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Bob Orr
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Bob Orr was to have been a course leader at Swanwick 2006 but illness sadly caused him to postpone his visit for another time.

Bob passed away in August 2006, some days after Swanwick ended.

Below are some memories of the man, his humour, and his generosity.

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FROM THE CHAIR.
Katy Clarke
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We send our deepest sympathies to Bob's wife and family at this sad time.

Bob will be sorely missed at Swanwick.

He was always ready to do all he could, give all he could, help all he could.

Bob will be known to so many of us, and thought of with such fondness.

I don't think I can think of him without remembering a great big warm smile on his face.

Katy Clarke

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From Geraldine O'Neill
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Fond memories of Bob Orr

I first became acquainted with Bob Orr several years ago at Swanwick. It was one of those sunny mornings, when I was sitting on a bench reading and Bob came to ask if he could interview me for Writers’ News.

Being fellow Scots, it didn’t take us long to find common ground.

It turned out that during the war, Bob had been evacuated to the village next to the one where I grew up, and I enjoyed hearing his reminiscences about places I knew. We moved from that subject to the next and the next. At the coffee break he introduced me to his wife, Helen, and I introduced them to Mike.

Our friendship developed and we began to spend most of our free time at Swanwick together, with Bob joining Mike and David Brighton’s whisky-tasting club. When the bar closed they would take turns at introducing the most obscure brands of whisky they had found over the summer, and tried to bamboozle the others over where it originated from.

That nightly whisky scenario was something only places like Swanwick can foster amongst three friends – in their 30’s, 50’s and 70’s!

From then on we phoned and e-mailed regularly and visited each other in Scotland and Ireland, although Bob’s cheery nature was put to the test last year when he took ill visiting us, and spent a week in our local hospital.

Typically, he made friends with his fellow Irish patients who still ask after him.

Bob never let his illness get in the way of enjoying life, and writing was one of his greatest loves. Mike and I visited him in Glasgow two weeks before he died, and he talked about Swanwick and how much he had enjoyed it.

Even though seriously ill, he remained cheery and positive and still made us laugh. He also managed to have a little drink of the obscure whisky that Mike brought to the hospice for him!

This is one of the rare occasions when I am lost for words. I cannot describe how much we will miss him.

Our sincerest condolences to Helen who spent so many years with a very fine man.

Geraldine + Mike Brosnahan

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From Diana Wimbs
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Our dear, brave Bob
The dreadfully sad news about Bob Orr's untimely death has really shaken me. Almost up to the last minute, he was on this year's programme as a Course Leader and his skill, knowledge and charm would have attracted a huge attendance from young and old alike.
My love and sympathy to Helen and the rest of the family. Bob was - is - part of the magic of Swanwick and will always be so.

Diana Wimbs

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From Chris Gibbs
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I feel so sad about the passing of Bob Orr - my heart goes out to Helen and their family.
He will be greatly missed by readers of his informative interviews and column in Writers' News and as a Course Leader at Swanwick.
Although ill and constantly having to attend hospital for a long time, he always had a smile and I never heard him moan - except when at The Scottish Association of Writers weekend last February/March, he told me he hadn't slept all night because of a dripping tap in his room.
But he still smiled about it.
Little did I know that would be the last time I would see Bob.
I hope there are no dripping taps in heaven Bob.

Chris

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From June Morley
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I met Bob Orr at my first Swanwick three years ago.
He was warm, friendly and had an amusing sense of humour.
I missed him this year as I am sure many did.
It was partly due to Bob's friendliness and encouragement that I returned to Swanwick.
Although sad, I will always remember Bob with a smile.

June
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From Pat Belford and Norah Harding.
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We feel so very sad to hear of the death of Bob Orr.
He was a lovely kind, friendly man and a very talented one too.
We missed having both Bob and Helen at Swamwick this year as they have always contributed so much to the week.
Our sympathy goes to Helen and her family in their loss.

Pat and Norah.

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From Andrew Marsh
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I am saddened to hear of the loss of Bob Orr.
As a relative newcomer (four Swanwicks) I always saw Bob as a kind helpful man who would be quite content sitting contemplating on his own or deep in conversation usually offering advice or help to any that sought his view.
Bob was kind enough to do an interview with me for Writers' News about how I decided to self publish my first book. It was subsequently published in the magazine on the back cover, I was really pleased with it.
Bob always had a smile, a friendly word and time for people. In perhaps old fashioned terms, Bob Orr was a gentleman.

Andrew

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From Sarah Christie
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I'm very saddened to hear of Bob Orr's death.
He was a real gentleman and very charming company.
He will be very much missed at Swanwick.
My thoughts are with his family.
Kind regards

Sarah

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From Margaret Burton
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I met Bob through Swanwick and comedy writing and knew him to be a very kind, helpful and generous man, especially with his knowledge and expertise. We missed him this year and Swanwick won't be the same without him.
My thoughts are with Helen at this time of her very sad loss.

Margaret

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From Jean Saunders
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Bob Orr was always a gentleman and a thoroughly nice man.
I remember him with great affection, and want to send my love and best wishes to Helen.
He will be greatly missed by his other family at Swanick.

Jean

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From Tessa Gould-Hacker
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Bob's death just a couple of days after Swanwick has robbed us of a wonderfully warm and generous man who fought his illness with such bravery and even humour right up to the end.
We are all the poorer for his passing and he will be much missed.
Helen, you are in my thoughts.

Tessa.