Alan 'Bob' Beckett passed away on May 24, 2024 in the company of his loving family. He was born in Sheffield in 1934 to Albert and Evelyn (nee Walton) Beckett. He was a loving older brother to David and spent his childhood fishing, playing football, collecting stamps, and taking photographs on his kodak brownie. In adulthood, he would add cricket and marathon-running to the mix; he was also an avid walker, completing the coast-to-coast several times with friends over the years. Our grandad was well-travelled, but perhaps enjoyed visiting with his family in Turkey and the States most of all. His passionate attempt to explain, with visual cues, Birds Instant Custard to a rather bewildered diner waitress in rural Vermont is a testament to the enduring value of cultural exchange. 

Before his career as a teacher and woodworker, he was deployed to the Malaysian jungle with the RAF. He enjoyed taking out his photo albums from his time there and talked with great admiration of the local families with whom he visited and stayed. Bob would lovingly tell the story of how his lovely mum sent him a fruitcake for his birthday, well, a 4-month old fruitcake after its rather arduous travels.  

Our grandad was at his happiest in the company of his family and/or when taking on challenging projects and puzzles. There wasn't a project too big or a jigsaw too complex. Most interestingly, he completed woodworking projects for the Sheffield Cathedral and the Bishops' House; his daughter Jane assisted, a time together that she remembered so fondly. Most impressively, a sculpture of a fish that he made during his time at teacher training college was displayed in the Leeds Art Gallery literally alongside a work by Barbara Hepworth. Most recently, he crafted small rocking chairs out of oak -- one of his favourite woods to work with -- for his youngest great-grandchildren. Our grandad was charming and cheeky, one of those sparkly people that you don't easily forget. He had an entire fridge dedicated to treats (with produce drawers full of chocolate bars) and he gave the very best hugs. 

Bob was so generous with his time and his knowledge; all of our homes bear the traces of his hard work, handiwork, and talent. He carried within him the weight of a long life, with all of its highs and lows, triumphs and regrets, its loves and losses. But through it all, our grandad remained steadfast in his commitment to living each day to the fullest: at 90 years old, he was painting his fence the week he went into hospital!

Sadly, he was proceeded in death by his brother Dave and his eldest daughter Jane. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra, five children (Debra Jeffcock, Lisa Saul, Nigel Seymour, Carl Seymour, and Lisa Seymour), 12 grandchildren, and 6 (soon to be 7) great-grandchildren. May his memory be a blessing and a bright light. 

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