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Bob Cuthbert was born in November 1934, and, as the oldest child, had to leave school at as soon as possible to start work in the Butchery trade in order to supplement the family income. After his two year’s National Service in the RAF, he worked for a time in the slaughter house in South Shields, before moving on to a new career as a Honda motorcycle mechanic.
In the early sixties Bob developed (pun intended) a passion for photography, and in 1966 joined South Shields Photographic Society. He was soon elected onto the Committee where, over the years, he held many positions including Secretary, Competition Secretary and President, holding this last post from 1978 to 1975.
Bob was mainly interested in monochrome print work, and had a number of successes with his photographs in club competitions, and at national and international levels. He was passionate in all things photographic, and over the years amassed a large collection of cameras, both old and new. Bob especially enjoyed large format cameras, and regularly used an MPP Micropress 5 X 4 and a Mamiya 2¼ X 2¼ for “professional” work for 35mm work, he used Olympus OM1, OM2 and Konica cameras.
As his interests diversified, he became involved more with the NCPF, including lecturing (“E6 film processing”), presenting slide shows (“Photographers Old and New”) and doing twin projector audio visual slide shows with Bill Goodfellow, another long time member of the SSPS. He was always keen to help out younger members, passing on his extensive knowledge of the science and art of the photographic process. In the early 1990's he was invited to become a judge for the NCPF and rapidly gained a reputation as a knowledgeable and entertaining critic.
Bob was a very active person who loved cycling, running, camping, cooking, metal working, DIY, wine making and gardening. He especially loved walking in the Lake District, always carrying a camera with him so he could record the beautiful scenery to be found on the high fells.
On the 2nd of July 1997, aged 62, Bob suffered a massive fatal heart attack while out riding on his beloved bicycle. Bob left his wife Cath, son Lawrence and daughter-in-law Ann, and the joy of his life his granddaughter Lauren.
It is fitting to sign off this piece in the manner Bob ended all his photographic correspondence:
125th @ F11
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