Rob Bartley
‘Such an incredible man’
Rob Bartley put his family first, the community next and business after that – and he was a major influence in each of those spheres.
Bartley, who has died aged 69, was a humble and understated man, friend Jim Bibby said, but he meant a lot to other people.
This showed in the respect paid by employees when his hearse was driven past the many businesses he owned, and in a funeral of about 1500 people that occupied two rooms at the Whanganui racecourse.
He was a private person, and never wanted his name splashed around. But his family businesses employ an estimated 120 people.
When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer four years ago, he asked: “How am I going to look after my staff and their families?”
After his funeral, former Whanganui mayor Annette Main heard many people say they didn’t know about the depth of his business involvements, his mentoring or his personal financial support of others taking on new challenges and opportunities.
“That this only became so widely known this week is testament to the man he was,” she said.
Rob sponsored sport and served on sporting and business boards.
In 2020 he extended his interests to health and started a foundation to improve region healthcare.
He was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal in 2019, for services to the community.
His work ethic didn’t stop him having fun. His children remember big parties, camping trips, practical jokes, family visits to Disneyland and the welcome their friends got whenever they visited.
One party was the Big B Party, with Bartley’s Balloons and
Blossoms. On his 40th birthday he was woken by a brass band and festivities that lasted for three days.
Rob was a very generous, principled and humble man, and the foundation he started will make sure that continues, Whanganui District Health Board chief executive Russell Simpson said.
“He was the most amazing man and I think our community probably didn’t appreciate the amount of giving that he did because he was so humble and he didn’t want to be recognised.”
A friend who did not want to be named said Rob was the ultimate carer and giver.
“I am utterly amazed at his capacity for truly living, loving, engaging, sharing and giving throughout his entire life with almost no let-up, even when he was fighting for his own life.”
Robert William Bartley was born in Lower Hutt, to Ena and Bill Bartley.
He grew up in Rata St, Gonville. He went to Gonville, Rutherford and Wanganui Boys’ schools, and was fond of sport and cars.
After leaving school he worked at Imlay, while saving to join the police.
A knee injury prevented that. Instead, at the age of 19, he used his car as security to buy what became the Alma Road Service Station.
He met his future wife, Ann Pudsey about the same time. He was working 15 hours a day and seven days a week, and she had to go to the service station after 9.30pm to spend time with him.
The two married in 1972 and they had four children, Angela, John, Brendon and Sarah.
Rob worked for Coleman’s Suzuki, then bought the Avenue Service Centre, which became a favourite of car owners. He went into auto parts, then bought an icecream parlour, a restaurant and a business that sold Sunday bread.
When he bought Ali Arc it had just three staff. He joined it with another sheet metal business and it grew.
Its products caught the attention of a Canadian at a truck show, which led to an Ali Arc offshoot that employs 50 people and makes bull bars in Canada.
Rob’s Ali Arc Logistics business was the spearhead for the inland port established in Castlecliff. Its previously disused railway line now has several trains a day. Rob and others also established Intranz, to prepare young people for jobs, and he shared “lean manufacturing” ideas with Heads Rd businesses.
It’s mainly down to Rob that Whanganui Hospital will have a chemotherapy centre later this year, DHB chief executive Russell Simpson says.
“He championed the cause, and worked with me to put a business case to the Ministry of Health.”
The case got funding of $800,000. A turning of the sod is expected midyear, with building to start after that.
Many more businesses have followed. Rob chose ones that had good people and prospects, and he improved them. He always looked to keep them here in Whanganui.
In later life he got interested in breeding and racing horses, and would still race his Custaxie car.
By the time he was diagnosed with cancer he, his wife and children owned at least 12 businesses, in areas as diverse as real estate, money lending, IT help and the Mellonsfolly ranch near Raetihi.
Rob has been careful to protect them and keep them in family ownership into the future.
He started the Bartley Group. Its managing director is Brendon Bartley, who has the help of an independent advisory board.
Rob is survived by his wife, children and eight grandchildren.
● Wellwishers are invited to donate to his health bus initiative at bartleyfoundation.org.
"He was the most amazing man and I think our community probably didn’t appreciate the amount of giving that he did."
Russell Simpson