John Richard Marshall Spink
Fen, 1966-69
John passed away suddenly at home aged 70. He was a unique character with a brilliant sense of humour and a loud laugh! It did not take him long to engage people with his warmth and enthusiasm. Each meeting with John was memorable, uplifting and entertaining.
He was a keen sportsman and, at The Leys, he was well known for his prolific goal kicking on the rugby field. He played golf to a good standard at Walton Heath in Surrey where he lived and was a playing member of the OL Golf Society. His garden was an immaculate putting green, as good as any golf club, and he would spend many hours practicing, often late into the evening. He was also an accomplished sailor and spent much of the summer on his yacht ‘Nimrod’ on the river Helford in Cornwall.
John, like his father, became an art dealer and, with his encyclopaedic knowledge and love of English water colours of the 18th and 19th century, he had become a highly respected and leading authority, writing several books on individual artists.
John lived life to the full and those lucky enough to know him will always remember his special blend of kindness and generosity of spirit that he brought to any gathering. He will be greatly missed by his wife Michele and everyone who knew him but I like to think that he continues to laugh loudly on a celestial putting green!
RIP John
Words by Nick Lloyd, Fen 1966-71