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It is with regret the I have to announce the death of Bob Baxter who Passed away on 9th November 2004 Bob came to Wickford Fencing Club in 1992 where he taught foil and epee to both youngsters and adults. He was also employed as a coach to schools in and around Essex such as Brentwood School, Forrest and Coopers Coburn.
Bob was enthusiastic about fencing and would run summer schools and
Taster courses at local colleges. His other pleasure in life was horse riding and he worked as a volunteer at a small riding stables near Wickford.
He was eventually forced to retire from fencing and became a care worker, looking after the elderly both in their own homes and in a residential centre.
Bob will be missed by all the members of Wickford Fencing Club and our sympathies go to his two sons Leif and Ryan
Steve Clarke B.A.F - Wickford Fencing Club
As Eastern Region Secretary, I would also like to add a few words of my own at this sad time. It was my attendance at one of Bob's college sessions and his encouragement to me to take up fencing after a break of twenty years that led me to start fencing at Wickford and started my involvement with Essex Fencing and Bob.
I will always be grateful to him for that day. It has led to me having ten years of happy fencing in Essex, and much of this time, Bob was my coach either at Wickford and Southend
So like a lot of Essex Fencers I have a lot of fond memories of Bob. So it is really heartbreaking news to hear of his untimely passing and would like to express the condolences of all fencers in the region to his sons at this time.
Alan Jones - Essex County Fencing Union
Bob started coaching at the Southend Fencing Club during the mid 1990’s. We were then using the gym at Westcliff High School for Boys and up to that time we had been without a coach for many years.
Having Bob with us enabled many club members, who had only previously fenced foil, to take lessons in epee and sabre for the first time.
When Bob started with us he established our first children’s group and also assisted us on a number of occasions when the club was asked to give demonstrations and “come and try “ sessions.
Most notable of these was a display at the Southend Odeon prior to a showing of “The Three Musketeers”. In fact it was only recently that Bob brought this to mind when he showed me a photo of the event.
Bob’s coaching also assisted and encouraged many of the club members over the years to start competing at County and Regional events.
Although Bob did not continue coaching with us after our move to the Deanes Sports Centre his legacy continues. We now have two children’s groups and fencers both junior and senior regularly take part in competitions.
Peter Brackin - Southend Fencing Club
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