David Saady 1938-2021

David John Saady was born on 27 June 1938 in Suffolk. He won a boarding scholarship to Forest School where, apart from the academics, he spent much time playing and organising school cricket, played hockey and learned to play golf. Golf has been a great joy throughout his life, and he made many dear friends, winning several cups and a Captain’s Day trophy. He went on to organise the school’s Golf Society Halford Hewitt and Mellin teams becoming President of the Society. He was a trailblazer for the RAF Golfing Society Scottish Tour winning the Scottish Cup in 1983. David was the longest serving secretary of the Adastral golfing society - a duty he carried out with endless patience and good humour.

Joining the RAF in 1957 as a Henlow cadet, he continued his education at Fitzwilliam College (1958-61) reading Engineering. His love of Cambridge endured.

David was appointed to 83 Squadron, Bomber Command at RAF Scampton during which time a highlight was escorting four white low level Vulcan bombers as their engineer on a round-the-world trip visiting many small exotic islands including Tonga, and taking part in the opening of the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia, and also being in the accompanying party when the Queen presented new colours to Scampton. Next came a spell in Aden where he was Officer Commanding RAF Saltpans and acquired the GSM (South Arabia and Radfan).

In 1965 David married Jenny and they flew out to Kenya to start married life in Nairobi. Following this he completed an MSc in Electronics at Southampton and joined the Nimrod project at Woodford, Cheshire. Leaving the RAF, David became Sales Manager for Racal Milgo and leading a successful team, travelled to many countries of the world. During this time David bought a narrowboat, Roman Lady and became involved with the restoration of the Kennet and Avon Canal. He volunteered to be Managing Director of Enterprise, the business arm of the K and A Trust and oversaw three trip boats and several teashops, gift shops and outlets along the length of the canal. He also became long serving secretary and later chairman of the local branch.

David was fortunate to retire in his early fifties and he and Jenny spent a year restoring an unloved listed Georgian house on the River Kennet in Newbury to its former glory. In the following years they spent many happy months each year travelling the canals and rivers of Britain aboard their narrowboat.

Three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren - including Richard (Engineering 1988) and Yuta (Medicine 2018) - David’s family has been his greatest joy and he spent as much time as possible with them eventually moving to be near his daughter and her two boys. He was a lovely man with a wicked sense of humour, remaining happy and positive throughout his life. He died in December 2021.