Obituaries and In Memoriam

Anthony Adler

(1956-61) Anthony Adler passed away aged 78 on 25th September 2021, suddenly from a heart attack. Anthony attended St Paul’s School from 1956 to 1961 where he chaired the debating society. He worked for many years in the music industry. More recently he was known for his historical research activities, often questioning accepted and/or recently re-assessed historical interpretations and frequently disproving them by presenting the facts which he investigated meticulously. A loving husband to Jan and brother to Gill, he will be forever missed by them and by family and friends. Anthony’s family and friends

Christopher Wilberforce Arnold FAIA

(1939-44) Chris was born in Barnes and like his elder brothers Pat, Michael and Hugh, he attended Colet Court prior to St Paul’s. World War II was declared days before Chris’s first term at School. So, Chris set off on his bicycle together with brother Hugh, to Crowthorne. There, Chris followed the classics and later history, though he loved most his time in the art room, coming under the influence of Erik Sthyr. Chris recalled Sthyr as revolutionary and brilliant. Though it was not to be his career, Chris was an innately talented artist and his paints were to become his constant companion. In his final year Chris became Captain of School.

Chris next enlisted in the RAF. After a short course at Cambridge sponsored by the Forces, he was sent to Arizona for pilot training. To Chris’s regret the war ended before he won his wings. However, the experience of the U.S was life changing and he vowed to return. After demobilisation, he studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture, following which he won a Fulbright scholarship to Stanford University. While at Stanford he met his wife, Jodie. They were to make their home in Palo Alto, a short distance from the Stanford campus. They were together for over 67 years.

Chris began his career by designing a number of houses and buildings in the Palo Alto area, including some of the dormitories at Stanford. In 1965, he co-founded the architectural firm Business Systems Development to further the then-new principles of systems design. Later he became a specialist in seismic retrofitting and travelled extensively to earthquake sites. In 2000, he served as president of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI). Chris also taught at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design and was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA).

Chris is survived by Jodie, children Vivien, Corry (Sharon), Gina, grandchild Caitlin and his extended family across the globe. John Arnold OBE (1962-67), nephew, and Gina Arnold, daughter

Nicholas Driver

(1957-1962) Nick was both son and father of Paulines – Robert (Bobby) (1920-24) and William (1986-91) – and greatly enjoyed his time at School, making many lifelong friends through both his sporting endeavours and the Christian Union. He was a prefect, a member of the 1st XV and the 1st VIII, rowing in the Princess Elizabeth Cup at Henley.

After graduating from the College of Estate Management in 1966, he joined Cluttons, before moving in 1970 to London Merchant Securities, where his career flourished as he rose to become Managing Director, a position he held until retirement in 2004. His sound commercial judgement was highly regarded by his chairman Lord Rayne.

In 1968 Nick met Anne while queuing outside the Royal Albert Hall for a performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius. This was the start of a long and devoted relationship, which lasted the rest of his life – 53 years. They were married in 1969 and subsequently had two children, Emily and William both now GPs.

Nick was very involved in the local community, twice serving as churchwarden at St Mary’s, Stoke d’Abernon and being a member of the PCC for 20 years and in retirement he accepted an invitation to chair the steering committee for the Cobham Envisage Project which involved canvassing the opinions of 22,000 residents on their views for the future of the local area. Additionally, he was a Trustee and volunteer visitor for Independent Age for several years.

He, Anne and the family spent many happy holidays, often with friends, in villas in Italy and France and many memorable weeks were spent in Cornwall in their cottage and in Paris in their apartment.

For the last few years of his life Nick struggled against the debilitating effects of leukaemia with great courage and resilience, always replying “I’m fine” however parlous his condition. Nick will be remembered with great affection by his wide circle of friends for his kindness, good humour and great generosity. Anne Driver (widow) and friends

A self-portrait by Chris Arnold

H Franklyn Ellison

(1958-1962) Franklyn was born on 2 November 1945 in London to a Viennese mother, and Czech father, both Holocaust survivors. Their family name was Elefant, changing, when they became British, to Ellison.

He particularly enjoyed the musical opportunities at St Paul’s and throughout his life enjoyed music in many forms.

His parents’ European background and the need to acquire equipment for a fledgling jewellery business meant his father travelled abroad and began to take the family to Europe from the mid-fifties where Franklyn learnt to ski, something that became one of his passions throughout his life. His last ski trip was three weeks before he died.

When he left School, he was articled to a firm of chartered accountants in Mayfair, qualifying in 1968 shortly before he married.

He worked in Johannesburg and Geneva before joining a London firm of accountants in 1970 becoming a partner there two years later.

He and Margaret welcomed the birth of their three children and he took great pride in their achievements, academic, sporting and musical, but also taking particular pleasure in introducing each of them to skiing in Europe.

In 1986 he decided to become a sole practitioner, setting up a practice that operated from home in Ealing supported by a loyal team of part time staff who liked the informal work setting. After 18 years he amalgamated his practice with a larger one so as to ensure he could oversee the care of his clients whilst he prepared to retire to Switzerland, moving to Montreux on Lake Geneva in 2007.

The life there appealed to him and he especially enjoyed sharing activities with his children and their families when they visited.

Lockdown meant he and Margaret were unable to come to England until March 2021. Sadly, the second night after they arrived, with no warning he died peacefully in his sleep.

He was greatly loved and loving and had many friends. Margaret Ellison

Sean M Mitchell

(1975-80) Sean Mitchell, actor, singer, US Marine, software developer, devoted husband and father, died of brain cancer in August 2020 at age 57.

American-born, he became internationally aware because of the multicultural student body at St Paul’s and its exchange programme that sent him to Germany. After St Paul’s, he earned a degree in computer science at Stanford University, along the way serving 4 years in the US Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. Many of his later enthusiasms were shaped by his years at St Paul’s. His success in software development at Microsoft owed much to his instruction in maths and science, and his theatrical achievements began with backstage work for a St Paul’s show. After leaving Microsoft, he pursued his passions for acting, singing, and teaching in the Seattle area, giving memorable performances in How I Learned to Drive, many Shakespeare plays, Waiting for Godot, and A Christmas Carol. He taught programming concepts and helped to build sustainable computer science programmes in local schools.

Sean had a gentle wit and generous soul. He knew something about almost any topic and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. An engaging and giving performer with a booming bass voice, he was also an appreciative audience member with an unmistakable laugh. He always sang, with the Stanford Fleet Street Singers, the Microsoft Baud Boys, in the church choir, and simply around the house. He was known for his unfailing kindness, endless patience, one-dimpled smile, and completing the New York Times Crossword Puzzle in ink – also informed by his St Paul’s education. Diagnosed with glioblastoma in July 2019, Sean faced every treatment and setback with optimism, never losing his exuberance and determination to live life to its fullest.

Sean is survived by his wife of 28 years, Elizabeth; three children, Gene, Grant, and Gus; mother, Carol; sister, Jenny; brother George, and countless beloved family and friends. The Mitchell Family

John R Partridge

(1959-1964) John Partridge was born in Twickenham on 19 October 1945. He attended the Mall School and went on to St Paul’s in 1959. He formed many firm friendships at both schools and his affection and loyalty to them continued throughout his life. At St Paul’s, John was a keen sportsman representing the School in swimming, rowing and rugby. Indeed, in later years he was always keen to lead a chorus of ‘swing low’, Guinness in hand with the Old Paulines.

John was also in the RAF air cadets and thought of flying as a career after achieving his pilot’s licence. On leaving St Paul’s however he decided to study law and joined his father’s practice before moving to Slaughter and May in the City. In later life he moved to Dubai to practise law and then settled in Thailand to enjoy his retirement.

John loved sailing and skiing as well as tackling plenty of swimathons. As a keen reader with an intellectual curiosity, he even made it through Proust and was knowledgeable across a huge range. He was an enthusiastic traveller and his time in Thailand was spent enjoying the local cuisine (maybe a little too much) and learning about Asian history. In recent years he treasured trips exploring the Baltic states with his Pauline friends.

He was diagnosed with cancer in July and after a short illness died peacefully at St Christopher’s hospice in Sydenham. John and all the family are extremely grateful for their outstanding care.

He leaves his two children Kathryn and Robbie and will be greatly missed by all. Contributions from family and friends

Michael John Stacey

(1949-53) Born in Windsor in October 1935, Michael died in Nottingham in November 2020.

He lived firstly in Slough, and then Eton Wick. As a small boy he sang in the choir of St John the Baptist Church, Eton Wick. This led to an audition, and subsequent selection as a chorister, in the choir of Eton College Chapel from 1945 to 1949.

Michael entered St Paul’s School in 1949 and found himself in V Alpha. Apart from his musical interests, Michael loved sport, particularly cricket. He played for the Junior Colts, Colts and 1st XIs. He was awarded first team colours in 1952 and 1953, being mentioned in Wisden for those years. Leaving St Paul’s in 1953, Michael began his training as a chartered accountant with the firm of Edward Boyles and Co. in London, which he described as “quite a Pauline firm”. Having qualified in 1959, he immediately entered National Service, and was posted to Cyprus for two years.

Michael was demobbed in 1961 and joined the firm of Hubbart, Du rose and Pain, chartered accountants in Nottingham, becoming a partner, until the firm merged with Cooper Parry in 1996. A member of Nottingham City Business Club, Michael became its President from 1988 to 1989. In 1993, a heart problem became apparent, and Michael underwent heart by-pass surgery in 1994. He retired in 2000.

Michael enjoyed watching cricket and rugby. In his musical life, he was a member of Nottingham Bach Choir, and the Newstead Abbey Singers. He conducted a Derbyshire choir, and formed an ‘acapella’ quartet of singers, whose concerts raised funds for charity. He was an auxiliary tenor lay clerk in the choir of Southwell Minister for seventeen years, the highlight being singing for the Royal Maundy service in 1984.

Michael loved gardening and, as a relaxation, created beautiful tapestries for pictures, cushion and chair covers.

Michael was married with two sons and four grandchildren. Janine Stacey – widow

Rear Admiral Chris Stanford CB OStJ

(1963-67) Christopher David Stanford attended St Paul’s (1963-1967) then read Modern History and French at Merton College, Oxford. Joining the Royal Navy in 1967, his naval career spanned 35 years and included major sea commands during the Cold War, Gulf and Bosnian conflicts, interspersed with senior positions within the Ministry of Defence. In his final, much lauded role, Chris oversaw the transfer of the last military hospital to NHS ownership and the establishment of Birmingham’s innovative Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. In 2002, Chris moved seamlessly into a second career as an international headhunter at Odgers Berndtson, handling senior roles across Government, the Healthcare sectors, Life Sciences and Education. Notable appointments under his stewardship included the President and Provost of UCL, the President and Principal of King’s College, London, the Chief Medical Officer, and the Chief Executive of NHS England.

Chris will be remembered as an enormously capable, open-hearted and gregarious person, and a greatly valued mentor and friend to many. He was passionate about British railway history, and with his wife, Annie, rescued and renovated an 1882 Victorian railway carriage, which resides in their beloved Somerset cottage garden. Other passions included maritime history, photography, singing and playing the guitar (and entertaining the ship’s company during long stints at sea), live music, the arts, visiting historic houses and gardens, rugby, and enjoying leisurely restaurant meals with his children.

Chris was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University, made a member of the Order of St John in 2001, and appointed CB in 2002. He was a Fellow of the Nautical Institute and of the Royal Society of Arts, a Master Mariner, Chairman of the Somerset and Dorset Marine Society and Sea Cadets, a Younger Brother of Trinity House, a Board member of the White Ensign Association and a Governor of King Edward VII’s Hospital.

Chris is survived by Annie, his four children, and four grandchildren, whom he adored. The Stanford Family

In Memoriam

Charles Abrams (1965-69) Anthony (Tony) R Adler (1956-61) Alan M Bayes (1956-61) John R T Brazier (1967-72) Nigel I Cameron (1947-52) Howard A Clark (1961-65) James A Cuming (1957-60) Geoffrey B Curtis OBE, MC (1935-39) Ian A Deane (1947-52) Ian C Dewar (1966-70) Nicholas G E Driver (1957-62) Anthony E W Dux (1966-71) Alexander R R Eason (1943-47) Harry (Franklyn) F Ellison (1959-1962) (Tom) Gerald A Everett (1941-46) Erle Gardner (1939-42) David A Grobecker (1943-45) David W Hearn (1942-47) Julian J R Mason (1964-68) Sean M Mitchell (1976-80) John R Partridge (1959-64) Peter J F Richardson (1948-50) David J H Rogers (1938-39) Christopher D Stanford (1963-67) David E W Stone (1950-55) Roslyn C Zurlinden (1947-51)