The obituary notice of Robert TILMOUTH

My lovely cousin Bob, how I miss your smile and warmth and cheerful determination to make the best of everything. There is so much about your life to celebrate. The public contributions and the private. As just one example, your contribution to the North East as Managing Director of the Washington Development Corporation -- having the imagination to see where the Nissan factory could go and the skill to facilitate it. You touched so many lives through that one initiative and then through so many more over the years. I am proud of you.
A man of unflinching integrity and courage, you nursed both your wives through their final illnesses and bore your own with patient pragmatism. You regaled us with your intimate knowledge of Northumberland on every visit, filling in our gaps in family history and recalling the stream of occasions you had attended or been invited to. You always seemed amazed that life and work brought you into contact with the rich and famous, but surely this was simply a reflection of your generous and conscientious nature. Not as you used to say “just a canny lad from Alnwick”. I salute you dear cousin. I miss you.

Bob Tilmouth – a cousin I acquired by marriage – a bonus to have been able to get to know. He was such an impressive and likeable man. Whenever we were in the north of England and getting around in a rented car, it was essential to use our phone's navigation system to guide us to Bob's house in Newcastle. It was a special privilege to spend some time with Bob and to be able to appreciate his optimistic, always positive view of the world and to hear him tell of his successes, not just for himself personally but for his community, for Newcastle and for The North. He lives in my memory.

Met Bob for the first time on a plane going to Austria about 20 years ago, as it happened we were going to the same resort St Gilgen which he loved and we really enjoyed his company. A true gentleman , we will miss him greatly. Love Lesley and Peter xxx