Dear Barbara and all other Schriers
Bob Schrier was a lifelong friend and colleague of my father Professor Hugh de Wardener, widely known as “Prof”.
My sister Gabrielle talks nostalgically of the summer of 1975 which she spent with you all in Denver, her first trip to America and her first trip anywhere abroad by herself. It a was a huge change of gear to find herself in the middle of this large, quintessential all-American family, presided over by the tall square-jawed and larger than life figure of Bob and Barbara his charming, blonde, trim, stylish and beautifully turned out wife. It was different but my sister was quick to work out the customs and rhythms of the household and soon felt at home amongst the kind-hearted Schriers.
My brother Rudi also went to stay in Denver for some time when he was eighteen. He too was warmly welcomed into the family; he particularly remembers the fun of being driven all over the countryside by Barbara who showed him all the sights. Towards the end of Rudi’s stay in Denver our father, in England, had a major heart attack, he arrested and was resuscitated. Bob and Barbara had to break the news to Rudi and he has told me how outstandingly warm and compassionate Bob was, a quite different experience and such gentleness from such a huge man.
My brother Max never travelled to America to stay with Bob and Barbara and so his memories are of Bob in London. Max says that Bob was just so different from British people. He seemed in some way very exotic and Max felt that if this is what Americans are like then America must be a really great place.
And my father’s wife Jo who knew Bob and Barbara best of all. She talks of Bob’s loyalty and friendship over many years, what a really good friend he was to my father and how much they enjoyed each other’s company and erudition. Poppa could rely on Bob.
I’m Simon, Prof’s oldest child but I knew Bob and know Barbara least of all. To celebrate Prof’s 90th birthday and Jo’s 70th in 2005 we organised a surprise lunch for them in London. Bob and Barbara accepted immediately and came over especially for the event,that is the first time I remember meeting them properly. They were the life of the party.
The other time I met Bob and Barbara was at the time of my father’s Memorial Service in 2014. We were honoured that Bob agreed to speak at the service and again Bob and Barbara made a special trip to London. We had a family dinner the night the Schriers arrived from Denver and the Service was the following afternoon. Bob gave a witty, affectionate address, “A toast to Prof”. It was marvellous and hit just the right note.
And now it is time to say goodbye to Bob. It has been so enlightening talking to my siblings and to Jo, the overwhelming impression of Bob that I have received is of his larger than lifeness, his gentleness, his compassion and his gentleness; I wish I had known him better.
And so to you Barbara and Denise and to Douglas and David and Derek Schrier we send you lots of love, from Jo and Gabrielle, from Max and Rudi and from me
Simon de Wardener
5th June 2021
