Businessman with a love of golf dies at 81

Tributes have been paid to a “larger than life” St Andrews golfing legend, motor trade businessman and grandfather who died on the morning of his wife and childhood sweetheart’s funeral.

St Andrews Golf Club member and former Dunhill Links Championship chief marshal Forbes Stephen, 81, died at St Andrews Community Hospital on April 9.

He passed away just hours before the service to mark the passing of his wife Margaret, who died a fortnight earlier.

Born in Aberdeen on July 12 1942, Forbes grew up in Inverbervie.

In his youth, he was a talented footballer, a skilled tennis player and a good all-round athlete.

He was also a strong and accomplished swimmer. His prowess in the water was once captured by his local newspaper when he rescued a drowning man.

Forbes began his career as a trainee motor mechanic in Montrose.

At a dance in Stonehaven town hall he met the love of his life, Margaret.

Margaret was just 14 and Forbes was 15.

The couple dated for three years before they married on September 16 1961 at Inverbervie Parish Church.

Initially, they set up home in Montrose. They moved to Dundee when Forbes started working for Blue Star Garage, later moving to Kirriemuir.

At Blue Star Garage, Forbes started working on tools, moving into a management role.

He left to join the parts and distribution department at a car battery manufacturer. While there, he got the nickname Barney Rubble from the Flintstones.

Forbes was a larger than life character who was always up for fun and a laugh. His outgoing personality suited his management role when dealing with customers and staff alike.

He became incredibly well known and liked throughout the motor industry.

In March 1971, the family moved to Balmullo, where they raised their children Dawn and Hamish.

Forbes went on the road selling parts from a seven tonne truck and honing his sales skills.

After a couple of buyouts, as Forbes’ sales skills and knowledge grew, he decided to set up his own business.

Forbes and Margaret ran a separate taxi business to help finance it.

After a while, Forbes’ business was sold to Dingbro Ltd. However, Forbes continued working for 30 years, retiring aged 74.

Forbes loved “nonsense and a carry on” with his grandchildren.

In the late 1990s, after buying a static caravan near Crieff, they would spend most weekends there where they enjoyed hillwalking. They also created many memories there with their grandchildren.

Forbes is survived by his children Dawn and Hamish and grandchildren Christopher, Michael, Jamie and Sadie.

OBITUARY: Forbes Stephen was well known and liked throughout the motor industry.