Tributes have poured out to an ex-Rickmansworth schoolteacher after he passed away on Thursday January 9.
A fanatic storyteller, a narrowboat dweller, a lover of the great outdoors – Christopher Barber lived life to the fullest.
He moved to Rickmansworth at age 17 to pursue a career in teaching. Proving to be a wise decision, Christopher soon found a place as the technology teacher at Rickmansworth School. He worked there for the next 27 years and eventually progressed to head of department.
Life was anything but dull for Christopher. In 1977, he bought the shell of a 100-year-old boat which was previously pulled by horses to transport goods across the UK. Christopher transformed the shell into his family’s home, The Sun.
This was where Lottie, his daughter, grew up and where he and he and his wife, Penny Barber, lived for the majority of their lives.
The family had a permanent mooring behind the White Bear pub, a place where Christoper was a familiar face.
Lottie recalls summer trips far and wide aboard The Sun. When she was eight years old, her dad built her her very own boat. Affectionately known as Bug the Tug, Lottie’s friends were filled with jealousy over her floating home.
Lottie’s post on Facebook notifying people of her father’s death received 60 comments – a testament to Christopher’s popularity and kind nature.
He was so well known in the area that when Lottie went to register her new name after getting married, the registrar asked her “by any chance are you Mr Barbour’s daughter?”.
“Mum and I will miss you, Dad,” said Lottie.
Mr Simon White, Assistant Headteacher remembered Chris by saying “Chris was a greatly valued and much-loved member of staff at Rickmansworth School.
“As a dedicated DT teacher, he inspired countless students to design and create extraordinary projects. He also enriched the students’ experience by running numerous school trips on his barge, navigating the local waterways and sharing his passion for adventure.
“As a colleague, Chris was known for organising legendary boat trips on the River Thames, always taking personal pride in preparing the food for these memorable events. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by everyone in the Rickmansworth School community.”
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