The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Loved and respected’: Intimate funeral held for popular councillor
TRIBUTES: Admiration shown for highly regarded SNP man Bob Band who lost his battle with cancer
A small, intimate funeral for a popular Perth city councillor has been held as tributes poured in from friends and colleagues.
Former deputy provost Bob Band was laid to rest on Thursday at a small family gathering due to current restrictions, with a larger memorial planned for a later date.
The SNP councillor died on March 25 after being diagnosed in late 2018 with inoperable stomach cancer which had spread to his lungs and liver.
Despite his health battles, the representative for the Perth City South ward continued to serve his community at council chambers to which he was first elected in 2007.
Friends and colleagues from parties on all sides paid tribute to the former Perth High and Perth College student who spent his whole life living in the area.
Former Perth and Kinross Council provost Dr John Hulbert remembered the councillor as “loved and respected”.
Dr Hulbert said: “He had a deep affection for and an encyclopaedic knowledge of his home city of Perth.
“This was of great value to me as a provost who hailed from a rural part of the council area, because I could always depend on Bob to provide me with an insider’s assessment of any situation affecting the city of Perth in particular, and bring to my attention any unexpected difficulties that might arise.
“He was a big, broad man, always with a smile on his face and kind words on his lips, and never with malice in his heart.
“He loved the people of Perth and his colleagues on the council, and in return was loved and respected by them.”
SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham said the councillor will be “mourned by all who knew him”.
Ms Cunningham said: “Hard working and caring, Bob’s commitment to his family, his ward and his country was unwavering.
“His wise counsel and level-headed thinking were always gratefully received and will be sorely missed.”
Conservative council leader Murray Lyle said: “Bob was both a colleague and a friend, well-known for his humour and generosity.
“He was a valued member of the council and will be much missed.”
Local authority chief executive Karen Reid said: “Councillor Band was a highly respected member who undertook his role with the utmost integrity.
“He demonstrated his commitment and dedication to improving the lives of many in his ward area and through the committees on which he served.”
“He had a deep affection for and... knowledge of his home city of Perth. EX-PROVOST DR JOHN HULBERT