Tribute to kirk’s ‘ideas’ man, Bob
True gent never without a smile
A church elder who was instrumental in planning Blantyre Old Parish Church’s 450th year celebrations has passed away.
Robert Buchanan Freer (known as Bob) died suddenly on Tuesday, July 18, in Hairmyres Hospital aged 70.
A retired newspaper circulation representative with the Glasgow Herald and Evening Times, he met his wife Kathyrn through family and the pair were wed on August 14, 1971, welcoming daughter Elizabeth in March 1979.
Originally from the Gorbals, Glasgow, the family moved to Priory Bridge, Blantyre, in 1972, before then setting up home in High Blantyre in 1982.
However, soon after his wedding Robert was dealt a devastating blow when he was diagnosed with the long-term chronic condition Ankylosing Spondylitis causing inflammation, stiffness and pain in the joints. And in 1988 he was told he would start to lose his sight - an effect of the condition, and in October 1996, Robert was officially registered blind.
Through all his struggle with his health conditions this did not hold him back and he accepted the changes and used his love of technology to help assist him in his daily life. Robert also enjoyed listening to his talking books, newspapers and his favourite the Railway Magazine, to indulge in his love of trains.
Having also joined Blantyre Old Parish Church upon moving to the town, he became a church elder in December 1976, and then a senior elder, serving 40 years, as well as relishing his role as a Sunday School teacher, moving on to become the Sunday School Superintendant from 1985 to 1994.
His acceptance of his condition undoubtedly paved the way for many other partially sighted and blind people to help them with their daily tasks and lives. And he was the first to have the hymns emailed to him on a weekly basis to enable him to use his Ipad in church so he could join in with the singing.
His proud daughter Elizabeth told the Advertiser this week: “Dad’s sight loss did not halter him in any way. He loved going to the cinema and enjoyed TV, thanks to Audio Description, and was a very content man.
“Blantyre Old Parish Church has always been his passion and as an “ideas man” he always had something up his sleeve. He relaunched the Sunday School in January 1991 with guest of honour Mark Mcmanus from Taggart and with a balloon race.
“And this year he wanted to celebrate the church’s 450th Anniversary with events happening throughout the year. His inspiration came from his friend and fellow church member and elder, Charlie Nelson, who sadly passed away in 2014. He felt it was important to raise awareness and celebrate the anniversary and persuaded Rev Sarah Ross to invite BBC presenter Jonathan Dimbleby to bring the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Any Questions?’ to broadcast live from Blantyre Old back in April.
“His ambition was also to invite the Queen to join us for our August celebrations and I think the 450th committee thought he was joking, but he was serious!
“He was also a volunteer at the charity Visibility and worked at the Eye Information Help Desk. He supported people at Hairmyres and Gartnavel Hospitals who were just diagnosed or suffering from various eye diseases. He gave them valuable information and reassurance including financial advice.
“Dad was a well loved and respected man and will be very much missed by his family, church family and friends. He was as a true Christian gentleman with a generous heart, a sharp sense of humour and was never without a smile.”