KENNETH HUGH RHODES
The address given by Mr. J. Dronfield, M.A., J.P., at the memorial service in Chapel on September 13th.
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This gathering together this morning of those who in one way or another may be called "Friends of St. Peter's" has one purpose in mind, to remember Kenneth Rhodes, or "Rhoddy", as he was affectionately known and will be affectionately remembered—over a span of 56 years he was Peterite, Old Peterite, Oxford Exhibitioner, Member of St. Peter's School Staff, House Tutor in School House, Housemaster of School House, Senior History Master, Second Master, Housemaster of Temple, and for a long time now doyen of the Staff—all of us here knew him in one or more of these capacities, and each could add from his experience to this wide and varied catalogue of his contributions to the life of the School over these 56 years. We are also conscious of the many who could not be here today but who are very much with us in spirit, and remember so many others who alas are no longer able to be here. When we first heard of Kenneth's sudden death on July 20th we felt overwhelmed. Perhaps selfishly, we thought—"But we can't do without him—he's always been there—we relied on him—perhaps took him for granted—he has been a friend to us all!" It was to him all visitors turned —especially Old Boys and former Masters. A cheery word, a reminiscent chat, a real welcome for all. Few if any School functions did not depend on him for their organisation, and especially for those details which make or mar a function but often don't get the headlines. He was the everpresent host, the link with everyone. He loved to hear news of Old Boys, and gleaned it from every possible source. How can we do without him! Now after trying for eight weeks to get used to the idea, this sense of irreparable loss is still with us, but it is overshadowed by a sense of thankfulness—thankfulness that for so many years he was always there, thankfulness that for so many years he was such a friend to us all, thankfulness too for his devoted service to St. Peter's School, a service which I feel will never be equalled either in length of time or in quality. As one senior O.P. put it in his letter to Kenneth's sister, "Rhoddy was the salt of the St. Peter's School earth and the cement in its brickwork." St. Peter's was his life and his love, and by St. Peter's I don't of course mean just the buildings or the grounds or the present boys in the School—or the Staff or the successes or failures academically or on the sports field—all these combined—"Yes", but most of all that spirit of service which by his example he inculcated in others, and without which the School would have been a lesser place. It was he who in his quiet and friendly way extended a hand of welcome to new Masters, and who set our high standard of Common Room concord and co-operation. He had the priceless gift of being able to help all, even the most youthful and inexperienced, to settle down and to learn what schoolmastering was all about. Seniority meant nothing to him, and it was he who created this Common Room atmosphere which more than anything else has made St. Peter's a happy School. Many a Master who has served with Kenneth, including the dozens of "Student Princes"—as he called them—who came 4
