Rob was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer back in May 2015. The NHS did all they could, and some, and Rob bore chemotherapy and  two hip replacements with his usual positivity and optimism. This allowed him to travel in 2016 including a long-hoped-for trip to New Orleans. 

This year the disease began to get the upper hand again;  he spent three weeks in the Marie-Curie hospice in December which got him well enough to come home for a last family Christmas. Finally the nasty viruses of 2018 were too much for him and he died early on Jan 13th in the hospice with his family around him.

His biggest regret was not being well enough to take an active part in the changes in the Labour Party. He died a committed socialist full of hope for the transformation of the UK and the world.