Robert Fortnam Hartley (F 59-62).

Richard Stout (FN 55-60) writes:

“Robert was the only son of the late Tom and Phyllis Hartley, and the brother to Lynne and the late Shirley. He was born at Great Bridgeford in the very farmhouse in which he was to live for sixty-nine years. His father had been educated at St Bees School and Robert followed in his footsteps. He was a very promising rugby player, but following a bad injury sustained in a match against Rossall, he ceased playing. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor life that the school had to offer, especially the ‘away days’ with their bicycle trips. Robert, something of a character, during one chemistry lesson when the master was looking for a volunteer to light the bunsen burner with a taper, walked forward and lit it with his cigarette lighter!  On leaving school he joined the family farm, for a time attending day release at Rodbaston College. Under his guidance the farm moved from dairy to pigs to arable farming and finally on to the existing business of grain-cleaning, drying and storage. He was a practical man and would attempt any job with his hands. In 1973 he married Ann and they brought two sons into the world, Edward and John. Among his many activities, he was, for seventeen years, a magistrate. As a sportsman, he loved shooting, both as a member of the Grieves and then the Maer shoots, and made frequent trips to Scotland and Wales in pursuit of this hobby. Robert was a parish councillor and an active member of the NFU and the Staffordshire Agricultural Society, to whose Show he dedicated many years of service. Sea-fishing and sailing in the family’s boats, especially around the Greek islands, also occupied him. At home he was a keen gardener, particularly knowledgeable about trees and shrubs, with a great love of garden birds. He will be sadly missed but not forgotten.”

 

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