to Bob’s family at this difficult time.
Submitted on 20th February 2017