The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Scottish Ambulance Service has lost ‘mentor’
Kenny Freeburn, Scottish Ambulance Service deputy director for the east, paid tribute to his former colleague.
He said: “Robert was passionate about his work with the Scottish Ambulance Service and genuinely cared for the people he looked after, and the colleagues he worked with.
“His professionalism and caring manner was appreciated by everyone who came into contact with him.
“Through his career he will have touched so many lives, dealing with happy situations such as helping new lives into the world, but also dealing with some very difficult and emotionally challenging times. He was always keen to share his vast knowledge and experience with colleagues, leading by example and acting as a mentor to many of his colleagues over the years.
“Being such a large part of the service in Arbroath, Tayside and far beyond, Robert will be greatly missed by us all at the Scottish Ambulance Service and I am sure there will be many people in the communities he has served so loyally for so long who will also reflect on the care and comfort he brought during their contact with Robert.”
Robert was a supporter of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (Chas) and said he would donate £1 million to the charity if he won the lottery.
His family are fundraising for Chas in his memory and have already raised more than £500.
Donations can be made at justgiving. com/fundraising/shazma32
Mary and her two daughters, Amanda and Sharon, cannot plan Robert’s funeral until the cause of death has been established, but it is expected that he will be given an ambulance service funeral. It is hoped there will be a guard of honour, dependent on coronavirus restrictions.
Mary said: “We won’t be able to have many people there but so many people have already been in touch.
“My house looks like a florist with all the flowers and cards, he was so well liked. His grandchildren just doted on him. The younger ones don’t really understand but the older ones are taking it really hard.”