John’s daughter Alison writes:

Professor (formerly Wing Commander) John Sandford died in his 91st year. He was a pupil at the school 1934-1941, and also on the teaching staff (Maths, I think) after University and before joining the Education Branch of the RAF in 1947.

He retired from the RAF in 1970 and took up a teaching & research post in Brussels at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics until retiring to the south of France in 1984.  He would return to the school reunions at every opportunity until he was no longer able to make the journey from France – I think the last reunion he attended was 2006, or possibly 2004.  His younger sister Jean was also at the school and they would attend together – she died suddenly in September 2005, which makes me think he may not have been with you in 2006.  Mum died in November 2011, and Papa returned to England in October last year – just 5 days too late to attend the Reunion…  He was on good form and settling well into a Care Home near us in Sussex.  His death came as a shock to us all.

Papa’s funeral will be in Godalming at the Crematorium on Friday 30th January at 2.15pm.  In his retirement he was a very keen long distance walker and so we are suggesting donations, if wished, in his memory to the Ramblers Association (now known as “The Ramblers”).  There will be announcement in the Surrey Advertiser this week.  The funeral directors are Gorringes, 55 Hare Lane, Farncombe.

It would be good to know if anyone will be coming, just for catering purposes.

With many thanks and best wishes

Alison Sandford MacKenzie