Robert (Bob) Asquith
6 August 1942 – 16 August 2022
We are saddened to hear the death of Bob Asquith who died at home on Tuesday 16 August 2022, shortly after his 80th birthday. Bob originally joined the Club on 1 October 1957 at the age of 15 years and although he has not been actively involved in recent years, he has a long association with the Club.
In the 1960’s he was a prolific racer and one of the Club’s key athletes. His name appears on a number of the Club’s trophies including the prestigious Tinker Cup which he won in 1960, 65 and 66, the Past Members Cup for recording the fastest time at the Club 6 on six occasions in 1961, 63, 64, 66, 67 and 71. He also won the Major Sykes Challenge Cup for the best aggregate actual times in The Christmas Handicap, The Tinker Cup and The Six Miles Road Race in 1961, 65 and 66. Bob continued to be a very good athlete as a veteran (Over 40) and he continued running regularly into his late 70’s.
Bob actively encouraged a lot of younger members to participate in races and he was the prime mover and race organiser for the Holme Valley Junior Schools Cross Country League, affectionately known as the “Sands Races” between 1989 and 1999, which was the forerunner to the Neiley Races now held at the Club’s headquarters. Bob organised the “10 Step Award Scheme” during the years when the junior section was beginning to thrive, where youngsters became very competitive trying to improve their performances.
We extend our condolences to his wife Ann, sons, Richard, Steven, and family. His funeral is due to take place at Huddersfield Crematorium on Tuesday 20 September 2022 at 12.15pm.
