Robert Mark Colby-Blake (21 Sep 1960 - 4 Jun 2019)

Rob,
I don’t know where to begin or how to write how I feel (as you can see I’ve been lost for words some time now).
You were the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful person. You always had time for us all, and always had something good to say about the worst of us. Your fascination for learning and passion for sharing it made you the most wonderful company, and so many people will miss that about you. Your attention to detail in all things was one of your most endearing qualities, and I loved watching you researching the most obscure facets of history, or tweaking something that was not quite in the right place during an event. You were naturally kind-hearted, but also hilariously funny. So many of us will miss your humour as well as your selflessness and kindness.
You gave me so very much of yourself over the years that I can never lose it all. The way I see the world and experience it, how I do my work and why I do it, the way I think and feel, how I act and behave; so much of that has you in it. You made me the man I am today, thank you.
Meeting you and having you as my best friend was such a blessing; the jokes, the badinage, the way we could roll off each other with ideas and complimented each other at work, your advice – which was always right – and the laughs we shared (making you laugh was always such a pleasure to me). Seeing you reminded me that no matter what, all would be right in the end; you had a gift for exuding calmness. I loved your company and loved you – and still do – so very much. Thank you for each and every memory.
I miss you, talk to you, and think of you every day, and always will. Without you everything is a little duller (and takes a little less time to do now!). And yes, I will keep playing The Smiths in the shower and in the office (and of course Roger Whittaker because I know how much of an earworm it gives you!). But you know all that.
I hope you enjoy the postcards, and save a beer for me up there.
I love you mate.

Love you to the stars and back. You will never know how much you will be missed.

Dearest Robert you will be missed more than you will ever know. Love you to the stars and back. RIP

Words can not say how much you will be missed.

Rob,
It’s taken a while to think of what to say, but I’m totally lost for words. You know that I talk to you and think of you every day, so I won’t gush over you too much here.
And I know you can’t stand the soppy stuff and I won’t embarrass you too much. (But I will say some quick words).
From the moment I met you, you were so very special to me. When I was rushing to clean the priory and you said “you work for the council now Chris, and there’s nothing more important than a nice cup of tea”, I knew that you were a man with his priorities set, and had the best outlook on life.
And we laughed, a lot. The old councillor Woodley Christmas jingle; monk-offs between the Gregorians and Greeks, our beers after a Seafront walk, our jokes about colleagues, our badinage and quick-witted humour, the Culley toilet roll joke, the countless quips and smiles and laughs. We laughed a lot.
And you fathered me; you made me the educator and man I am today. You know what you did for me, and I won’t go into detail, but you know what you did, and I thank you and love you for it. You were my mentor, my father, my best, closest friend, and my “pickle”.
I’ll keep sending you the postcards, we’ll keep chatting, and I love you, and I always will.

Really sorry to hear of your loss Chad.

Thinking of you.

Iain

Dear Rob,

I adored you, admired you, and miss you, and will continue to do all of those things. You'll always remain much-loved, and never forgotten. xx

"There is a light that never goes out"

We thank you Rob for all the good times we have shared with you and Chad, and the memories made. We will remember you for being you. Sleep peacefully. Jeremy & Sarah xx

We light a candle for you Rob to say thank you for all the good times we have shared with you and Chad, and the memories made. We will remember you for being you. Sleep peacefully. Jeremy & Sarah xx

Chad, our thoughts are with you and we are very sorry at Rob's untimely passing.

I did not get the opportunity to meet Robert, but I am sure it would have been a privilege. May he now rest in peace. My thoughts are with you Chad.

You are in our thoughts at this sad time.

Just a small gesture towards a great man