Brian Kenneth Youngs (4.3.1924 - 29.11.2012) (the great BKY as he was known to Anne and his sons) was born in Church Crookham on March 4, 1924.  He was not a well child and at 14, and weighing less than 7 stone, Brian was told (by doctors) that he would never run a 100 yards – well he always liked a challenge and truly put this to rest with his physical achievements over the next 70 odd years - none more so than being the over 70’s Veterans Squash Champion of Great Britain in both 1995 and 1996.

Brian was educated at Aldershot County High (where Brian won a scholarship) and then Farnborough Grammar School and he went on to study Zoology and Chemistry at his beloved University College London graduating in 1949.  He then acquired the University Diploma in Education in 1950 that allowed him to go on and teach at Highbury.  However with a new found passion for natural medicine coupled with Brian’s insatiable appetite to push oneself; he studied at the same time at the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy (“BNOA”) (1949-1953) achieving Honours in three subjects. The transition from teaching to a career in osteopathy and naturopathy was gradual with the first patients at weekends and in the evening.  Soon this became a vibrant practice and although Brian gave up teaching in 1959 but he never forgot those formative years at Highbury and spent a significant time in his latter years reminiscing and catching up with Old Highburians.

Brian married his childhood sweetheart (Olive Ivy Silvester – known to all as Anne) on 21st August 1948 after a textbook romance.  Brian and Anne were both madly in love and devoted through their whole lives up until their passing. Brian, his sons know, did find the last 8 years (without Anne) difficult and somewhat lonely. May they now rest in peace together.

Brian and Anne had five sons, Peter, Jonathan, Richard, Robert and Simon. Unfortunately Richard was born with a congenital heart defect and only lived for eighteen months – this was a heavy burden for the family.  Brian was a very supportive father always wanting the very best for his children; pushing; prodding always wanting them to have yet another of life’s experience and it was no mean sacrifice that Brian and Anne made to get Peter, Jonathan, Robert and Simon to Gordonstoun to receive an education that was biased towards experiences. It is a testament to Brian all of his sons have emerged well educated and in important careers.  The family legacy lives on and Brian had 10 grandchildren (5 girls (Bryony, Holly, Sophie, Emilie, Charlotte) and 5 boys (Nigel, Harry, Patrick, James and William).

Outside of Brian’s commitment to osteopathy and naturopathy where he served the BNOA in many capacities from 1955 to the 1970’s (including as President from 1964 to 1966), Brian had a passion for friendship and association. In this regard he was an active member of Round Table, 41 Club and then Rotary for some 50 years. During that time, he participated fully serving each as President during his membership tenure. Brian remained an active participant of Rotary until just a few weeks before his death.

Brian was a good father, a friend to many and a great man – he will be missed by all of us.