Many in Caterham have been saddened by the death on Wednesday 12th September 2012 of Bob Tomlin, one of their great community stalwarts at the age of 64. He suffered cardiac arrest on Thursday 6th September and passed away peacefully six days later without regaining consciousness, surrounded by his family.

Locally, Bob will probably be remembered most for his involvement in politics. He was a central figure in the Liberal Democrats within Caterham Hill and East Surrey for over thirty years. Bob was also well known in the town through his regular participation in the Sacred Heart Church and his work at local solicitors Dollman and Pritchard. He was also a deputy district judge. A man of great faith, for decades he was actively involved in pilgrimages to Lourdes, including organising a local parish pilgrimage. Over the years, he held many positions within national and local charities and helped at many local fundraising activities. For several years he was also a member of the monitoring board at the Gatwick detainee centre and a school governor at St. Bede’s, Redhill.

In local politics Bob became the first Liberal Democrat Councillor to be elected in Queen’s Park ward in 1986 and he was re-elected with a massively increased majority in 1990. He was the parliamentary candidate for East Surrey in the 1992 General Election, gaining 25.4% of the vote – not surpassed by his party until 2010. Sadly the first of his health problems prevented him from defending his Council seat in 1994 but he continued to play a huge part within the party, always holding various official posts – for the last few years, he has been Treasurer of the East Surrey constituency party. In recent times, believing he had largely conquered his health problems, he wanted to contribute publicly again and was very narrowly defeated by 31 votes in his quest to regain Queens Park in May this year.

From Bob’s view, however, his greatest achievement and pride was always his family. His wife, Mary, and daughters, Helen, Catherine, Paula and Louise, were a constant delight to him and he enjoyed spending time with his growing band of grandchildren.

The above is scant recognition of Bob’s tireless efforts to improve the lives of others and he will be terribly missed by all who knew him.