A HUSBAND and wife who had a long association with a Hereford school have died. 

Richard (Dick) Rhodes, who died on January 21, held numerous positions at Hereford Cathedral School (HCS) during his 34-year tenure from 1966 to 2000. 

This included being Head of Classics and housemaster of the Old Deanery. 

He was also a founding trustee of the Old Herefordians Zimmerman Trust, a role he executed for over 40 years, as well as serving as a Common Room liaison governor. 

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"Dick was a cultured man of wide enthusiasms, 'a wonderfully eccentric polymath' as an OH once wrote," said Howard Tomlinson, HCS headmaster from 1987 to 2005.

"And to me, he was a wonderfully supportive colleague and latterly a close friend. We shared many interests together and strong Yorkshire bonds, and I will miss him dearly."

Meanwhile, Mr Rhodes' wife, Anne, who died just five days later, was a former teacher at The Prep School and Hereford Cathedral Junior School (HCJS). 

"Anne retired from HCJS in 2007 and is fondly remembered by all those who were fortunate enough to know her," said Tim Lowe, Bob Hall and James Debenham on the Old Herefordians Facebook page.

"She was a kind, loyal and compassionate member of staff, whose long association with HCS, alongside Dick’s, stretched back to 1966 as teacher, parent, houseparent, musical support, supply teacher and champion of the school.

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"She will be greatly missed by generations of pupils, as well as parents and colleagues."

On behalf of the family, Liz Wells, Mr and Mrs Rhodes' daughter, said: 

"Anne and Richard were people who took a genuine delight and interest in all those around them whether that be their family, friends, ex-pupils or those they came across in their everyday life.

"They were highly sociable and loved nothing more than throwing parties, going out for pub lunches, afternoon teas or just gatherings at home. 

"They were supportive and loving parents and fun, hands-on and slightly eccentric and zany grandparents who enjoyed reading and writing stories and poetry, playing music and spending time with their family.

"Anne and Richard will be missed terribly but there are an endless wealth of happy memories to sustain us over the years to come."

A celebration of Mr and Mrs Rhodes' lives will be held in the Lady Chapel at Hereford Cathedral at 12.30pm on Tuesday (February 13). Black dress is optional with family flowers only.

Enquiries can be directed to Bayley Brothers on 01432 817607.