RIP Rob Robbins

Got some very sad news today from speaking with Paul Butler after Kenardington road race, which he said I should pass on. Rob Robbins, or "Sydenham Rob" as he was often called by us for always wearing his Sydenham kit on avanti rides, passed away last week. His body was found at his house. It is thought he had been going through a difficult time, but it's unclear what exactly happened.

Many of us in group 1 got to know Rob fairly well last year where he was a regular on Sundays. He was a very sociable and friendly character, and a blisteringly quick hill climber - super fit. I remember his sage advice on the catford hill climb, which he convinced me to do (his picture from last year's effort still on the frontpage of Sydenham site) and for the trip to the interclub road race where he took his pet dog on the mini bus! When I last spoke to Rob at the beginning of the year, he said he had a shoulder problem which needed surgery, which I assumed was the reason we haven't seen him since.

Sydenham maybe organising a memorial drink for Rob. He will be missed.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Fitzgerald on August 5, 2012 at 15:48

Oh no, what tragic news. He always seemed so happy especially when on his bike.
A really nice guy who I am sure will be sadly missed by many.

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Permalink Reply by michael farla club captain on August 5, 2012 at 20:21

yep pleasant chap always chatting !

he will be missed at G1

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Permalink Reply by Chris Dines on August 6, 2012 at 11:33

Got news of this through other channels. I'm really shocked to be honest. I think his funeral is very soon, but Sydenham are organising a meet in a pub as well. I'll put up details when I get them.

Rob had major problems with a shoulder operation that did not go well, and required loads of further work and a continuous diet of pain killers. I met him two months ago and he was still as friendly as ever, despite all that.

Anyway, I don't know the details (nor do others as far as I'm aware). Really tragic and a guy who will be missed by a lot family and friends.

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Permalink Reply by DaveB on August 7, 2012 at 0:34

This is terrible news. I communicated with him a year or two back on the finer points of Time Trial Time Keeping. An intelligent keen cyclist who as a guest at an Avanti Club meeting proved himself both polite and articulate when speaking to members.

We send our deepest sympathy to all his family and close friends. Dave Bettinson Chairman

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Permalink Reply by stephen warner on August 7, 2012 at 21:13

R.I.P ROB ROBBINS. only meet you twice .21M hilly TT .G1 ride . really friendly chap .

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Permalink Reply by Doug Gray on August 10, 2012 at 1:48

Dear friends

As some of us are unable to make his funeral we would like
to invite you for a beer to pay our respects to Rob Robbins. This isn't going to
be formal at all; let's have some fun and use it as an excuse to catch up with
friends, in fact the more jibberish the better, we're sure that's what Rob would
have wanted!

We're meeting at 8.00pm in The Black Boy, Sevenoaks Friday 10th August. It's in Bank St. TN13 1U. Paul will be on his mobile 07899 693 446.

We hope to see you there.

Dave Twin and Paul Butler