Services and Eulogies

In October 2024 with great sadness, the OR Society reported the death of Ron Kelsey who taught Chemistry at Rendcomb College from 1969-1995. A Service of Thanksgiving for Ron’s life took place at St Andrew’s Church, Chedworth, at 2pm on Monday 28th October. All were warmly invited and welcomed.

Ron Kelsey joined the College Staff in 1969 as head of an already flourishing chemistry department. His dedication to the subject is witnessed by the high success rate in public examinations and by the number of his pupils who have won awards at Oxford and Cambridge or read chemistry at other universities. For many years he was a devoted coach of junior rugby teams and also a sympathetic tutor in the main building before the new boarding houses were built.
He was appointed as Rendcomb College’s first careers master in 1969 and thereafter steadily built up a valued advisory service for pupils, supported by careers conventions and industrial conferences. He also instigated the work experience week scheme for fifth formers after the end of their public examinations.
Following his ‘retirement’ from the College, Ron commenced a new career as chief examiner with the Welsh Examinations Board.

The service took place at St Andrew’s Church in the village of Chedworth. Sadly, Ron’s widow, Joyce, was in hospital and therefore not able to come to the funeral. All were welcomed by the three Kelsey daughters and the Rendcomb contingent included Jane Gunner (representing the OR Society and various Old Rendcombians unable to attend), Joe Watson, Rob Sherratt, Richard Funnell, Roy Edwards, Owen Rhys, Phil Smith and Des Knox. The Kelseys made their photo albums available, with photographs which were quite personal and showed an entertaining side of Ron that most of ORs would not have seen.

Reminiscences from Old Rendcombian Society Newsletter 1995 (pages 11 and 12) Owen Rhys (1964-70), Kevin Holmes (1983-90) and James Sleeman (1985-92) here
https://www.oldrendcombian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1995.pdf

Retirement announcement Rendcombian Magazine 1995 (page 10) Link to the following here
https://www.oldrendcombian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/RC-Rendcombian-1995final.pdf

Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Ron Kelsey (3 page pdf) Link
https://www.oldrendcombian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ron-Kelsey-Funeral-Service.pdf

Others shared recollections of Nitrogen tri-iodide demonstrations and rubber tubing being shattered following immersion in liquid Nitrogen and struck with a hammer.

Photographs: By kind permission of the Kelsey family and Rendcomb College.

Martin Richards A brief tribute from Julian Comrie

I am sorry to tell you that my great life-long friend Martin Richards has just died. I will give some brief details below for the current OR news; I could produce a longer appreciation and some photos for next year’s Magazine, should they be required.

Martin Richards, born 4 February 1935, died 24 July 2024, aged 89. Student at Rendcomb 1946 – 1954.

Martin and I first met at Rendcomb in September 1946, two of the six new boys that year – shortly to become only five. We became lifelong friends. He was Best Man at my wedding to Helen, nee James, at St Peter’s church in 1959, when we both started our professional careers. Martin, thoroughly Welsh, inherited his father’s, and grandfather’s solicitor’s practice in Llanelly, which he manged until retirement in about 2000.

His interests outside the Law were artistic – he was an excellent pianist, and sketches, drawings, paintings, and pictures in any medium emanated from his studio, then often onward to exhibitions and galleries.

He married Sue Powell in 1963, and they had three sons; they all survive him. Martin and Sue moved to a small village near Hereford in early 2000, where Martin was able to indulge in art, but he suffered ill health for a few of his last years.

John Willson Director of Music, English and Latin master at Rendcomb College. 1967-88

John Willson’s funeral will be at Sedgemoor Crematorium at 11am 26th October at
Red Ln, Stretcholt, Bridgwater TA6 4SR sedgemoorcrem.co.uk T: 01278680020

All will be welcome at the wake afterwards at Admirals Landing, The Docks, Bridgwater TA6 3EX admiralslanding.co.uk T: 01278422515 John requested no flowers but donations to Parkinson’s UK.

John RW Willson taught at Rendcomb College from 1967 to 1988. He directed Music and taught English and Latin. He was a major influence to many being the driving force behind the orchestra and choral, operatic and major musical performances such as Fidelio and Der Freischutz to name just two. He loved the outdoors, walking, hikes and in particular rock climbing – also into his later years. His Morris 1000 van took many a weekend trip to the rugged Wintour’s Leap in the Wye valley and much further afield to the Austrian Alps during long holidays.

p6-p10 John Willson on his retirement in the 1988 OR Newsletter. Link to the following here
https://www.oldrendcombian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1988.pdf

Announcement and comments made on UK climbing (courtesy of John Shaw and Des Knox) Link to the following here
https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/john_willson_rip-764070?

Photographs: Rendcomb College 1973 Prospectus and Courtesy: A. Robertson OR 1965-72 personal collection.

Rendcomb College Alumni

Rendcomb College Alumni

Service of Thanksgiving for Ron Kelsey on 28th October 2024 at St Andrew’s Church, Chedworth

Services and Eulogies

Remembering Martin Richards b. 4 Feb 1935 d. 24 July 2024

Robert Alan Barnard-Weston

Funeral service and wake for John Willson 11am 26th October 2023 at Bridgewater

Service for Roger MA Medill 7 July 2023 at St Peter’s Church Rendcomb College