Robert HANCOCK Obituary

Well, finally Teb (my dad) Jock and Bob are together again as mates. Probably got Jock's medicine bag fulll of Gin and TOnic.
ENjoy old mate and thanks for being part of our family over so many years. Especially enjoyed your visits to Sydney

RIP Bob we only knew you for a short time at the Nelson Fire Station

I'm saddened to learn of Bob's passing. I recall him as the Scott Base radio operator when he would morse key my press releases back to New Zealand media. I'm glad we were able to recap our adventures on the ice at the great NZARP 68-69 reunion in 2008. His life lives on from those days in my memoir Tide Cracks and Sastrugi with a picture of him in action at the morse key on Page 228. He readily provided a radio operator's perspective for my novel Finding Dermot. On December 9, 1968 he asked that I include a note in the base newsletter: "A well-known Scott Base tea drinker asks that the morning pot of tea be kept off the range after it is made."Ah dorn't lak et stewed," he says."

Sad to hear of Bob's passing, he was Assistant Postmaster during the 1968/69 summer at Scott Base and I think he went on to become Postmaster the following year. He was a good man to have around base and joined in all activities with gusto. We met last at our 40 year reunion in Christchurch in 2008 and it was a quieter more introspective Bob that I recall then. These days we expect to live longer than the three score years and ten allotted our parents (but seldom attained) and 70 seems far too young for Bob. I am sure that Bob will be sorely missed by the Takaka Bay community and his family and my thoughts are with you today.

Robin Foubister, Leader, Scott Base 1968/69

Condolences to Bob's family. He was a truly lovely man and will be remembered fondly.