Tributes to BGH
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Bruce Hamilton (22nd October 1932 - 8th May 2020).With sadness we learnt on Friday 8th May of the passing of Bruce Hamilton. Bruce had been unwell and in care for some time. The news although not entirely unexpected is nevertheless very sad. BGH was an extraordinary presence in Rathkeale's history, a magnificent teacher, a fine sportsman, an accomplished author and the sharpest of minds. He is the current Patron of the Old Boys' Cricket Club. At an appropriate time in the not too distance future there will be a memorial service to acknowledge Bruce's life in relation to Rathkeale College. More information will follow about this important occasion once Rathkeale returns to normal operations. We would gratefully receive your sentiments for, tributes to and memories of BGH. Please email them to oldboys@rathkealeoldboys.org.nz . Please see the Rathkeale Old Boys Facebook posts for further tributes to BGH. Image: Bruce Hamilton in January 2011 attending the reopening of Cranleigh House following refurbishments. |
A collection of the sentiments received by email to date:
"BGH was an extraordinary presence in Rathkeale's history, a magnificent teacher, a fine sportsman, an accomplished author and the sharpest of minds. He is the current Patron of the Old Boys' Cricket Club." Grant Harper (1967 - 1971) (Teaching Staff 1975 - present).
"Bruce was the consistent rock or lodestone of Rathkeale's success and we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his outstanding teaching, his high standards, his loyalty, his consistency of discipline and almost above all, his huge passion for Rathkeale. Hopefully, the lockdown will end soon, and we will all be able to give Bruce the statesmanlike send-off he deserves." John Taylor (Headmaster 1979 - 1987).
"He had the greatest influence on me in my teaching career: my Head of History, my bridge partner, my weekly squash adversary, my 1st XV manager to the Top 4 in 1982 and a team supporter to the UK in 1989-90; a supporter in all that I achieved. So wise; a confidante and a friend: a sharp mind and an acerbic wit; never one to be crossed. Loyal to his Headmaster and a servant of the highest order to Rathkeale. He could have been a Principal in any school in New Zealand, but he chose the teaching path." Mike Fisher (Teaching Staff 1974 - 1993).
"Many memories in various aspects of school life, but most of all as an educator. He was the reason I became a teacher! Unquestionably a massive contribution to the Rathkeale community in the early years." Shay O'Gorman (1988 - 1992) (Teaching Staff 2007 - present).
"What a humble person. A great example to us all." Deon Van Deventer (Teaching Staff 2000 - present).
"Such an icon and statesmen of Rathkeale and one of those who will be remembered with great respect by anyone who attended the college during his years there. Bruce helped craft Rathkeale into the great college it is today." David Aitken (1979 - 1983).
"He had a presence which was inversely proportional to his physical stature. On the first occasion I met him and every time since his intelligence, recollection of Rathkeale people and events and his desire to see the school do well was clearly evident. It is easy to see why so many former staff and students held him in such high regard." Willy Kersten (Principal 2008 - 2018).
"There will only be one BGH and someone all of us have huge admiration and respect for." Mike Caulton (1973 - 1977).
"Back in 1964, we were privileged to know Bruce during the pioneering start-up era of the college. Our group has so many memories. For example, the first Revue, "written, produced and plagiarised by Bruce Hamilton" (as it said on the programme-cover), was a highlight - every boy took part in a musical synopsis woven around Rathkeale life and based on the music of Gilbert & Sullivan. We also have our own [in some people's cases, painful] memories of his nocturnal impeccably-timed 'Pincer Movement' raid, the Great Room1-Chalk-Throwing Judicial Enquiry (which also concluded painfully for some), the background to the founding of SPORCH, and of course the meticulous establishment of the Library. Sport. Drama. Even his green VW. And many many other things. Subsequent-years old boys I'm sure will have their own particular cherished memories also." Chris Gane (1964 - 1968).
"Just one of the best. Everything he taught, he made interesting. Left me with a lifelong passion for English literature. We had a number of great teachers, but he was the best. Thanks for everything. I will be thinking of you." John Gray (1967 - 1971).
"Always had a lot of respect for 'Badger', he and JKN set the tenor for the school in its early phases. All the better for having known him." Roger Barton (1971 - 1975).
"Oh what an amazing teacher. Bruce brought history alive. His story telling, and knowledge of the characters was so rich. I could close my eyes in class and imagine FDR was in our room selling his new deal or Churchill beseeching his nation to rise. Bruce crossed effortlessly between teacher and storyteller. Bruce's stature continued to rise in my mind as I gained enough maturity to reflect on his incredible skills and passion. A brilliant man who enriched my mind and my whole life. Thank you." Andrew Freeman (1986 - 1990).
"The following is a small tribute to Bruce Hamilton (Badger) who played an important part in moulding me into the man I am today. Badger was a fair but firm man. He engendered great respect. I recall him as my Cranleigh House Master. We were play fighting (as we did) and I ended up being pushed against the dormitory window. Mr Hamilton heard the shattering glass and stormed in to see what the commotion was. "What happened here?" he demanded. "Just mucking around Sir" "Into my office" he retorted - where we each got 'four of the best'. Despite the well engraved welts, we respected the decision and never rumbled again!! Rest in Peace." Neil McWhannell (1972 - 1975).
"I have two vivid memories of Bruce. The first, the huge respect which my grandfather Don Brehaut held for him. I know he was one of Don's closest colleagues from his time at Rathkeale. The second is, as a Fifth Former, sitting in the Library and having Bruce teach us how to write. How to organise our ideas, develop an argument, summarise a complex thought. Of the many lessons of Rathkeale, for me that is the one which has had the greatest impact on my career, and I shall always be grateful to BGH for it." Mark Ramsden (1982 - 1985).
"Recollections of Mr Bruce Hamilton, Teacher of History. Girls in a boys' school, we were really out of place - but not in Mr Hamilton's classroom. He took us seriously. I will never forget his dramatic performances of Rasputin while teaching the Russian revolution nor the time we returned to the St. Matthew's boarding house after watching Nicholas & Alexandra at his home; when he eyed our 'jailer', the house matron appearing with her large ring of keys, and made a rather arid quip. We had so much fun! He introduced us to Elizabeth 1 and lent me an actual scholarly biography. Mr Hamilton was immensely proud of co-education, priming us well for the visit of his identical twin brother from Christ's College, who had no idea that girls could speak, let alone think. I am indebted to him for teaching me to write well, think critically, and appreciate history, which has become my life's work. He was quite simply the best teacher. Jacqui True (1986 - 1987).
"Such sad news - he was a great guy, firm but fair and very knowledgeable!! RIP BGH!!" Richard Johnston (1980 - 1984).
"When I published one of my books in 2012, I dedicated it to him: To Bruce Hamilton who first challenged me to read, appreciate and think. When I gave him a copy, he was, of course, suitably amusingly self-deprecating. I titled that book, Slouching Towards Bethlehem: The Rise of the Antichrists, based on W.B. Yeats's famous sonnet, The Second Coming, which we studied in Bruce's English class. He was so enthusiastic that we all should not only learn but also love reading, appreciating, and thinking. It was from Bruce that I first heard the fabulous poems of George Herbert and John Donne which, as an atheist, I didn't fully appreciate then but when, like Herbert and Donne, I too met the Lord, it all made wonderful sense and perfectly expressed my new feelings. It was at Bruce's insistence and urging that we read William Golding's Lord of the Flies, George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984, and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, books which engaged this young idiot's mind and sparked my imagination about what goes wrong in this world and our possible futures. Fifty years later, I am deeply grateful for all he did for me. He not only improved my posture through his SPORCH, the Society for the Prevention of Rathkeale College Hunchbacks, but also inspired a free-wheeling theology class forty years later. I was a Baptist minister at Hillside Community Church in St Johns/Glen Innes, Auckland, between 2004 and 2011 and, finding so many with so many questions, I set up SPHNKS, the Society for the Prevention of Hillsiders Not Knowing Stuff. It was the best couple of hours of the week for many of us. All I can say is, thank you, Bruce Hamilton and I hope I can be at any service held to celebrate and commemorate your life and passing." Graeme Carle (1964 - 1967).
"I remember our 30 year anniversary, held at the college in 1997, during which we had a day boys vs boarders debate, in which I said, talking about John Norman, how he must have been a 'board's nightmare' - spending $ on concrete metal etc, and letting the board worry about where the $ were coming from!, and that BGH & Faye kept things more level-headed! - Bruce came up to me afterwards, and said I had no idea how accurate that was!" George Pottinger (1967 - 1971).
"A huge Positive influence on me, right from School days until Now. I can still see the positive smiles and encouragements and a hard-driven understanding of language and punctuation beyond compare. When I sat and passed University Entrance the rhetoric changed from not a hope in Hell (Expressed a little more Politely) to I knew you could, and probably did to. So many years under the bridge yet his influence is still strongly apparent and the vision of him are still strong. Rest In Peace Badger and Thank You for Everything." Peter Lenz (1965 - 1969).
"I am sure I'm not the only one who remembers Scratch's fearsome caning reputation, of clearing the desks for the full length of the classroom for a sufficient run up. Though never subject to one myself (well not at BGH's hand anyway) I did join others waiting outside for the wrong doer's exit with their buttocks in hand. He's a teacher forever etched on my psyche with respect, purposeful stride, and a flowing black gown - he will be missed." Adam Farmer (1983 - 1985).
"You were a lucky student to be taught by him... A gifted teacher who pushed until he got what he wanted... thanks Bruce." Stewart Cameron (1973 - 1977).
"Urgent whispers of "here comes Badger," followed by quick retreats as boys dive for their desks. Enters BGH, to an excessively quiet classroom, not at all fooled by the angels sitting before him. Fear oozing from strained, unconcerned faces, not. 1968 to 1971 were also a good learning vintages for me, I survived, I remembered, I respected and am convinced a better person because of it. A better teaching environment today would have carbon copies of BGH to roll out at every necessary moment. Thank you Sir." Stephen Arcus (1968 - 1971).
"I am greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Bruce Hamilton. Bruce, fondly known as The Badger, was the perfect complement to Headmaster John Norman whilst establishing Rathkeale to become an iconic learning, cultural and sporting environment. He contributed across all aspects of school life and will be warmly remembered by those who were fortunate to attend Rathkeale during that pioneering period. Bruce was a fine sportsperson, especially as a cricketer and it is in this regard that I wish to pay him a special tribute. As a coach and a mentor, he developed a group of boys at a small college into an accomplished Cricket X1 which, having earlier moved through the grades of local cricket, were promoted to the senior competition in 1969. No one was more proud than Bruce, who played in the X1 that season, providing guidance and strategy to the leadership group. So, Bruce, sadly your final innings has come to an end - RIP." Michael Friend (1966 - 1970).
"There's only ever one or maybe two teachers in your entire schooling life that stretch beyond the syllabuses to a place of forever learning. That was Mr Hamilton. He was quick witted, smart, funny, and immensely helpful even with his head down at the desk, he was always listening. Never was there such a teacher who could hold a class's attention, himself seated firmly at his desk, relating the colourful stories of history entirely from memory. I have always credited him with teaching me the skills to write balanced and opined essays and 'persuading' me to read King James 1 biography! My deepest condolences to his family, he was the most wonderful mentor and educator." Deanna True (1988 - 1989).
"BGH was a legend of Rathkeale and for a small man in statue held huge mana. His last year was my last year and I will always remember him for quietly coaching me about leadership. He had amazing empathy and made sure we understood the values of life, and that nothing was impossible for mortal man. He epitomised Rathkeale; we were small and often overachieved by beating schools 2-3x our roll. BGH was the ultimate history teacher making it real with his high intelligence quotient but it was his emotional intelligence that I shall always value and respect." Hamish Edge (1987 - 1991).
Further RIP Messages; Malcolm Tweed (1972 - 1976). Stuart Shelly (1973 - 1977). John Blatchford (1965 - 1968). Grant Prankerd (1974 - 1977).
Rathkeale Old Boys' Association Committee.
Pride In Belonging.