In memory of Bob Earl BEM, 1948-2025

Robert Frank Earl, known to all as ‘Bob’, sadly died at his home in Radley on 31 January 2025 aged 77. He was diagnosed with pleural Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer brought about by exposure to asbestos, at the beginning of 2022. The condition is incurable and difficult to treat and, at the time, Bob was given a prognosis of only months. That was three years ago, a testament to the inner strength that drove Bob all his life, and to the immunotherapy treatment and wonderful care he received from the staff at the Churchill Hospital.

Bob was born and brought up in the city of Oxford.  The Earls were a long-standing Oxford family (there’s an Earl Street off the Botley Road) and, through his family links, Bob was successful in his application to become a Freeman of the City of Oxford.  Bob married Pat at the city church of St Michael at the North Gate Church in March 1970 and they set up home in Littlemore. Here they brought up their two children, Phil and Claire, before moving to St James Road in Radley in 1990.

Bob began his working life as a joiner with the building company Phipps & Wynn in Oxford. This is where, unknowingly at the time, he was exposed to asbestos fibres suspended in the air through being in a workshop where, in a neighbouring area, fire doors were being worked on.  Its fire-retardent qualities meant asbestos was used widely within fire doors at that time. It was not until 1999 that it was banned in the UK in 1999 as a carcinogen.

Bob never forgot the carpentry skills he acquired at Phipps & Wynn as he progressed his career to become a draughtsman and a building surveyor.  When Bob was made redundant, he and Pat set up their own building company – RPE (Radley) Limited – in 2006.  Bob drew up plans for extensions and major house alterations, acting as project manager for many of these schemes. He also worked on projects for a national company that supplied school furniture.

Bob had been involved with the Radley Village Shop since it opened in May 2007, and before that he project-managed the fitting out of the premises. Once the Shop opened, Bob took care of maintenance issues, a role he continued when he stepped up to become Chairman of the Management Committee in 2011.  Bob served as Chairman for 11 years, finally stepping down in 2022 having led the Shop through the challenges of Covid and lockdown. Even until very recently, he was still working regular shifts alongside his wife, Pat, serving customers from behind the shop counter.

As well as being a key member of the Village Shop team, over the years Bob was heavily involved in supporting other community organisations including Oxfordshire Scouting and the Oxford Winter Night Shelter.  His commitment to St Michael’s, where he was a churchwarden for many years, was lifelong. He was also a trustee of St Michael’s & All Saints Charities, Oxford. 

 In Radley, Bob and Pat held the annual Plant Sale in aid of Christian Aid for several years outside their house on St James Road, taking over the mantle from their neighbours the Usherwoods.  Bob’s building knowledge was also put to use during his time as a member of the Steering Group set up by Radley Parish Council to consider the refurbishment of Radley Village Hall.

Bob’s love of singing from his time as a choirboy at St Michael’s continued. He sang tenor for many years with the Kennington & District United Church Choirs (now Kennington Chorale) founded by the late Trevor Cowlett MBE in 1973.  Bob’s last concert with the choir was on 8 December 2024. 

In November 2017, Bob and Pat’s long-standing commitment to Radley Village Shop was recognised when they received an Unsung Hero Award from the Vale of White Horse District Council, having been nominated by Radley Parish Council.  On 1 January 2024, both were awarded British Empire Medals in the New Year’s Honours List for ‘services to the community in Radley’.

Bob’s family was very important to him. He will be much missed by Pat, Phil and Claire, and his six grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. And there’s no doubt his loss will also be felt throughout the village and far beyond.