The Record 2009 - Keble College - University of Oxford

The College at Large
Alexander (Alec) Thomas
Leonard Pitt (1936)
Paul John Politt (1947)
died on 20 January 2009 aged 91. His mother died when he
was only 2 during the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic. Educated at
Brentwood School he came up to Keble as the Richard Taylor
Exhibitioner to read Theology. He played football for the
College (1936–9), was a member of the Essay Club and was an
actor and Stage Manager in a Keble play. He decided he did
not have a true vocation for the priesthood and so volunteered
for the Royal Navy but ended up as an infantry private in the
Sussex Regiment (1939–40) and was commissioned into the
Essex Regiment (1940). He transferred to the Intelligence Corps
(1942) and rose to the rank of Major before being demobilized
(1946). He served in West Africa (1940–1), France, Belgium and
Germany (1944–5) being mentioned in Despatches (1945). He
worked for the Ford Motor Company (1946–81). He retired as
Pensions Manager and had served as Chairman of the National
Association of Pension Funds (1971–3). He was an ardent West
Ham supporter having been born in the East End of London.
He had married in 1940 and they were together for 59 years
until Jenny’s death. He is survived by their only daughter
Jennifer and one grandson Daniel.
died on 18 January 2009 aged 83. Educated at Manchester
Grammar School he won a scholarship to Keble to read
Theology but was called up for service in the Royal Navy
(1943–7). His son Richard tells us ‘that the war changed
him and on his return he studied Modern History. He was
awarded the Curzon Memorial Prize (1950) for an essay on
the rise of British naval power and the trade with India. He
rowed for the College 1 st VIII. He considered business or
public service and chose the new National Health Service
and had a successful career as an Administrator at 8 hospitals
and health authorities over 36 years ending it as District
Administrator for West Cumbria. He took time out from the
job to teach for 3 years at the Nuffield Institute in Leeds. He
maintained and cultivated his love of gardening (primarily
rhododendrons and alpines), antiquary and architecture and in
recording both photographically. He had far too many books,
liked bad puns and never managed to drink all the wine he
bought. On retiring he took a Humanities degree at the Open
University and continued involvement with the Maryport
Educational Settlement, guiding at Isel Old Hall and recording
Cumbrian stonework with NADFAS. He died after a long
illness that had reduced his mobility and energy.’ He leaves a
wife Joan, children David, Susan, Richard and Simon and 5
grandchildren.
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