Following the sad news of the death of David Kinmont and his wife, please see below for RGS comments and tributes.

To add your comment, please email aleigh@geotechnics.co.uk

I thought I should let you know that awaiting us on our return from France was a card from Alexander Kinmont – David and Ann’s eldest of three sons – informing us of the funeral of both their parents.

When I came to Bristol in 1984, David was working in the Fine Art faculty of the University. He saw an article I’d written and made contact and we subsequently met a good few times at our house and theirs – once on David’s birthday, when we also met their sons. But they moved away when Ann retired and we lost contact some years ago.

Awful news – but I thought you and other friends might not have heard and would want to know.

John Prescott Thomas

This sounds like very sad news. David was in such good fettle at the reunion he came to 4 years ago.
I was one of his less able student artists – but I tried really hard for him because I recognised he was such a good teacher! My abiding memory of him is the ‘clunk’ of leather against metal when he kept wicket at the end-of-year Staff vs. Students’ cricket match. He of course was the first to see the funny side of it!

Alan Nuttall

In the 6th form doing A level tucked into the back room of the art class together with Phill Esmor Thomas, Brenda Shipperley, and Beryl Porter we slogged away . David would set up a very intricate still-life which would usually take us about a month to complete, but if required he would always stay late after school if required. After seeing us set up and start he would disappear to smoke and drink tea in the next door woodwork room with Ossie Owen popping back occasionally to offer some help. The artroom looked onto the playing fields and we could watch the girls playing hockey which was quite terrifying.

Of course we all had to study History of Art as well. Imagine trying to do this in the school library with all, repeat all the nudes having been ripped out by the Librarian. It was my first introduction to censorship. However David had his own answer. He bought his own course books which we all shared. He helped with the sts and the gondolier in the GandS `Gondoliers and even came to watch the soccer team play on Saturday mornings.

It was at the Abergele reunion that we met for the first time since schooldays. He looked fit and well, and it was there that I met his lovely wife Ann and together we shared some laughter. I am sure that all of us who knew David will pass on our condolences to the family.

Gwyn Williams

Gwyn recently represented Wales at the Arts Council Exhibition `Wales Drawing` which showed at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre and also at Wrexham. He has an etching at auction later this month at Bonhams.

I still find it difficult to call a teacher by his Christian name, so I won't. Art with Mr Kinmont was my favourite lesson. I wasn't particularly good at it but he gave me credit for trying. He told me off one day (mistakenly as it happened) and was the only teacher ever to apologise to me later, so I learned two lessons that day.

When we met at the reunion I was amazed he remembered me and my circle of friends. I intended to go back and have a longer chat with him but didn't - another lesson learned! I just want to add my own personal tribute to Mr David Kinmont.

Stephanie Forber (now Espley)

I am sorry to hear of the death of Mr Kinmont. He was a very nice man
and a good teacher who encouraged even hopeless cases like myself.

Chris Parry