Obituary: Stuart Dyke

July 2019

It was with great sadness and shock that we learnt of the sudden death of Dr Stuart Dyke in July 2019.

In the summer of 1982 Stuart arrived at RAF Gütersloh with his wife and family to take up his appointment as Language Development Officer based in the Teachers' Centre, Mansergh Barracks, Gütersloh. As Stuart stepped off the plane the RAF Red Arrows in full display formation arrived with immaculate timing and seemed to set the pace for him to begin his new career. His larger than life and sparkling personality soon earned him many friends and respect as he set out to establish the new Language Centre. Over time he developed regular short and long courses for primary teachers and encouraged guest speakers from the UK including Pat D'Arcy and Professor Andrew Wilkinson of the University of East Anglia who was Stuart's tutor for his PHD qualification.

Stuart was also regularly invited to participate in school-based staff development for teaching and learning, aspects of language teaching, reading and writing skills and spelling. He further encouraged teachers to share ideas in consortium clusters. He worked well with advisory teachers and inspector advisers therefore making a valuable contribution to the advisory service. He had a gifted talent and sense of humour which was evident in his style of communication with teachers and his infectious enthusiasm became an essential feature with all who worked with him. Stuart will be sadly missed by all who knew him for his love of life and his contribution to making life fun.