The club has just learned of the sad passing of honorary life member, Bob Stephen, aged 91. Bob was many things in athletics, an athlete, coach, official and a fantastic organiser. If we start with his athletic career he started in the late 1940’s appearing in the Scottish rankings until the early 60’s. During this time he won 3 National Triple Jump Titles (1952, 53, 55) and 3 National Long Jump Titles (1953, 55, 56). He was also 2nd (1954) and 3rd (1956) in the Triple and to complete his set of National Medals a 3rd in the Long Jump in 1959. He also picked up a Silver Junior AAA Medal in 1951 in the Hop, Skip and Jump (Triple Jump). With PB’s of 14.04 m (Triple Jump) and 6.91m (Long Jump) he would be still a force to be reckoned with today. He was awarded Honorary Life Membership of Shettleston Harriers and won our club’s prestigious Paul Richfeld Trophy for his contribution to the club in 1953. He also found time to be the club secretary in 1952-53.
The club was incredibly strong in the Triple Jump and Long Jump around this time with Tom McNab and Ron Gray (Australian Champion) around, so winning any titles was all the more successful. Bob then started a very successful business career based next to Tennants Brewery and finally retiring from a new factory in Alexandria Parade. He was a proud father to Iain and Linda and husband to Dora. All three were involved in athletics with Bob. This year we at Shettleston Harriers are celebrating 20 years of girls being part of our club, but this may surprise some people it is not more years. In the 1930’s the club had a very successful Ladies section winning the first National Cross Country Title and numerous Track &Field titles but they were not welcomed by some male members and the section folded around 1935. In the early 1970’s Bob’s children were growing up with Iain competing for the men’s club and Linda joining the ‘ladies’ in separate club Shettleston Harriers Ladies. At this time a number of other Dad’s and interested individuals reignited Shettleston Harriers Ladies. Bob and Dora embraced this challenged and their success with the club is well documented producing British / Scottish and numerous other international athletes. With Dora as the chief organiser and Bobs coaching skills the club rose to Division One of the British League. Bob’s daughter, Linda, was one of the benefactors of his mentoring skills, competing for the British Junior team over the hurdles. Later on Bob’s granddaughter, Suzanne Begg, with Bob’s guidance, advice and wisdom became one of Scotland’s top junior sprinters, an athletic family. Both Dora and Bob also found time to officiate at the highest level. Bob was also very involved with the planning team for many Glasgow Marathons, Glasgow City Council (Sport) and the Scottish Schools. In recent years he was honoured by Scottish Athletics being awarded an Honorary Life Membership, as well as an award from Glasgow Sports Council for 40 years of contribution to Athletics in Glasgow.
Thousands of young athletes have been helped by Bob and his family, picking them up by mini bus and cars, giving thousands of hours coaching, officiating and financial help. After the death of Dora in the early 90’s Bob retired from coaching and Shettleston Ladies folded, only to be re born again and finally joined the men in their centenary year, 2004. I know Bob was delighted to have a ‘one club’. He kept a keen interest in the club and in athletics in general. For many years he attended the Scottish Schools Championships both indoors and outdoors, presenting many medals to the future generations. The club and the whole of Scottish athletics would like to express our gratitude to Bob and his family for his contribute to the Sport. We send our condolences to Ian and Linda and the extended Stephen’s family.
Bob’s Funeral will be on 28th Feb at Daldowie Crematorium, Broom House, 17 Hamilton Rd, Uddingston G71 7RU at 2pm.