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Rob Atkinson R.I.P.
October 30, 2004
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the death earlier today of Rob Atkinson, who passed away after a long illness in Llandough Hospital at the age of 58. Rob was one of the 12 founder members of Les Croupiers and was its first secretary, after the club formed in 1980.
He was a man who believed in enjoying life to the full, and he certainly achieved that. A Barry lad, he started athletics in school as a race walker, and graduated to road running in the early 1970s. Never one to do things in half measures, Rob was soon training 100+ miles per week, and it paid dividends. A member of Cardiff AAC at this time, a small group of talented road runners won many team titles. His best year was 1974, when he won the Welsh Marathon title in 2:22:53 (A time that is 3 minutes faster than any Welshman has run this year - does that make me sound like a grumpy old man?), the tough and prestigious Belgrave 20 mile road race in 1:46 on a steaming hot day, and helped Cardiff to the bronze medals in the 12 stage road relays.
He was also a man who liked a pint or two (or 3 or 4 or maybe more!) such was his gregarious nature. It was this shared love of road running and drinking that led to many hilarious escapades with Rob in the late 70s and early 80s both in the UK and overseas.
He pursued this helter-skelter lifestyle to the end. Even near the end, when he knew his days were numbered, Rob's infectious optimism shone through. The glass of life was always half full, in Rob's eyes, never half empty, and if a glass was half full you could be sure that Rob would drink it.
Posted by Mick at October 30, 2004 10:51 PM
I'm sorry to hear of Rob's passing. I know that he and Mick were very close, and my sympathy goes to Mick and of course Rob's family.
I didn't know Rob very well, but I knew that he had been one of Cardiff AAC's top road runners before joining Les Croupiers.We stopped at a pub in Rhiwderin near Newport I think, after a race in England in the early 80s(possibly Woking 10)as Rob was the landlord, and he was a very welcoming host.
I remember Rob as a likeable, lively character who was intelligent and a talented runner.Rob was one of the runners I looked up to as a young runner, like John Walsh and Bernie Plain,and I am sorry to hear the news.Like John and Bernie, Rob was always approachable and helpful, and ready to pass on his experience.
It only seems like yesterday when i met Rob at the first meeting of Les Croupiers in the bar of the Cottage. His infectious enthusiasm for life was apparent for all to see. I developed a geat
friendship with him and cant believe i won't see him again.I often "bumped" into him in Bindles in Barry and only last year saw him at an interview for a job in my school.
We often hear the word "gentleman" bandied around
but Rob Atkinson was a true "gentle man"
I'll always remember your smiling face and caring nature.God bless you and your family.
now lets think of a way we can celebrate his life.
I would like to thank all those who attended my Dad's funeral. He would have loved to have seen you all dressed in your running gear! I am very proud at the amount of people that came to pay their respects. My sister, brother and I would love to hear from anyone who has any fond memories of Dad and will be checking the site regularly. There must be loads of stories to tell, so come on folks get typing!
Like My sister, I just wanted to thank all those that attended my Dads funeral on Monday. Although it was a difficult time it was made easy by the volume of people at the church and the running kits (and rugby shirts) worn in his honour. Please lts of any further events that my be held in my Fathers memory. If anyone has any photographs of Dad taken at running events, we would be extremely greatful to have a copy as there seem to be very few within the family. Once again, my thanks to everyone.
Thanks Mair and Sian for those sentiments. I'll ask around for memories of our members, but here's a little one for starters.......
Rob and I went to the University 10 miles race at Warwick late in June 1980. It was just after Croups had formed. It was an excellent race and Rob and I both ran well. Rob drove back straight after the race with his usual panache (just as well they didn't have speed cameras in those days). We headed straight for (yes, you've guessed it, the Cwm Ciddy). He said "I've just got to make a phone call". He rang Sheila on the public phone and said "I'm in Ross-on-Wye, love, I'll be home in an hour!
One hour later, he was still at the bar, still laughing, still joking. You couldn't keep Rob away from his beer!
Thanks Mick, that brought a smile to my face! I know what you mean about the beer!
