Today
around 30 members attended Mike Robinson's funeral in Exeter.
It was a
very appropriate service for Mike, no hymns or prayers, just fantastic
memories for a great man. I managed to speak to Shirley, who mentioned
that Mike did not
depart wearing a suit but instead his DSGC clothes which was far more
fitting. William spoke fondly and frankly of Mike's club activities, that
was lovely!
A pleasure for all of us to have known him and to celebrate his life. - Lisa Humphries
And for those who missed William's tribute to Mike:
Mike joined Devon & Somerset Gliding club in 1985 and in over 30 years of membership made a very significant contributions to the club. I, together with the rest of the members will find it difficult to envisage the future without Mike sitting on the 3rd seat on the left hand side of the club house table – together with a cup of tea and his stick repeatedly fall over and tripping up anyone walking past.
Mike was something of a mechanical genius. Not only was he the key player in keeping our ground vehicles going for many years. He also modified them for our needs using his talent with a welder and displaying a truly amazing design ability. This all culminated in his master piece which was the ‘Launch Point Vehicle’ which he fashioned out of an old bus by cutting away part of the roof and building an elevated control tower for the log keeper. He did the majority of this all on his own.
 |
| Launch Point Vehicle |
Mike didn’t just work on the ground vehicles. When our K6 succumbed to glue problems he stripped the airframe right down and, under the watchful eye of Ian the inspector, totally rebuilt it including spraying it. While he did have some help, the lions share of the work was done by Mike.
Mike was also a pilot. Talking to the instructors it would seem that he was a lot better than he thought he was.. He seemed to prefer tinkering with the ground equipment better than flying – particularly latterly. He really didn’t like flying the modern plastic aircraft and much preferred to fly the older wooden gliders particularly his beloved K6.
Mike was also a pilot. Talking to the instructors it would seem that he was a lot better than he thought he was.. He seemed to prefer tinkering with the ground equipment better than flying – particularly latterly. He really didn’t like flying the modern plastic aircraft and much preferred to fly the older wooden gliders particularly his beloved K6.
 |
| K6 |
Mike could be somewhat outspoken and wow betide anyone deemed not to be treating club equipment with due reverence. They would be told in no uncertain terms the error of their ways! There can hardly be a member of the club who has not incurred his wrath at some time or another. I know I have. Having said that, Mike‘s bark was much worse than his bite. He was always pleased to help and encourage anyone struggling with their flying or needing help with a mechanical repair. You always knew when he was happy as he would grumble away gentle – if he was quiet someone had upset him!
I would like to leave you with a vision of Mike sitting on his cloud far more interested in modifying the harp with which he has been issued because he thinks he can make it work better. God will be looking on and shaking his head in despair that he will ever get his card rating to fly those new angel wings with which he’s had fitted. No real change there then! - William Pope
I would like to leave you with a vision of Mike sitting on his cloud far more interested in modifying the harp with which he has been issued because he thinks he can make it work better. God will be looking on and shaking his head in despair that he will ever get his card rating to fly those new angel wings with which he’s had fitted. No real change there then! - William Pope
