Obituary: Bob Coupland


Obituary: Bob Coupland (1931-2009)

Many people are mourning the loss of Bob, who died suddenly and unexpectedly in the early hours of Sunday 7 May 2009. He was a truly 'salt of the earth' and likeable character, whose falsetto voice caused him to be instantly recognisable and remembered. In his case the expression, 'he would do anything for anybody' was truly earned, as those in Swinderby, Thorpe on the Hill, Eagle and Harby, with newly fitted bell stays, spliced ropes and accurate church clocks can testify. When he wasn't in a church tower he would more than likely be cutting grass at the South Scarle model flying field. There he was 'Top Gun' with an extraordinary ability to fly model aircraft, be they single or multi engined. As with bells, Bob was always there to land a plane if a novice pilot got into a panic, and would help many a newcomer to the sport with advice and instruction. His modelling skills were second to none, no doubt helped by his lifetime work as a joiner for Jack Cook of Eagle - where he set up home with wife Doreen - and worked on the Barker Estate in North Hykeham.

Bob learned to ring in his home village of Swinderby, under expert guidance of Colin Reed (now living in Balderton) who was then stationed at RAF Swinderby. There was a 40 year gap in his ringing career. In 1990 he returned to the Swinderby tower to help with the instruction of a band of newcomer. He marvelled at the fact that after so long away from ringing it was 'like riding a bike and you don't forget'.

When the Thorpe augmentation to 6 was envisaged, Bob helped train villagers to ring at Swinderby, and since the commissioning of the bells he has been a constant source of help and encouragement, attending his last practice night two days before his death. Harby has been a similar story - fixing rope guides, oiling bearings, always on hand to help and encourage, attending practice nights.

It has been a privilege to know Bob, to attend school with him and to ring with him. We will miss him a lot and our thoughts are with Doreen and family who suffer the greatest loss.

Des Underwood