Robert PAUL Obituary

Bob was a good friend of mine over the years. I remember our early days at school and as members of Hutt Valley Harriers. Bob was also foundation member of Petone Harriers. He was involved in the Trotting Industry training horses in Cambridge, so we didnt have much to do with each other for a few years.
Then one saturday at the HVH an over weight Bob appeared at the door announcing he was back to running again and was soon back to his best after putting in the hard yards. During this period he became a very good Masters athlete, attanding the 1981 Masters games in Christchurch. He could run sub 5min mile at the age of 50
He got involved with creating a Kiwifruit farm in Puriri (near Thames) with the help of a few Investors from the HVH. He lived alone with his cat "Lunch" and built the farm almost single handedly. His old friend Gordon Pirie, the English 5000m and 10000m Olympic runner used to stay with Bob every summer. I spent a weekend at Puriri with Bob and Gordon plus 2 young ahletes Gordon was coaching as a training camp I will never forget.
Bob later returned to Auckland and I introduced him to a group of runners "The Old Bastians" who met every saturday morning (and still do) outside the Tamaki yacht Club on Tamaki Drive.
Bob continued attending these saturday meetings for some years even though his illness was slowing him down to a walk eventually. He alway enjoyed just being out and doing something with his friends.
Rest in peace Old mate