Richard Gilpin (YG 1960)
05 January 2025
Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Richard Gilpin (YG 1960) on 29 November 2024. Richard was at Friends' from 1952-60. He was the Editor of the Old Scholars' Association Magazine in the early 2000s, and President of the OSA 2007-8. The OSA has also been in contact with Tricia Gilpin, Richard's wife and life partner, who has written the following account of Richard's life. Richard Gilpin was born on 17th September 1942 in Stamford, Lincolnshire to his parents Bernard and Pam. He died after a long battle with cancer on 29th November 2024. Aged ten, Richard joined his sister at FSSW where he was a keen bowler and enjoyed the company of many good friends - several of whom attended his funeral on 9th January. At 17 he left school and spent a year in Paris at the Sorbonne whilst also finding time to hang out at the Beat Hotel on the left bank!On returning home he became apprenticed to his uncle in the Printing Business and was enrolled on the Printing Administration Diploma at the London College of Printing. There he met Martin Lee and subsequently met Martin’s younger sister Tricia. They married in 1969 and have two children Rebecca and Sam. Richard was a great family man much loved by Tricia and the children and later by their grandson Topo.Richard worked very successfully in Printing and Publishing as Production Manager or Production Director in a variety of companies for many years but in 1992 had a change of career and worked with refugees - first with the Vietnamese Community and then at the ARHAG Housing Association for African refugees.At this point a trip to University seemed a good plan and he obtained a place at UCL at the Institute of Archeology, where he obtained a First in 2002. After a year off, when he and Tricia spent some time travelling in South America, he returned to the Institute to complete a Master’s degree - which he obtained with distinction.His retirement was a busy time: volunteering at the Museum of London, editing the newsletter of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, joint leader of Central London Young Archeologist’s Club and working one day a week as Assistant to the Archivist at the Stationers Company. In addition, many at FSSW will remember him as Editor of the Old Scholars Association Magazine.Richard had a wonderful sense of humour and kept many people amused by his original puns! He loved music and had very eclectic taste, from the Baroque to the Beatles; he also loved travel and precious family holidays.Right up to the end of his life he was kind, humourful and philosophical. Richard is very much missed by his family and friends.