Alan Peter Risley-Settle (31 Aug 1943 - 21 Mar 2026)

Thank you to everyone who has left messages and made donations to the charities. It has been and continues to be an emotional period but it has been uplifting to read your memories and what my father meant to you. Thank you.

In fond memory of someone who was a gentleman and a gentle man. A shining example to us all.

In loving memory of Alan.

What a hole you have left in so mant lives!
Alan was a true gentleman with great compassion and interest in all his family. indefatigable in his globe trotting and travels in England. when we met Alan and Trevor having travelled by train, it was seldom without a hiccup despite meticulous planning, but always dealt with in good humour. Alan had a mischievous sense of Bomphrey humour which he inherited from his mother as I did from her brother, my father. When choosing Godparents for Jonathon our son, his name was first. I am in awe of his achievements in life. Remembering with love my cousin and hoping the outpouring of love will help Peter and Vicky through this sad time. with love from Sally, Roger Suzi and Jonathon

In memory of Alan. With love from Iain, Sarah, Stanley and Dougie x

A remarkably friendly gentleman who always had time to chat

In the short time we knew Alan he was always available at the church door to welcome us in a warm and friendly manner. He loved to chat a remarkable man.

How appropriate and comforting for St Paul’s to be bathed with love and music today. Joining online, I was reminded of the numerous times as a small child when I would sit in the front pew at St Paul’s whilst my Mum, Alan and others had choir rehearsals - sticker book in tow! As I grew and found my own love of singing with HT choir, I remember fondly the expeditions he would take to come and support us on our choir holidays across the UK. Such a kind and gentle man, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye! Rest in peace Alan x

I had the privilege of working for Alan as his gardener for many years. A true gentleman who always made me smile. His determination and sense of adventure was truly inspiring and still is.
You never knew what part of Europe he was off to explore next.
I know that wherever he is now he is waiting for the Snowdrops to appear.
I miss him greatly.
Deepest condolences to all his family and friends.
Eric

In memory of Uncle Alan, with our love Suzi, Mike, Roxy and Daniel xxx

I have many fond memories of Uncle Alan, always so kind, interesting and interested in us too. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, a gentle calm voice, clever and perceptive, good company with lovely anecdotes. He will be remembered with love.

My association with Alan was only over the last few years ,and through our membership of Probus Folkestone .
I am pleased that our paths crossed because I found him to be a great character of warm humour and manner.He was a shining example to us in his attitude ,and , fortitude to life.
He will be sadly missed.
May he now rest easy and in eternal peace

In memory of a dear friend

In loving memory of my God father Alan

My indefatigable god father. I am in awe of everything you achieved, how you lived your life and your tremendous bon homie. I always enjoyed seeing and chatting with you and also enjoyed your generous hospitality when you put us up before the ferry! You will be greatly missed. Much love, strength, best wishes and loving memories to Peter and Vicki and families.

Such a lovely kind gentle man. I knew Alan from St Paul’s and he was always so gracious and welcoming to this ‘cockney sparrow’ I was once at Stratford Underground station waiting for the lift, it arrived, and who should be coming out but Alan. What are the chances? Obviously there were quite a few lifts that came and went while we had a chat. God Bless Alan. 🙏

To Alan's family
I regret I don't know you personally. But you should be proud of your father in every respect. He gave so much to Folkestone, he can't be replaced.
I often bumped into Dad in Morrissons, and many other places and he always seemed genuinely pleased that I had stopped to say hello.
He excelled in all that he did professionally and in his many interests. Rosemary has the same experience in meeting Alan in the oddest of venues!

For a breakthrough in understanding this most demanding and capricious afflictions.

I have known Alan for so many years, ever since he proposed to my mother’s much younger sister Isabel, who we got to know pretty well as children when she stayed with us in our family home in the school holidays. I remember visiting Alan’s parents when the engagement was on: my parents took on something of a parental role in those distant days. Isabel was in many ways like an elder sister who we never got to know fully before she embarked on her remarkable nursing career. It all seemed quite formal at the time and we were on our best behaviour with Alan’s slightly foreboding parents despite the fact Alan was only seven years older than me, the eldest of three. We grew up in rather different milieus, ours somewhat more liberal and at times unconventional. We were teenagers in the 1960s.

Sadly, Simon my middle brother is no longer with us and my younger brother Barney is still recovering from a recent life-threatening accident with restricted mobility, though he has learned to walk again and more or less fully recovered his memory and cognitive skills. So Barney joins with me in sending our sincere best thoughts and wishes to Peter and Vicki in these times of familial change. Our own dear mother Kim died in late 2023, aged 94: as her brother in law Alan visited her in Winchester a number of times when she was not so well and suffering from severe macular degeneration, making the long journey from Folkestone with fortitude, determination and good spirits. She so much appreciated this - Alan was the last link with her own younger siblings, all of whom died before her. She took a keen interest in the adventures of Peter and Vicki as long as she was able.

Alan represented the best in people, kind, loyal, and able to accommodate difference with a spirit that is generally far less generous in these difficult times. Alan always took an interest in our children’s lives, unconventional as they have been at times. He never jumped to quick judgments, listened carefully, and was always respectful. As such he was one of the most thoroughly decent human beings I have encountered. They rarely make them like that any more!

My wife Amanda and I, together with our boys Jeremy and Zach, send our best and loving wishes to Peter, Vicki and their families. May all memories be fond and charged with affection and admiration.