The Queen's College Record 2023

economic historian, R H Tawney, for whom John acted as occasional gardener and
odd job man at Tawney’s cottage in the Slad Valley. In retirement, John was elected
to serve as a member of Stroud District Council. He was especially proud of his work
with the Care and Repair Service and in the restoration of Stratford Park and the
Stroud Museum. Although a well-travelled man, John’s roots were in Stroud, above
all he loved Stroud and to walk on its surrounding hills and valleys.
Obituaries
John had a fine talent for painting in water colours and oils, which was held dormant
during his middle years but leapt back to life in retirement. He had a Rumpolesque
facility for recital from the Oxford Book of English Verse. His connoisseurship of the
string quartet was remarkable.
John was a man who brought good cheer into a room. He remained a proud
Queensman until the end of his life, always relishing the opportunity to visit the
College when he could. He is much missed by all those who knew him.
Tim Mould (1978)
KENNETH STANLEY ROBERTS
Ken was born in Wallasey, Wirral on 27 August 1939. He
went to Wallasey Grammar School and then came up to
Queen’s as a Styring Exhibitioner to read history in 1958.
Before coming to Oxford, in 1957 Ken went to school in New
York City, at Horace Mann, for 12 months as an exchange
student where he established many lifelong friendships.
At Queen’s he was a keen rower, and a respected cox.
Ken’s personality shone through at College. He was very amiable, with a wicked
sense of humour, and enjoyed his college life to the full, though perhaps slightly to
the detriment of his studies.
Nonetheless, Ken came down in 1961 with a third-class honours degree in his
chosen subject.
He would revisit the College very many times throughout his life. If in town he’d often
call in to the buttery for a beer in a favourite silver tankard. He always had time for
a joke or two with College staff.
Queen’s was firmly part of Ken’s whole adult life.
College Record 2023 | The Queen’s College 117