Bob (Robert) MacDowall (4 May 1954 - 7 Dec 2021)

The same crazy day in Portugal. We miss you so much Bob. You were a truly wonderful man and a little bit mischievous x x

Poem written in 1989 and read by Steve Snow:

One sultry August afternoon
When things were at a lull
I took myself to Ide Hill
For a gentle country stroll.
The storms of '87
Had laid this place to waste
But still it had a beauty
Calming life's relentless pace.
With Westerham far below me
And Chartwell to the right
The view down through the valley
Was a stunning peaceful sight.
The fires in the distance
Billowed smoke into a haze
Hanging all along the skyline
As it does most summer days.
At the bottom of the lane
A figure powered into view
Crouching low and holding onto
Something just as streamlined too.
Side to side and to and fro
It moved with so much force
As it gobbled up the mileage
Along that tarmacked course.
From distance I could not discern
What form the creature took
As it grappled with the 'one in five'
I strained my eyes to look.
It climbed the hill so rapidly
I thought it jet propelled
By a battery pack or missile
Or a bat straight out if hell.
Sweat glistened from each pore
And anguish lined it's face
It stood tall upon the pedals
As the summit sapped its pace.
At last it reached the pinnacle
The place where I was sat
And it stood astride its mean machine
And splattered out 'that's that'.
We stared at one another
With eyes wide and agog
As though some ghostly spectre
Had emerged from densest fog.
With open mouth expression
Like an Edvard Munch's Gob
Before his very gaze stood I
While peering back was Bob!

. Cyclists procession video

Video from crem: .

Photos from reception: .

Video from crem: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nu0omc7qwoveqmf/Bob%20%E2%9D%A4%EF%B8%8F%20copy.mp4?dl=0

Photos from reception:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/75adoo4hl8qar6i/Reception%20photos%208.01.21.pptx?dl=0

Very sorry for picking up on this news so late but we moved out of the area in 2020.

Bob was an incredibly strong but unassuming rider who would regularly tell me how hard he found the long rides whilst leaving me behind. We worked together organising events as part of the West Kent committee and his commitment was unrivalled.

The last time I saw him he was stamping my card at a hillside control and incredibly cheerful as always.

He will be missed.

Rob, Alison & Joseph Bullyment

The most touching service I have ever attended. What a lovely man! I have fond, distant memories of cousin Bob coming to Herne Bay with his Mum Doreen and his dad Mac. The whole family were all so lovely. I remember Bob and I were completely absorbed for hours catching Lizards and Glow Worms. He was 'special' then so it came as no surprise to learn today that he grew into such a lovely husband, father and friend to so many. Rest in peace Bob. X

We feel blessed to have known Bob a lovely kind calm man.
I have had the pleasure of being responsible for looking after his hair. . .what a wonderful head of hair it was. We will miss him.

I was saddened to hear that Bob had passed away. I have been meaning for years to get on my bike and hoping to meet up with the Medways again to reminisce about the great time that I had as a teenager in which Bob played a huge part. I think it was Paul Welch that introduced Bob to the group as ' this is Bob Everybody' and the name stuck. We had wonderful adventures as a great group of people and Bob was always there, looking after me and also having a little nag that I couldn't mend my own bike. Bob also introduced me to a great range of music and I will never forget travelling back from one of our many Medway tours in maybe Paul's car, listening to Tubular Bells at full blast on the cassette player. Thank you for all the fantastic memories, rest in peace dear Bob Everybody and condolences to your family.

Some of my earliest cycling memories include Bob, the merry face in the worst of weathers, with an encouraging word and a wry smile he helped make the miles go a little quicker. Later on when I came back to cycling Bob was always on hand with a merry "Chapeau", he always took time to find out about your latest cycling exploits. I will miss Bob's comments on my rides and his gentle cajoling on a promised winged words article. One of life's genuine nice guys who will be sorely missed

Dear Bob, just before Xmas 2021, I was with some friends - a couple of whom were from way back to when attending St Joseph's Primary School. Memories were evoked, one of which was about myself being given the opportunity to join in a lunchtime game of football with the more senior boys. At little more than 6 years old, it was incredibly exciting for me. Sad to say though, the goalkeeping experience was a personal disaster and despite my best efforts, the opposition won comfortably. A few members of the team were clearly annoyed and stated bluntly that it was to be my first and last game with them. The criticism hurt and I sat down afterwards feeling somewhat despondent. Upon hearing the bell for end of break and walking back inside, two of the older boys came towards me. One put his hand on my shoulder, thanked me and offered some words of encouragement. Bob, I discovered during this recent meet up that the thoughtful pupil was yourself. You may have never recalled the interaction, but it left a lasting impression with me. Kindness and a considerate nature towards others was evident back then and continued shining brightly throughout your life.
Rest In Peace.

I worked with Bob for over 10 years, he was such a great guy and always managed to see the bright side of every situation. Every morning at 10am Bob would ask ‘are you making me a latte’ 😊 and of course I did! He was very special to me and I will miss him dearly, he was one of a kind.
Love
Steph

We count ourselves so fortunate to have had Bob as a friend. We enjoyed many good times in his company, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Holidays and Parties. We will always remember getting lost in Corfu and thank goodness he took over the navigating! Bob you will be sadly missed, a true friend and gentleman.

I was very sorry to learn from my cousin Dave and Anne Dodds that Bob had passed away. They know I worked for Bexley at Erith Town Hall at the same time as Bob and that I have always remembered him from those days for the lovely hard working man that he was. I hope Di and family will take some comfort in the future in knowing just how special he was and so well thought of. How proud of Bob they must be. With all good wishes.

Dear Bob
I really don’t know what to say but thank you.
Thank you for all you taught me at Capita, we worked together for 7 years and will never forget you and how kind you were to me. I share your love of spreadsheets and will carry this on forever.
Thank you for always helping me and being my safety net. Thank you for the happy times and memories in the office. You were one in a million. I can’t believe we won’t be able to meet for coffee anymore. Thank you Bob.
Georgie.