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Tribute to Bob draft2.doc | A Tribute to Bob |
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2025-12-03 |
Welcome to My World - Jim Reeves
Welcome to the ceremony in this life celebration of David Robert Beswick, as we commemorate with sorrow, respect, joy, and thankfulness the life of Bob. A dearly loved husband, much loved dad, devoted grandad, great grandad, loving brother, uncle and good friend to many.
Words of Welcome and Introduction (Nigel)
Tribute to Bob
In the next few minutes, it will be a privilege to share with you the life of Bob, as well as sharing in his life, we also share in our grief for his death.
After speaking with the family, they would not want you to grieve in hurt or pain but grieve in the joy that Bob has given, has received, and has shared with each of you here today.
Bob was born on 24 April 1929 in Latebrook, Goldenhill, into a loving family to parents Annie Beswick and David Beswick (Sr), joining elder siblings Annie Beswick Jr aged 12 and Albert Beswick aged 10 . Sadly, another sister Barbara Beswick, born two years before had died at 3 weeks old, so Bob’s arrival was a cause for celebration. Younger brother Derek Beswick arrived 5 years later and the family was complete. Latebrook was an ideal place to grow up in, surrounded by farmland and open fields yet only 5 minutes from the bustling village of Goldenhill. As a boy, Bob would often lend a hand on a nearby farm.
He attended Goldenhill Primary and Secondary School, where lessons were often interrupted by trips to bail out the air-raid shelter. Times were tough, but they shaped Bob’s resilience, humour, and down-to-earth nature.
Leaving school at 14, Bob stepped straight into working life. He began his career at Settle Speakman as an apprentice welder, repairing railway wagons, a job he remained dedicated to into his early forties.
He then moved to Goldendale Ironworks on the outskirts of Tunstall, and when that chapter closed, he continued his skilled work at Copestick and Farrell in Victoria Road Fenton. Later, Bob embraced a new direction, joining the timber group Southern-Evans as a Timber Salesman. When Magnet merged with the company in 1975 to become Magnet & Southern.
Bob continued to serve with the same reliability and commitment he had shown all his life. After many hardworking years, he finally took a well-earned retirement.
Bob’s life truly began to flourish when he met Nana Beswick. They were both just 14, still fresh from school, when they first saw each other at the British Restaurant in Tunstall in 1943. The country was at war, yet moments of ordinary joy, like choosing a seat near someone who caught your eye, still found their place. Although work eventually caused them to drift apart, fate stepped in again when a friend of Iris began dating a friend of Bob’s.
Their paths crossing once more began an eight-year courtship filled with dedication and young love.
Even after the war, Bob still had to complete his National Service. No 3 Training Regiment, Royal Engineers, Guillemont Barracks, Farnborough achieving the rank of corporal, He served two years at Kensington Barracks in London, and Iris would travel down on weekends to spend precious time with him.
Their love only strengthened, and on 20 September 1952, at the age of 24, they married, Bob deciding it was simply too cold to keep walking Iris home to Packmoor in the winter. Married life began in Latebrook with Bob’s parents, Annie and David. When their first child, Margret Dianne Hodgetts, arrived in November 1954, they began saving for a place of their own, moving to Sandyford in 1956.
Their family grew with the births of Nigel Robert Beswick in 1957 and Richard Beswick in 1959, completing the Beswick household. Bob was a Dad that always had time for fun and would happily keep the children amused joining in with hide and seek, Simon Says and game of cricket.
Over the years, Bob’s roles multiplied: devoted husband, loving dad to Dianne, Robert and Richard, cherished father-in-law to Robert Mark Hodgetts, Janet Beswick and Helen Beswick, and proud grandad to Bobbie Nathan Hodgetts, Craig Beswick and Jamie Mathew Hodgetts, as well as their partners Erin Mary Hodgetts, Louise Beswick and Liv Catteral.
His joy continued with his great-grandchildren, Harvey Beswick, Jessica Louise Hodgetts, Isabella Jaime Hodgetts, Olivia-Mae Beswick and Penny Hodgetts, each one bringing him pride and laughter.
Bob was also deeply connected to his wider family, including his brother and sister-in-law, Derek and Dot. And he was surrounded by neighbours and friends who valued him dearly.
Bob’s life was shaped by hard work, loyalty, love and family. He lived through challenging times, embraced every chapter with determination, and built a life rich with connection. Those who knew him will remember not only the stories of his long life, but the warmth, kindness and steadiness he brought to every day.
Bob leaves behind a legacy held in the hearts of all who loved him and it is a legacy that will continue to live on through his family and the many lives he touched.
Reflection
Today the ceremony of Bob’s life will have affected you in different ways and you will all have your own special times and memories with him, so many happy memories have been made by each of you, the opportunity to spend a few minutes in quiet, private reflection, to recall your most precious memories of Bob.
During our time of reflection, we shall see a photo tribute with music for Bob created by his family.
Engelbert Humperdinck - Spanish Eyes and Photo Tribute
Poem to be read by Bobbie TBC
Soft as the voice of an angel, Breathing a lesson unheard, Hope with a gentle persuasion, Whispers her comforting word. Wait till the darkness is over, Wait till the tempest is done, Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, After the shower is gone. Then when the night is upon us, Why should the heart sink away? When the dark midnight is over, Watch for the breaking of day.
Tribute to Bob continued
Bob loved playing the keyboard, inspired by players like Reg Dickson, and especially enjoyed the classic Blackpool Tower organ style.
On one memorable occasion, he even stepped in at the wedding of Robert and Janet when the organist didn’t turn up. With only a couple of lessons behind him and no time to practise, he simply said, “Here I am, I’ll have a go,” and he did.
He enjoyed being part of Sandyford Cricket Club, serving on the committee and as treasurer, and was often seen working behind the bar.
Bob and Iris loved to dance, ballroom and modern sequence, dancing in many local halls including Chell Cricket Club, Tunstall Town Hall and of course their favourite, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Once retired, they rekindled their passion for ballroom dancing and continued well into their 80s, sharing many happy nights with friends.
Bob always looked forward to Saturday evenings and Strictly Come Dancing.
Bob enjoyed playing golf with his brother Derek at Goldenhill and Keele.
He liked spending time in his garden, especially growing flowers, his favourites were roses and his impressive, huge begonias. His garden was always colourful and full of beautiful bedding plants. He kept budgies and finches and loved walking his dogs, Micky, Jackie and Bess. Pets were always part of family life.
Whenever a new pet arrived, Iris would protest to Bob, “Take it back, I’ve got enough to look after!” but they always stayed and were always loved.
Although there was always a cat in the house, the family were surprised when, once the children were grown, Iris decided to adopt a puppy from a colleague.
Only Iris thought it was a good idea at first, no one else could understand why they suddenly needed a dog! But then Micky arrived, a scruffy little black terrier cross, and she quickly became Bob’s favourite. He was utterly besotted.
Micky had a wonderful, funny little character, she would run off to the local shop knowing she’d find dropped sweets there and she turned the whole family into dog lovers. But most of all, she could play hide and seek with Bob now the children were grown up! Over the years she was followed by Jackie, and then Bess, and each time Iris would say to Bob, “No more pets!” As the children grew up and left home, Bob and Iris had more time to enjoy their hobbies, holidays, and friends. They travelled widely, visiting America including the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Yellowstone as well as Italy (Sorrento), Spain, and Austria. In the UK they enjoyed holidays in Scotland and the Peak District, anywhere with a scenic view.
In the late 1970s, Bob and Iris moved from Sandyford to a bungalow in 28 Lynn Avenue, Talke and they soon became friends with their new neighbours, most of whom still live in Lynn Avenue. For more than 45 years, the neighbours have played an especially treasured part in his life, offering care, companionship and unwavering support. Bob’s family are especially grateful and appreciative of how these wonderful neighbours looked out for him as his dementia progressed. With their support and care Bob was able to live independently for a few more months and enjoy the summer and his garden before moving to Claybourne Care Home.
Bob had many long-lasting friendships and spent happy social times with Vic and Ivy at the Bears Head and the Legs of Man.
He liked a bit of football and worked on the turnstiles at both the Victoria Ground and Vale Park. He enjoyed watching Wimbledon, though he never quite got to grips with the scoring.
Bob was fond of westerns on TV, especially those with John Wayne or James Stuart. Alongside the organ music he loved to play, his musical tastes included Jim Reeves, James Last and André Rieu. Spanish Eyes was a favourite song he played often.
We shall now stand and listen to the music by Cat Stevens if you like to sing along the words are in your order of service
Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens
Morning has broken like the first morning Blackbird has spoken like the first bird Praise for the singing, praise for the morning Praise for them springing fresh from the world
Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven Like the first dewfall on the first grass Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden Sprung in completeness where His feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning Born of the one light, Eden saw play Praise with elation, praise every morning God's recreation of the new day
Morning has broken like the first morning Blackbird has spoken like the first bird Praise for the singing, praise for the morning Praise for them springing fresh from the world
Tributes from Bobs grandchildren TBC
Nigel
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a loving marriage or wonderful parents, but Dianne, Robert and Richard have had the best. Looking back, the years have been filled with love and laughter, and they have so many precious memories to cherish and to comfort them in the future.
Bob will be very much missed but remembered with smiles and hearts full of love.
Bob loved his dad jokes and had a warm, daft sense of humour. He was a great dad, loved by his family and adored by all his grandchildren. In the care home he was affectionately known as “Lovely Bob.”
Bob passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
Committal (Nigel)
Announcements
A heartfelt thank you from Dianne, Robert, Richard and all the family to the staff at Claybourne Care Home for the wonderful care given to Bob.
Any donations will be gratefully received for Alzheimer’s Research UK. The collection box is to my right as we leave.
Dianne, Robert, Richard and the family would also like to invite you all to join them at the Red Bull, Church Lawton, known locally as the Bottom Bull for refreshments and the opportunity to share memories of Bob following today’s ceremony.
We have celebrated Bob’s life. We have said our goodbyes. But we have our memories— and the rest of our lives to remember.
As we say our final farewell to Bob, we keep him close, held in the love and memories we carry in our hearts.
As we leave this place, we will be accompanied by a piece chosen by Bob’s family.
We wish you all a safe onward journey.