John Lyne

Our father, John Lyne, who has recently passed away at the age of 92, spent his early life in South London where he experienced the effects of the blitz and the austerity of the war years. He was fortunate to attend Alleynes school where he proved to be a talented athlete setting, amongst others, the School Steeplechase record. His experiences at school formed the basis for his subsequent involvement with and commitment to education and learning throughout his life.

After school John went into National Service as a Physical Training Instructor with the Royal Fusiliers, East Surrey Regiment and finally Territorial Army. His next step after the army was a three year teacher training course at Loughborough College (now University) where he majored in PE. He competed alongside many of the best athletes of his era including the world record holder and Olympic medallist Gordon Pirie, won a number of National Cross Country team medals with his club South London Harriers and to his regret narrowly missed running in the marathon at the Melbourne Olympics.

He started his teaching career in a tough comprehensive school in South London where records testify to his inspirational teaching and ability to motivate the less engaged pupils. Throughout his life he was an innovator and was, in this instance, responsible for introducing pole vaulting to the school. John subsequently moved to Birmingham to become a school inspector in Solihull, a job he kept until retirement.

Throughout his working life and very full retirement he was involved in a wide range of activities that included running the Solihull Youth Movement Theatre, and on one occasion organising the National Youth Festival of Dance.

He enjoyed participating in alumni activities at Loughborough and in 2009 was conferred with a Bachelor of Arts degree as part of the Centenary Graduation Celebrations. 

John was a sociable and generous person who made friends easily. Throughout his life he valued the company of members of the church community, fellow athletes from his running clubs and colleagues from his teaching career.

He was pre-deceased by his wife Betty and is survived by his three children, seven grandchildren and five great grand children.