Robert Lawrence (12 Dec 1938 - 28 Aug 2022)

In loving memory of Robert Lawrence who sadly passed away on 28th August 2022.

Robert was born in the picturesque Spa town of Malvern nestled against the undulating Malvern Hills which had been a constant source of inspiration to Edward Elgar, a composer who was close to Robert's heart throughout his life.

Born at the beginning of WW II this was not the easiest of times to grow up, but Robert was a happy child. As the third child of Violet and Joseph Lawrence, he was much loved by by his parents and
absolutely adored by his two elder sisters Diana and Marion.

The whole family were unexpectedly thrown into a state of worry when a terrible accident left Robert, aged 3 at the time, for almost a year in hospital with a severely scalded arm, fighting for his life. He thankfully survived this early trauma and even though he carried the scars throughout his life, he never let it define him or get him down. Robert has always been a fighter and a truly positive person.

From his childhood Robert developed a passion for swimming and got up to all the usual high jinks that young boys do. He delighted in fun and games with his sister Marion, who shared his infectious sense of fun. Diana, being older and very artistic fostered and stimulated in him an interest in aesthetics and art, and Robert also ended up spending some time at art school and became very accomplished at drawing. However, his big passion as a boy was singing and he thoroughly embraced church music as a chorister at Malvern Priory. He felt uplifted by the hymns and music, and valued the quiet contemplative refuge of the church.

August 1957 aged 18 years arriving at Westbahnhof railway station in Vienna, Austria, unbeknown to him Robert had reached a major milestone in his life. Dressed in a navy blue blazer with gold buttons Robert was collected from the station by Trudy and with that embarked on a two week ‚exchange’ holiday that would change his life forever. Robert was enchanted by the 16 year old Trudy who was not only beautiful and intelligent, but also spoke perfect English, had even been to Malvern in the previous year and shared a love of music. Having grown up in beautiful Vienna, Trudy brought with her the charm and sophistication of a city girl. During these two weeks they visited the many sites he had read about, such as the Opera House, Schoenbrunn Palace, went swimming in the Old Danube and he was also introduced to Viennese songs and wine at the Heurigen. Oh I almost forgot - Robert’s first taste of Austrian food cooked lovingly by Zora, Trudy’s mum - ‚stuffed peppers‘ - which seemed strange to him at first but ended up being one of his favourite meals. Robert fell in love with Trudy, I mean how could he not? And she remained the love of his life always and forever.

Robert and Trudy nurtured their long distance relationship over the next five years writing copious letters interspersed with a visit thrown in here and there. In the end they felt they could wait no longer and in December 1962 they got married.

Robert studied Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough College. Being not only a well known technical college, but also famous for its sports department, this suited Robert down to the ground. Giving him the opportunity to pursue his interest in engineering as well as keep active with swimming and also fencing. Boy did he look dapper in the fencing outfit. As a matter of fact Robert has always had a great sense of style and has enjoyed looking well dressed whatever the occasion.

Workwise Robert started his career in 1962 at Raleigh bicycles in Nottingham, where his daughter Kitty was born. In those days fathers weren’t present at the birth and Robert received the call at work that he had had a little baby girl. He always delighted in telling the story of how excited and moved he was to see his daughter, how he could hold her in just one hand and how he used to sing her to sleep, often throughout the whole night.

Soon after Robert joined the German company Mannesmann and this took the family of three to Germany soon to become a family of four with the birth of his son Gerry. Gerry was a beautiful baby with an angelic face to melt your heart and Robert once again was filled with emotion and love. He was such a warmhearted man who could cry for joy.
Perfecting his German and progressing in his career with Mannesmann his work finally took him back to London. Robert was very passionate about his work as an engineer and was proud of his work as Manager of the Steel Division.
In fact following in Roberts footsteps both his children graduated with engineering degrees.

Robert was a devoted father nurturing in his children inquisitiveness and a keen interest in learning, but also fun. He supported with homework and pursuing the children’s hobbies, and also fun family outings were frequent and diverse. Family life was really important to him and although he travelled a lot for his work family breakfasts and weekend lunches were a fixture.

A few years later and another milestone. Both Robert and Trudy were so happy and excited when Gerry and Constance announced that they would be getting married. Robert loved Constance, or Stanzi as he liked to call her, like a daughter and always admired her wisdom, energy, integrity and above all her captivating smile.

In his final years he delighted in and cherished being grandfather to his beautiful three grandchildren Tyler, Jessica and Damien, whom he loved deeply. Playing marbles with them was great fun and of course, he loved reading books surrounded by all three.
Tyler, Jessica and Damien would always snuggle up to him.

Robert brought so much not only to all his family but also to all the people who knew him. He was multitalented building furniture and fixing things around the house. He built a kit car together with Gerry. He took up the viola so that he could join in playing music with his children and even joined the children’s orchestra.

From childhood Robert loved bellringing (big church kind) this had been passed on to him by his father and in turn he taught Kitty & Gerry. He learnt Spanish, took sailing courses and he was absolutely genius at baking. He once said you need the precision of an engineer with baking and he certainly managed to get his cakes looking so good you thought they were made by a professional. His piece de resistance was however the Austrian speciality ‚Apfelstrudel‘, which was legendary and often specially requested by friends and family alike. Everything he put his hand to he wanted to do to the best of his ability and it really showed. If something was worth doing it was worth doing well, no actually really well!

Really there are so many wonderful stories to tell, so many happy memories, so much laughter, of course also some tears, we could write a book. We cannot fit a whole magnificent life in just a page, but we can feel the sentiment and remember all the special times shared together and how Robert has touched and affected our lives.

Robert will be most remembered as a loving, affectionate and totally devoted husband, a kind, caring and devoted father and grandfather, brother and uncle, a reliable and caring friend and neighbour, who had a cheeky and endearing sense of humour. He was a good man, the most wonderful man.