John Robertshaw 1932-2025
John Robertshaw, a Whinfell resident of 17 years, died recently on 3rd March in Broomcroft Nursing Home. John had been an active member of our community including serving as a director of the WCL and WACL companies. John was born on 1st. August 1932 in Didsbury and grew up in Hale, Cheshire. His father was the owner of a company which manufactured roller blinds. John went to Rugby School as a boarder and later to Queens College, Cambridge where he obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Until his death John remained a member of the Cambridge Society and was chairman of the Sheffield group for a while.
After his National Service in the Royal Engineers John came to Sheffield to work for Davy MCKee as a Graduate Apprentice in 1956 or 1957, later progressing to a position as Sales Engineer until his retirement in 1994. He was keen on learning languages and met his wife Barbara, who had come to Sheffield from Germany in1964, at a language school here. They married in 1966 and have three children, Nichola, Hazel and Anthony.
John and Barbara shared a very full social life, travelling extensively to Germany, South Africa, Mexico and South America as well as most of the European countries. They played active roles in the U3A where Barbara chaired the travel group and organised many trips for U3A. They were both involved with the National Trust, working with Clumber Park and acted as guides, particularly at Hardwick Hall where John was a volunteer guide for 26 years. This was especially interesting as John professed that he hated history at school. Apart from travel John’s interests included playing squash and golf.
The newly-married couple bought a house at Charnley Avenue, Carterknowle, where they lived until 1982 before moving to Silverdale Road. John became a parent governor at Silverdale School and at High Storrs. Barbara said that he “loved committees”.
In 2008 John and Barbara moved to Whinfell and immediately participated in social activities here. John became a director of the Board and served for a number of years. On his retirement as a director Barbara took over as a Board member and continues to serve as a representative of flat owners.
Over the past couple of years John’s health declined but he will be remembered by many Whinfell residents as a friendly and helpful person who gave a great deal back to the community and he will be sadly missed by us all.
Mike Cox
