Page 60 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2017

60 OBITUARIES

In 1985, Shaun and his family returned to Oman to work for become the Chief Executive for the Vale of Aylesbury Primary
the Ministry of Health, leading the Immunisation, Prevention Care Trust, before finally retiring on medical grounds with
of Blindness, and Mother and Child health programmes. Parkinson’s disease in 2004. His retirement gave him time to
These programmes involved travelling around the country and spend with his growing family, and he took great pleasure in
enthusing staff in hospitals and clinics, as well as working with watching his grandchildren play around the house and garden.
community and religious leaders to prevent disease and promote
healthy lifestyles. The family enjoyed the beautiful country and Shaun was great fun to be with, and he was one of life’s living
had a wonderful time diving, snorkeling, sailing and abseiling. legends to all those who knew him, packing more into his life
Shaun raised his young boys with a ‘can do’ attitude and was than most would have thought possible. He was an inspiration to
proud of all of their achievements. everyone around him, and he will be sorely missed.
In 1990, they moved back to their house in Dinton, and Shaun Catherine Brogan
began a new career in NHS Management, where he rose to Wife

RICHARD WAIN

OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1955 - 1959
NOVEMBER 11TH 1942 - MARCH 16TH 2017

Richard Wain was born on November 11th 1942 (on Armistice
Day, as he would like to remind people) to Cyril and Eileen Wain.
The family, which was later joined by his sister, Gillie, moved
from Birstall to Cossington, and then to Sileby, which became
their long-term family home. Richard went to school at Stamford
aged seven, initially, but on his request, aged eleven, he entered
Ratcliffe College. He was always an A-stream pupil, leaving at
sixteen with a full set of O Levels. He was also a keen rugby and
hockey player and a member of the Combined Cadet Force,
which his father, Lt Col Cyril Wain, had started in the time of Fr
Leetham (15).

After Ratcliffe, Richard entered the family business, which
his father had started in 1949, as an insurance broker, and he
achieved the ACII and ACIB before he was 21, which was most Richard eventually retired from the insurance world in 2013,
unusual. Despite not going to university, Richard continued having been in practice for 55 years. During that time, he worked
his education with evening classes at Vaughan College, where from just two different offices, and with only one piece of high-
he studied Mediaeval English. From there, it was but a short tech equipment – namely, a series of paperweights. He had
step to studying German folklore and thence to the operas of wonderfully loyal staff, and they tried to keep a reluctant Richard
Richard Wagner. Opera and music became enduring passions of up to speed in the modern world.
his. English literature also continued to be a major interest; in
particular, he was an avid reader of all things Johnsonian and a Richard never married; his ‘family’ were his sister’s children
keen member of the Dr Johnson Society. and his many godchildren and friends. He accumulated many
friends through work and the rugby club, and these two lives
Richard was an active Old Ratcliffian; having joined the Social intermingled. In the letter that he wrote on his retirement to all
Committee of the Association, he instigated Thursday evening of his clients, he said, ‘The practice has, in many respects, been
meetings for ORs at The Coal Hole in London. He later became an extension of my personal life’, and this was so true.
Secretary and served the Association for many years, during
which time, he established the Paris Dinner, amongst many other Richard died on March 16th 2017 after a short illness, with his
things. sister by his side. His funeral was held at Ratcliffe College on
March 30th, conducted by Fr Ted Mullen (60), a contemporary
His other passion was Westleigh Rugby Club, and he was the at the School, and attended by over 350 friends and family
club’s Secretary for 25 years. He saw Westleigh winning County members, many wearing cravats or Westleigh ties. Suitably, the
Championships, Sevens tournaments, and going on foreign music included ‘Beim Schlafengehen’ from Strauss’ Four Last
tours. So many friendships emerged from his association with Songs and Wagner’s ‘Ride of the Valkyries’. Fittingly, a convivial
the club - friendships that endured even after he retired from wake was held at one of his favourite pubs.
the rugby world and from work; he was godfather to many of
his clubmates’ children and followed their activities with great David Baugh (62), with contributions
interest. from Richard’s sister, Gill Watson

Register online for our new website: www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk 60

The Old Ratcliffian 2017.indd 60 07/12/2017 11:17