Obituary

Geoff Bridgeman pays tribute to a loyal and committed member of the FMB, Robert Fulton, who died recently.

 

It is with regret that I have to write that one of our colleagues Robert Fulton died suddenly on Saturday 15th March 2008. Robert was a stalwart member of the FMB and had served in a number of positions both regionally and nationally. Although Robert lived in Carmarthen he was a proud Scotsman and a fervent Rangers supporter.

 

Although never forgetting his Scottish heritage Robert integrated himself fully into Carmarthen and West Wales life. Robert and his wife Val were both Vice Presidents of Carmarthen football club and travelled extensively with the club. Robert was also a leading light with the Carmarthen Lions for 31 years and raised a tremendous amount of money during that time for various causes. He had a soft spot for Whitemill Special School in Carmarthen which looks after children with learning difficulties, and again raised funds for the school over a 25 year period. Every Christmas Robert would be the main instigator in raising funds to ensure that the pupils received presents.

 

Robert was 60 and ran R W Fulton in Carmarthen, he had been a member of the FMB for 32 years, and served as a National Councillor for 17 years. He has held both branch and regional office and was President of FMB Wales in 1995/6. He was also uniquely, a member of two branches consecutively, West Wales and Swansea and District, and held the distinction of being Chairman of both branches. Robert was a driving force in starting the West Wales branch and the branch recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and this is due to his unstinting efforts.

 

As already mentioned Robert was a proud Scotsman and again was a key fixture in the Caledonian Society. Robert took great pleasure in all things Scottish and the highlight was Burns night when he gave the "ode to the haggis". He was instantly recognisable at FMB events dressed in his full regalia with either kilt or tartan trews on, he was the life and soul of the party and would dance the night away.

 

Robert will be sadly missed by the FMB and the vast amount of friends that he made throughout the country. Our thoughts are with his family, his wife Val and his two children Shelley and Scott.

Richard Diment, the FMB Director General said: "I had only known Robert for 12 months but his commitment and enthusiasm for FMB was obvious from the first day we met. The news of his death was a shock to all of us. FMB has lost a character who will be sorely missed."

Geoff Snow was the FMB National President for two years from 2003, he and his wife Carole, knew Rob and Val for twenty years. This is what he had to say following Rob's death: "Rob represented the Swansea branch to the South Wales Region and was elected to National Council along with myself in 1990. He was a tremendous supporter of the FMB. We supported all the National Conferences together during his time as National Delegate including last year in Peebles although both did not have good health at the time. We have had so many good memories over the years, for all the things he has done for the FMB. He was a great friend to us all and that showed by the number of members that travelled from all over the country to say their last farewells at the funeral. He will be sadly missed and our sympathies go out to Val, Scott and Shelley."