Memories of Roger Cooper

I met Roger and his friend in Santiago, Chile when we were all staying at the same hotel. We were all searching for the bar for a drink,😂😂😂, struck up a conversation and had a couple of drinks together. I had just finished hiking Torres del Paine in Patagonia and Roger was heading off for a cruise the next day with his friend. Roger and I got together for dinner that night and became WhatsApp friends until his passing, discussing travel, families, politics and life in general. My favorite “Roger story” (and the way everyone in my circle “knew Roger”) is the “novel” of information he provided me when he learned I was traveling to Turkey😊 That was my friend Roger in a nutshell: open, caring, sharing and one of the most lovely human beings I have ever met. You will be missed my friend and in my thoughts at each new travel destination. Love, Cindy

Shared by Cindy chapman

Rog and I have been friends since our teenage years when we met playing football for Holy Cross. Rog was a Centre Forward in the Gerd Muller mould - stocky, hard to mark and a great finisher; I was a Centre Back who modelled himself on the great Bobby Moore. Around that time (late 1960's) we both had boring jobs in Bristol , so we decided to pack them in - and travel. I had made various pen-friend contacts in Scandinavia so we offered to visit them! In those days, I was the more experienced traveller and it was Rog's first trip abroad. We went in my 1968 Mini 1000 and did over 4,000 miles with me driving and Rog as my navigator. Suffice to say that you dont travel that far in a Mini without getting to know one-another! We never got lost and developed one of the most important qualities in any friendship - that of TRUST. We never lost that feeling of trust for each other, so much so that I asked Rog to be Best Man at my marriage to Margaret and then many years later, made him an Honorary Scadding - a dubious honour, which Rog accepted!
We went our own career ways for a while but our friendship reignited when Rog moved back near Bristol.
I have lived in my beloved Chipping Sodbury for over 45 years and I know that Rog enjoyed his frequent visits here to meet up with Maggie and I - or 'M' and 'D' as he called us! We all know that Rog loved travelling but after our Scandinavia jaunt I got it out of my system as I was glad to get home whereas Rog got the bug - he wanted more and more of it. Our other main difference was that Rog was a Gashead and I am a -------- City fan! Still, I admired his loyalty to such a lost cause! Thankfully, we both supported Somerset County Cricket and had many happy days together at Taunton. We also shared interests in politics, current affairs, writing, Alfa Romeos and Rog was one of the few people I could talk to for hours without getting bored. I will miss him greatly but I am so grateful that I had such a wonderful friend for so long.

Shared by David Scadding

Roger was my client on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (HS1) project. He never treated me as a consultant but as an equal and from that, our friendship grew. He was great to work for and with - he knew how to bring out the best in people, never dumped on his team, always gave praise where praise was due and had amazing attention to detail. And he was always funny, with dubious remarks delivered with that characteristic Roger twinkle of the eyes. By the end of the project, I thought of him more as a friend than a colleague.

We lost contact but got back in touch about 18 months ago. I’m so glad that we did. It felt like the intervening 25 years or so had just disappeared. I was chuffed that he shared some early drafts of his novel with me. Chatting with Roger covered so many topics - families, travel, sport, being a football Dad, and more recently, the novel. Always two-way, always interesting and always lots of laughter.

He will leave such a hole in many lives; I’m so glad to have known him.

Shared by Jol Mitchell

I first met Roger in 1996 when I joined the Presidents Club at Bristol Rovers. We immediately became friends, and a few years later I became his accountant.
We later shared a box for several seasons in the West Stand, with his son Stephen forming a friendship with my son Luke.
Most months we would have breakfast together, always running out of time as our chats took us around the world, as well as chatting about sport and especially focusing on Bristol Rovers.
He was always professional in everything he did. From providing valuable consultancy services to the voluntary work he performed for many charitable events, you could always rely on Roger.
I will always remember he had the most beautiful handwriting.
We met up in 2016 in Hoi An in Central Vietnam and had the most wonderful two days together. He loved to travel, much further than most would venture, and always made friends along the way.
His knowledge of football and cricket was unmatched. I will be forever grateful that he was my friend, and I know one day I'll see him up the road.
The final whistle has been blown,
And the stadium lights glow dim,
Football was such a joyous time,
When standing next to him.
The Gas and football will play on,
This story has no end,
And there supporting from above,
Our much loved and loyal friend.
RIP Roger

Shared by Rob Keller

I first met Roger over 30 years ago when he was my manager on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link - my first ‘proper’ job. He was fair, kind, fun and always had his staff’s backs although we did often tease him about his grammatical corrections to our work - he even ended up with the nickname “Roger Red Pen”! I also worked with him on the Thameslink Project before heading off in a different direction.

Despite no longer working in the same field we kept in touch and updated each other on our families, work and travel adventures - of which Roger had many.

In March this year we met up in France to visit an old colleague for a few days and I will always be grateful to have been able to spend that time with them both making memories which will last for a long time.

I will miss Roger as a manager but more importantly as a friend.

Juliet xx

Shared by Juliet Stevenson

Lovely memories of spending a few days with Roger and some of his pals at the Test match in Galle. I worked for Just Retirement at the time who sponsored the series, so we were able to access the executive box.

We shared many post match Cobras and Curries and the memories of the trip will stay with me forever.

Sleep well Roger, you were a good friend and a lovely person.

Condolences to your family who I am sure will have plenty of happy memories to get them through such a sad time.

Best wishes

Steve

Shared by Steve Martell