athletics and fives. Nigel became a prefect in 1968 and Head Boy in 1969, before winning the Headmaster’s prize in his final year. He earnt degrees in medicine and surgery from Birmingham University, registered with the GMC and began a career as a GP lasting 45 years. Nigel’s first job was in Hastings, moving to Canada in 1978 to a practice in a small town north of the capital, Regina. He returned to Stroud in 1984 and founded a new practice in which he remained until retirement at 72. In 1975 he married Christine, who died in 2012. They had four sons, James, Matthew, Adam, and Mark. He also leaves three grandchildren. In 2021, Nigel entered a civil partnership with Fiona, a joyful relationship lasting more than ten years. He loved Fiona’s family; Sarah, Izzy, Sam, Isla, Georgia, Scott and Jet. They will miss him terribly. Roderick Potter (1971) (Obituary first published in the 2023 edition of the Griffen. Editorial correction to Roderick Potter’s leaving year from 1960 to 1971.) Rod died peacefully at home on the 19 June 2021 aged 68 years. His wife, Kathryn, was at his side and his sons, Mark and Maximilian, were with him until the end. Roderick enjoyed all aspects of Abingdon School, excelling academically and in sport. After graduating, he worked in London then Bristol, eventually moving to rural North Bedfordshire enjoying a successful career in the Civil Service. He loved the countryside and in the 1990s purchased land in rural Normandy where he had a house built and set about renovating an ancient barn. Latterly, the family moved to a small village near to the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border dividing their time between their properties in Normandy and the Cotswolds. Roderick, a true gentleman, who displayed great intellect, integrity, wit, modesty and stoicism, will be forever missed. He was loving and deeply loved. Kathryn Potter Charles Pfeil (1971) Charles had many happy memories of field trips to Dolgoed under the supervision of Geography teacher Harry Eden. These trips gave him a love of the natural world and also deep spiritual convictions which helped him in later life. His working life was split between industry and the Civil Service. His last job was as a security guard for a parcel depot in Bristol. Charles had many interests and hobbies: history, the environment, family history and animal welfare. On retirement, Charles moved to Fife where he became a board member for the local church and a community councillor. Charles died on 17 September 2023. Jenny Pfeil Peter Hingley (1972) Peter was one of three brothers to attend the school. He was an early learner and took the fourth term Oxford exam, advancing to study Biochemistry at Christ Church College. Peter studied Statistics further and went on to spend the majority of his career at the European Patent Office in Munich, retiring in 2020. Peter is survived by his wife Mosako, daughters Sakura and Suzy, and grandchildren Chloe, Benjamin, Sebastian and Oscar. Martin Hingley (1977) Geoffrey F Bailey (1964) Geoffrey passed away on 28 December 2022 in Oxford. While at Abingdon, he enjoyed taking part in sports and the CCF and fondly remembered the visit of Princess Margaret in 1963. Geoffrey lived and worked in Abingdon for most of his life. Julie Mckeown Paul Beale (1969) Paul Beale sadly passed away aged 71 on 21 August 2022. After Abingdon, Paul joined AERE Harwell as a Scientific Assistant, where he contributed to frontline research on superconductors, atmospheric pollution & radiation safety. From 1971–73, he studied for a BSc degree in Chemistry and Geology at the University of Aston and, after graduation, pursued a focused MSc course in Mineral Exploration at Leicester University. Paul’s career as a geological engineer in oilfield discovery began in Paris but soon took him all over the globe from West Africa to the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and, finally, Singapore. He and his wife (and their much-loved dog) retired to Vietnam in 2018. He will be sorely missed by his many friends (including several other OAs) and colleagues from all over the world and, of course, by his wife (Lee), son, daughter, and grandchildren. Rob Newbold (1966) Nigel Booker (1969) Nigel passed away on 28 January 2023. In September 1963, he started at Abingdon School, where his academic excellence and sporting skills were evident. He captained the rugby team throughout his time at school and encountered success in rowing, cricket, GRIFFEN 2024 | 34 Obituaries
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