Forres citizen Bob Hellyer passes away

THE LIFE of a well-known local business-man and citizen of Forres was celebrated on Saturday.

Bob Hellyer, family man, former RAF Squadron leader, ex-Forres Community Council chairman, adopted son of Forres and friend to many, passed away on August 29 aged 78.

Bob was born on May 21, 1944 in Plymouth to parents Ronald and Phyllis. He met his future wife, June, on a school bus in Singapore. They were later married in Whitely Bay on March 27, 1965 and had children, Lisa, Nikki, PJ and Mike, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Daughter Lisa remembers a happy childhood that took the RAF aircrew sergeant’s family across the globe and to more than one home in the Forres area.

She said: “My family started in Plymouth and Singapore, moved to Kingston Surrey, then Burnside, Kinloss. Next was Greenwood Nova Scotia before we moved back to Forres – first to Califer Road then Tolbooth Street. Dad loved the beautiful scenery and lovely people. He felt comfortable and didn’t want to go back down south. His kids settled at school here too.”

Finally leaving the RAF as a Squadron Leader, Bob and June opened a computer shop in 1986, initially on Tolbooth Street, before moving to High Street years later. Lisa concedes that the business did not lead to a fortune but it established Bob as a weel-kent figure in the community, someone who could be consulted on all things computing, and many things beyond.

It was computing which led Colin Lipscomb to a 40-year friendship with Bob.

Colin said: “On my demob from the RAF in 1981 I needed a personal computer and went to Bob’s shop, then a friendship developed. We had many traits in common, the military being one, but what made us click was that we were both open, calling a spade a spade.”

The desire for straight-talking soon became a feature of their involvement in Forres Community Council (FCC). Providing practical support for local youth was often high on their agenda.

Colin said: “We tried to expand provision for young people. Bob’s pet project in town was for the Moving On Centre and the youth club in the community centre which he equipped free of charge. He was the first to put his hand in his pocket, without publicising his involvement.”

Current FCC chairman, David Parker, appreciated Bob’s softer side.

He said: “He helped me very much with the passing of my late wife in 2002, gave me much support when involved in setting up of Forres Men’s Shed and becoming a member of Forres Community Council.”

Bob’s selfless commitment to Forres was also endorsed by former Gazette editor, Tanya MacLaren

She said: “Our paths would cross at community council meetings where he would do his best to get his own way! He used to pop into the office – I always enjoyed our robust discussion and he would never leave on a bad word.”

Bob’s dedication to making life better in Forres was also recognised by local MP Douglas Ross.

He said:”I was very sad to hear that Bob Hellyer has passed away in hospital. He wasn’t frightened of voicing his opinion and when he got onto an issue he would pursue it to the end on a matter of principle. He will be sadly missed.”

Bob’s family welcomed around 100 people to the Mosset Tavern pay their respects on Saturday (September 24) afternoon.