In Memory of Reg Vernon - 1934 to 2005
He will be sadly missed by his Family of Friends
Reg Vernon
Reg Vernon was born on 11 August
1934 in Liverpool though spent most of his time living further south. He was the
most terrific, vibrant individual that you could possibly meet and lived a life
that was jam-packed to the full. He was an active walker, climber, and
mountaineer to the end, and loved the freedom of lightweight camping in the
mountains. He took up skiing in his 50’s and refused to let age be a barrier
to anything as he discussed the possibilities of starting weight training and
surfing in his 70th year! He was a committed Christian, an active
member of his local community in Kingston through his work and mentoring to
disadvantaged kids on local estates and a loving husband, father and
grandfather.
He was a friend to all – young
and old and his premature death left a great void in the world. He had so much
left to give and his death was just too sudden and too unfair.
Reg Vernon died
on Feb 5th 2005 from
multiple injuries sustained in a long fall on Great Gable whilst out walking
with friends from Surbiton and Kingston Mountaineering Club, a part of his life
for 25 years. His family and friends are indebted to the Wasdale Mountain Rescue
Team who were part of the attempt to save his life, but sadly nothing could be
done.
However sometime before that fatal winter weekend Reg
discussed, with June, the possibility of where he would like his ashes scattered
if he should die. Typically, Reg decided that he wanted his ashes scattered on
all 57 Lakeland peaks above 2,500 feet – the remarkable, strenuous and lengthy
mountaineering circuit he completed in a period of just 10 days in 2004.
This was a bit of a challenge but was repeated by a
large team of climbing friends and family on the weekend of 11/12 June 2005 –
a final visit to the Lake District mountains Reg loved and was a part of for so
many years.
Now every
summit will always hold happy memories of Reg for us.
“What
we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of
life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to
enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for.”
George
Leigh Mallory, 1922.
Reg, you certainly enjoyed life. We’ll all look
back on your life with joy.
Rosi Yule
January 2006
In
loving memory of Reginald Vernon known as Reg. 1934 -2005
Reg was
one of six children and he was born August 11 1934 in the Liverpool village of
West Derby, where he had a very happy childhood.
He attended the local school and went on to study Design engineering
after completing his national service in Accaba, Jordan. Reg
moved to Richmond, Surrey at 22 and the following year was in a serious car
accident. He
refused to allow doctors to amputate his foot, an operation that would certainly
put an end to his climbing adventures.
He
married in 1960 to Rispah and had three children Amanda, David and Lewis.
Unfortunately they separated after 13 years, Amanda and David continued
to live with him. In
his working life Reg was a Production Manager of a printing press.
He later became Assistant manager at Kingston’s Murray House day centre
for the elderly. Where
he met his second wife June in 1988.
Inheriting 3 step-children Nick, Claire and Simon, He was also a devoted
grandfather to his 11 grandchildren.
Reg
started climbing at the age of 15 a passion he continued throughout his life.
He began with the peaks of North Wales and the Lake District, but went on
to conquer mountains such as Mount Blanc, The Matterhorn and the Nanada Devi
Sanctuary in the Himalayas.
He was a member of the Surbiton & Kingston Mountaineering club and an
inspiration to young climbers.
He is described as someone who got on with people of all ages and gave
everything a go with great enthusiasm.
Reg
learnt to ski at the age of 52, he then climbed the 57 peaks over 2,500 feet in
the Lake District in 10 days at the age of 68 to raise money for his Grand
Children’s school Coombe Hill.
Reg was not merely a man of the mountains, he also played an active role
in the community. Being a part time youth worker for Kingsnympton Park Youth
Club. His work
hailed as tireless and turning around the lives of young people including
helping to set up a summer scheme with the Metropolitan Police, running annual
month-long programmes for the local children and teenagers.
Very
sadly Reg died whilst walking with friends from the Mountaineering Club on Great
Gable near Wasdale Head on Saturday 5th February 2005 at the age of
70. He fell
300ft while traversing a scree slope.
He survived the fall but died in the arms of his friend and fellow
climber Charles Leek., after a long hard effort to keep Reg alive.
The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team responded quickly but could not
resuscitate him.
His
wish was to die in the mountains doing something he was passionate about, but it
was too soon for his family and friend who miss him deeply.
The Mountaineering club and his family spread his ashes from the 57 peaks
in the Lake District he had climbed 2 years before.
Ullswater Lake with Glenriding in the valley bottom (23 July 2005)
If you would like to include a tribute to someone who loved the Lake District Fells please contact me at rawarren@freenetname.co.uk
page created 30/01/06