Richard Pegler – PrepB, ThA 57-64

Submitted by John Pegler

Richard was born to Harry Pegler, a biochemist working for Glaxo Laboratories, and Jean (née Bradley) on 5 June 1946 in Ruislip, Middlesex. He went to Coteford Infant & Junior Schools until in 1957 he was presented for the CH entrance exam by a CH Governor who was a Director at Glaxo.

He was bullied during his year in Prep B and when he first moved to Thorn A, and was therefore rather miserable in his first few years. But he stuck it out and, although rather rebellious in his teenage years when he adopted the nickname “Rick”, he always acknowledged the advantages the school afforded him and he was very loyal to CH. His own experience of being bullied made him committed to stopping it when he was older and therefore in a position to do so. This strong anti-bullying credo meant that, when I followed him to Thorn A two years later, he looked after his little brother and made sure that I didn’t experience it, and that I followed his example of stamping it out when able.

It was while at CH that Richard developed a passion for popular music, firstly rock & roll and later blues and R&B, and after leaving school he was the part-time singer and harmonica player in a succession of groups, including one whose guitarist went on to become the guitarist for Shawaddywaddy when they were regulars in the pop music charts.

After one year at Loughborough College (as it was then known) reading aeronautical engineering, he transferred to Derby College and in 1969 obtained an HND in mechanical engineering and was nominated the Derby Student of the Year.

Richard’s first job was with Morris Cranes in Derby, followed by working for the IT companies PERA and ICL.

He married Lindsay Lodge in 1972. They lived in Leicestershire all their married lives, most of it in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

In 1992, Richard set up his own very successful company called Along Different Lines, which ran small group tours for railway enthusiasts (he had himself been a keen train spotter when young). He quickly gained a very loyal following of those who valued the opportunity of going behind the scenes on railways and travelling on special trains that he chartered throughout Europe and beyond.

In about 2004 he wound up the company and enjoyed a happy retirement indulging enthusiastically in various hobbies, particularly his continuing passion for music and more recently photographing birds, butterflies and other insects.

Richard is survived by his wife, Lindsay, by his two children, Alex and Melanie, and by three grandchildren.