Oliver Rhodes – ThA 60 – 69

Submitted by Jonathan Osborne and Clive Kerridge

Oliver Rhodes’ life was characterised by passion and commitment. He came to Prep A in 1960 from the wilds of Devon and after two years moved into Thorn A. Whatever interested him – be it playing the flute, boxing training, throwing the discus or London geography, he pursued with an admirable intensity few others had. Though he keenly wanted to become a vet, it was not to be and a serious disappointment for him. Instead, Oliver was an early volunteer for the UK government’s re-training scheme for a then-fledgling IT industry, in which he developed a successful career, mainly in the public sector.

After CH and his thwarted vet ambitions, Oliver moved to London. Initially living in a top-floor Bayswater garret, then with a girlfriend in a wonderful rented Bloomsbury flat, and later combining resources with partner Val Kefford to buy a place in Islington. There they had two children, Elizabeth and Nick, of whom Oliver was very proud, bringing his characteristic passion and commitment to their upbringing, in often challenging circumstances including ultimately a separation.

He was extremely knowledgeable – and passionate – about a wide range of subjects; from art, including Islamic art, textiles, chess, the restaurants of W2 and W11 and then, latterly, computer programming. He was also widely read, enjoying history (later genealogy too) and was a great enthusiast for various music genres, from jazz-fusion to Opera – coaxing many of us to open our ears to new experiences.

Oliver had no problem separating work (that which needed to be done) from non-work (that which should be done and shared). He was also a good listener, taking an empathetic interest in new acquaintances as well as in his friends’ lives and loves; with an impressive ability to recognise and remember detail.

It wasn’t all roses. He had an ambivalent attitude to School: good education and friendships but mixed experiences. Also a tendency to pessimism and intransigence: he would freely admit to being ‘difficult’ at times.

On retiring a few years ago, Oliver moved to Worthing, where he passed away on January 5th 2025after two difficult final months afflicted by cancer. Even then, he continued to write emails and to apply his organisational skills and attention to detail, putting his estate and affairs in order, right up until the end of this life fully-lived.