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Mr Bob GarvenFrom Angus McKellar, a Former Pupil from Mr Garven's time, currently working in Nepal - "I am sitting here in our house in the foothills of the Himalayas, where I am working as a doctor in a mission hospital, having just heard the news of Bob Garven's death. His name certainly conjures up memories for me, that I would like to share with you. "I remember, as a wee 6 year old, my respect of Mr Garven as a figure of authority. My eldest daughter (8) was asking me the other day what bad things I had done at school. I recalled to her my experience in primary 3, when a trainee teacher was hauled in to teach us, and we made the most of it by pretending to be a rock band at the back of the class. I ended up in "Mr Garven's" office and experienced for the first time the questionable pleasure of his belt. "I'd better not go into the other forms of mischief I got into - but suffice to say that my memory of a young boy at Holmston was to respect my headmaster's authority! This was an excellent way to begin the long education process that lay ahead. As I observe education systems as a parent, and see the results of various forms of (often awful) schooling on, for example, the local Nepali children here, I can see the positive effects that skilled teachers have, and the negative effects of teachers who lack justness and authority. "I also realise, on looking back, the support that he gave the other teachers, including my mother who worked at the time as a part time PE teacher at Holmston. (In terms of strictness, Bob couldn't compete with my mum!!) I know that my mother certainly appreciated his friendship and encouragement. "Bob Garven was always fair, just and was a man whom his pupils respected. I am pleased to have known him as a headmaster and then, in later life, as a family friend. "Maybe this verse from Micah chapter 6 verse 8 best sums him up: He has showed you, O man, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. "It will be good if, when we also come to the end of our short lives, we can rest in the knowledge that we have done what God requires of us: to walk humbly with Him, full of justice and mercy." - Angus McKellar
Link to death notice from "Ayrshire Post". Link to obituary from "The Herald".
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