Our thanks to Alan Drew
15th March 1951 – 1st April 2008
Many of you will have met Alan or read his name in our newsletters or on our web site. He has been an active member of the West Yorkshire Branch of the British Computer Society for more than ten years and will be sorely missed. Having said that, it is important to remember all the good that Alan has done and to be thankful for the time that we have known him.
Alan's love of computers started years ago at South Shields Grammar School. It must have been a very forward thinking school for it had its own computer – a Ferranti Pegasus – and this was in the 1960s! (It took up a whole classroom.) During his career as a computer professional he worked for various organisations, ending up at HBOS. Alan joined the BCS in 1987 and started coming to our branch meetings in October 1995. He joined the committee in May 1998 serving as Treasurer for two years, then as Vice Chair for one year before becoming Chairman for two years (2001/2 and 2002/3). He has also been our representative to Branches Board, CPD Officer, email officer and webmaster! During this time Alan has worked quietly, efficiently and with great good humour for the benefit of the Branch and its members. I am sure that his friendly smile and outgoing personality encouraged many people attending one of our meetings for the first time.
Alan also used his computing skills for the benefit of the local community – helping with the Ilkley Computer Club, working on websites for several local charitable organisations and lobbying for decent internet access in the area. He was a founder chairman of the Wharfedale Online Trust, a charitable trust which provides internet hosting for local groups, such as the Ilkley Parish Council and a community run online information service. His love of computing remained with him to the end, along with his community spirit.
Within the community Alan will also be remembered for his work on the "Save Us Pub" (SUP) campaign which was featured on television not that long ago. Alan's 57th birthday party was held at The Wheatley (the pub in question) this March as a private function, the pub being closed to the public. Alan and his wife Dorothea, daughter Vicki and son Phil welcomed family and friends from across the country.
Apart from computers Alan had several other passions, one being Sunderland Football Club. When organising our committee meetings or evening meetings their fixture list would be referred to. He also managed two boys' football teams and refereed locally.
Another theme that ran through Alan's life was music, from classical piano and Church organ music through that most unusual item - the barbershop octet - to pop music like "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin's music.
Alan was a person who cared – about his family, his community and people he knew and put his various talents to good use. He was a great person to work with – enthusiastic, thorough, conscientious and fun. On a personal note I owe my MBCS CITP in part to Alan who encouraged and cajoled me - typical of Alan. Ill health forced him to resign from the committee, last summer, but he had intended to stand again. Sadly this wasn't possible. His loyalty and commitment to the branch was further shown by his attendance at evening meetings during his illness.
The BCS in general and the West Yorkshire Branch in particular owe Alan a debt of gratitude for his dedication and work over the years and we thank him and remember him.
Alan Drew CEng FBCS CITP
Obituary written by Margaret Moore April 2008