My father, Robert Thomas, who has died aged 84, was a history teacher, Welsh rugby enthusiast and devoted family man. He brought warmth and humour to everything he did.
In the 1960s, Bob began teaching at a grammar school in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, before moving to a London comprehensive. He also taught inmates at Wandsworth prison, believing passionately in education as a means of overcoming inequality. He played rugby for London Welsh Druids and was often called up for the first team at short notice.
After settling in West Sussex with his wife, Lyn, in 1969 Bob became head of history at Bognor Regis school, where he inspired generations of students with his irreverent humour – he was known to tell rowdy pupils to “get back in your cage”. He was active in school theatre, played fly-half for Bognor RFC and earned a master’s in education from Sussex University.
Born in Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Bob was one of four children of Gywnneth (nee Hood) and William Thomas, a steelworker and welder. Growing up in the South Wales valleys during wartime, Bob would describe a childhood filled with mischief and imagination – sliding down hills on cardboard, playing cowboys and watching John Wayne films at the cinema. A scholarship took him to West Monmouth school, where his love of rugby and history took root.
He studied history and philosophy at Aberystwyth University, and there he met Lyn Edwards, at a dance. They married in 1964 and raised their three daughters, Anne, Sue and me.
In retirement from 1997, Bob remained intellectually curious and community-minded: he attended art history lectures, played golf and travelled widely with Lyn. He was also vice-president of Bognor RFC.
A keen listener and storyteller, Bob was kind, funny and thoughtful. His greatest joy came with being “Poppa” to seven grandchildren, delighting them with games, songs and silliness.
He is survived by Lyn, his daughters and his grandchildren.
