Rod Hargreaves 1946 – 2005
It was with much sadness we learnt that Rod had died on Monday 5 December 2005. He had suffered from internal problems for some years and recently had a recurrence.
Bill, Gordon, John, Tony, Dorothy and myself attended Rod's funeral (representing NCPS) last Friday. This was held in Chorley Village Hall, which was overflowing with friends and colleagues and was a celebration of his life and never more deserving; he was a wonderful, unassuming man with a wicked sense of humour.
Rod, Jill’s husband of 37 years, was born in Essex; attended the University of Manchester (UMIST) where he gained his BSc and began his working life with I.C.I. (now Astra Zeneca). His qualities soon became noticed and he was promoted to the Chemistry dept. He also had a great interest and much input into the Biology dept. Rod had a great personality and was dedicated to his work, which was recognised by Astra Zeneca when he became Principal Scientist in Chemistry. In the past few years his work took him to Sweden where he worked on several projects. His colleagues in Sweden will sorely miss him and have sent many messages of condolence to Jill.
Outside of work Rod enjoyed “the good life” and produced most of the family’s food on his local allotment, where he soon became a member of the Allotment Committee. He was a bit of a wine buff and was involved with the local Wine Club. A member of the Club remembers him at parties for always bringing along a bottle he had had ‘stored’ for quite a number of years (no one was quite sure what it would taste like). He was very proud of his wine cellar.
Rod worked tirelessly on the committee of the Poynton Show and gave so much to making the day an enjoyable one for those taking part and those visiting. It was Jill and Rod who introduced NCPS to the committee recommending them as Show photographers. Members from these Societies came to pay their respects to Rod and Jill.
Although Rod was not a member of NCPS he always supported Jill, never more so than when she decided to go Digital. Being a computer expert, Jill soon called on his skills to help her through the traumas of ‘Photo Shop’ and you can see his influence in the excellent photos she produces. He particularly enjoyed the Christmas Dinners and weekends away with the Club.
Rod was a devoted family man and will be sorely missed by Jill, their son Tristan, also the many, many colleagues and friends who attended his Service of Celebration. Rod has left many good memories behind and people will remember him for many years.
My lasting memory of him is his wicked sense of humour and that he and Jill enjoyed their very full lives together.