Bob Hales has passed away at the age of 93 years old.
Bob was a significant supporter of Tonbridge Athletic Club, right from the very earliest days of the club’s existence. He joined Tonbridge AC, as a school boy, when the club was formed in 1947.
The club’s 25 year anniversary booklet in 1975 makes reference to Bob marrying his wife Daphne in 1951, when they were both members of Tonbridge AC. It also explains that Bob’s mother was a results recorder in those early years. He also organised the club’s Whist Drives in the 1950s, which acted as both a social occasion and to raise funds.
Alan Bennett, the current TAC President, recalls Bob was a generous benefactor to the club, to the extent that it enabled subscriptions to be kept at affordable levels for many years.
Bob was an active committee member through the 1970s and at one stage was Club President, from around 1984.
He was also a great supporter of other local organisations, such as Lamberhurst Golf Club and Tonbridge Juddians, previously the Old Juddians. Bob attended Judd School, which has remained a strong source of athletics and other sporting talent over the years.
Even as purely a keen supporter in his later years, Bob used to enjoy the Club’s newsletter “The Puffer” and lamented its passing as the digital age took over from the printed word, but still managed to keep in touch with TAC with the reports in the Kent & Sussex Courier.
Current members may well see the small plaques on the trophy cabinet and on the notice board, in the Pavilion beside the track – they were commissioned and funded by Bob Hales and serve as a fine memorial to a true gentleman and supporter of Tonbridge Athletic Club.
Bob was a charming individual, well known to many people and organisations in the Tonbridge and the surrounding areas, who will be sorely missed.
Condolences go to all his family and friends and may he Rest in Peace.