RobMcG

[MikeParkin65]

I have seen the sad news on FaceBook that Robbie has passed away earlier today. He had a FB page for his model photo's  - 'BR Steam Photos' that he said he would be taking down a few weeks ago as he was no longer able to maintain it. Rob has of course been a regular (and sometimes controversial!) contributor to RMweb over the years. 

 

I was a big fan of Robbies work and felt he added something unique to this hobby.  I had some brief correspondence with him a few years ago when he asked if he could use one of my photos for his art. I felt honored to be asked and he created a lovely image from a camera phone shot I had of the then yet to be released Hornby Ivatt Duchess. 

 

RIP 

Edited July 26, 2022 by MikeParkin65
Typos

[Bucoops]

Oh goodness. Rob made the best of his lot in life and clearly enjoyed creating the images he produced.

 

Rest in peace Rob. 

[davidw]

How sad RIP

[toboldlygo]

Oh my god, rest in peace Rob

[ikks]

So sad to hear this. RIP Robbie

Mike

[PJT]

I've been in regular contact with Robbie for some years, often with helping to ship locos - or finding and shipping repair parts for locos - out to him in New Zealand, plus discussing locos, motorcycles, cars, photography and politics and exchanging anecdotes about our lives.  Though I never met him, he's been a great pal through those years.  His impetuous and enthusiastic nature always tended towards getting him into trouble, on here and elsewhere, but while he was too quick off the mark for his own good sometimes he was no fool and was very well read, especially on the subjects of New Zealand and UK steam locos (his undoubted favourites being the Britannias) and mathematics.  He was very proud of and interested in his UK ancestry - his mother came originally from Guildford.

 

I always regarded his manipulated images as two dimensional model making; making models 'virtually' on screen.  Because of his paraplegia caused by a motorcycle accident in the mid-70s and the almost complete loss of use of one hand after surgery in the mid-80s (and latterly a cataract, on top of everything else), he would obviously have struggled too much with the fiddly bits of three dimensional modelling.  That said, he was very skilled as a photographer and, despite his shortcomings, still very accomplished as a car engine rebuilder and car mechanic, especially with Jaguars and Minis.  I wish I could post some photos here of Robbie with his Series 1 XJ6, his Jaguar MkI or his Mini - or a photo of him working on a Jaguar engine on an engine stand - but they all got lost in the RMweb outage - regrettably I didn't take copies of them.  His regular transport was a V8 Holden that he'd adapted with hand controls.  He was fiercely independently-minded and was wonderfully supported in his determination - and frequently argued with! - by his lovely partner and companion in life, Jan.  She's been a real brick.

 

I don't do Facebook, so @MikeParkin65's post here (thank you, Mike) after he found out from Robbie's niece via Facebook is the first I've heard, though I've been waiting for the inevitable news since the start of July, when he came home from hospital after having less than successful treatment for an issue that just wouldn't sort itself out.

 

As I said in an email to Robbie after he came home from hospital, "Often I've found myself replying to your emails right at the end of my day, because of the time difference between us, yet it's never once felt like a drag or a waste of time to do so.  Thanks, Robbie. It's been great fun."  

 

Pete T.

 

 

     

Edited July 27, 2022 by PJT
Correction: added Robbie's niece

[Black 5 Bear]

Rest in peace Robbie you will be missed buddy!

[landscapes]

4 hours ago, MikeParkin65 said:

I have seen the sad news on FaceBook that Robbie has passed away earlier today. He had a FB page for his model photo's  - 'BR Steam Photos' that he said he would be taking down a few weeks ago as he was no longer able to maintain it. Rob has of course been a regular (and sometimes controversial!) contributor to RMweb over the years. 

 

I was a big fan of Robbies work and felt he added something unique to this hobby.  I had some brief correspondence with him a few years ago when he asked if he could use one of my photos for his art. I felt honored to be asked and he created a lovely image from a camera phone shot I had of the then yet to be released Hornby Ivatt Duchess. 

 

RIP 

Hi

Thank you for letting us know the very sad news of Robbie passing away.

 

I will miss my discussions with him on my Haymarket thread and his wonderful photos he produced.

 

I never did find out how he produced such great images and sadly now I never will.

 

Rest in peace Robbie and thank you for all those Fabulous images you produced for us to enjoy.

 

Regards

 

David

[Blandford1969]

So sad to hear, his photo works were a work of art and always enhanced any model. 

[Chamby]

I didn’t know Rob personally, but always appreciated his contributions on this forum.  

 

My condolences to his family.

[Northmoor]

Very sad; unable to model in 3D he modelled "virtually" to a superb standard.  I think many of us will miss seeing his posts.

RIP Robbie.

[BrushVeteran]

A very talented man he helped bring models to life! RIP !

[HExpressD]

I can't say I've been around here long but Rob's edits always caught my eye when browsing through the pages on here, and indeed if ever I say them on Facebook. Obviously a talented guy and someone out hobby with surely miss. RIP

[john new]

One of the best image workers I've seen with use of Photoshop, an inspirational legacy left to us that should inspire more of us to do more with digital technology.

[Rowsley17D]

I always enjoyed looking at Robbie's photo work which will be sadly missed. Perhaps he was was pioneer of "when the model looks like the real thing."

 

Rest in peace and rise in glory.

[Brit70053]

Sad to read of Rob's passing and I offer my condolences to his family and friends. RIP Rob.

[Ian Hargrave]

I’ll add my own regrets to this. Frequent agreements matched by the odd disagreement over a decade. A character who will be very sorely missed by many in this community. Good night Robbie.

[MJI]

RIP Very sad news, he will be missed

[Not Jeremy]

Farewell Robbie, a character indeed. From my own limited contact and knowledge he lived his life with energy and to the full.

 

I quite liked his pictures too!

 

RIP

[Colin_McLeod]

RIP Robbie.  This is indeed sad news. I will miss his posts and am thankful for them.    I have saved many of them to my phone while they are still available.

 

Condolences to his family.

[Corbs]

Gosh that's incredibly sad to hear. I too am a big fan of Rob's photoshop work and was surprised to read about his FB page. He shall be very much missed.

[Captain Kernow]

What sad news. My condolences to his family and friends and may he Rest in Peace.

 

[Philou]

Oh dear, that is sad news as bizarrely I was only thinking about him yesterday as I hadn't seen any pictures of his recently.

 

Condolences to his partner and family.

[John Tomlinson]

Like many I never met him, but enjoyed his photographs and had some pleasant and civilised exchanges on here. He was obviously a very determined and courageous man, to find a new way to carry on his modelling interest whereas I suspect for many his problems would have put paid to everything.

 

I will miss his posts, both the photos and his generally charming manner.

 

John.

[toboldlygo]

This was taken from Rob's FB page (BR Steam Photo's) this morning:

Message from Robbie's family: We are sad to report that Robbie passed away on 26 July, peacefully at his home. We are very proud of his amazing artwork here, a great legacy. Remembered with love, rest in peace Robbie.

 

It came as total shock to me, as I encouraged him to create a FB page, as he was frustrated with the Moderators and Andy Y and had placed him on Moderated status - for his own thread (Hornby's Best Ever Models) and he want to show his work off.

 

His tips on photography were fantastic and his exchanges with me were always interesting, funny and heart-warming over the years. Sadly Rob's Talents will be missed.