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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Groves, who departed from this world in July 2023.
Excelling as a young all-rounder in cricket, winning the Daily Mail competition with an impressive score of 100 runs not out and 9 wickets for 11 runs, and in music as a solo chorister, he later became Head Boy at Heath Mount School before continuing his education at Lancing College in 1957. A trainee chartered accountant at 17, then a Fellow, he went on to lead to a distinguished career that spanned over six decades.
His career took him around the globe, serving as Chief Operating Officer in various countries, including Bahrain, Thailand, China, and the Southeast Asian region. His exceptional contributions to were recognised with a prestigious medal from the French Ministry of Commerce.
Beyond his professional success, Richard was a devoted family man. Becoming a father in his mid-twenties to his daughter Lisa and son Duncan, who gave Richard 7 grandchildren.
At age 60, fate magically brought him together with Dr Ying Groves, 20 years his junior and they moved to Oxford where Ying works. From that point on, Richard's life seemed to reverse in age, as if life truly began anew after retirement.
Apart from continually supporting his wife’s two businesses and looking after accounting and running the household until his last days, Richard took immense pride in his younger son George, who is now 13. As a stepfather Alex too, he embraced the responsibilities of school runs, cheered at sporting events for both, and always offered unwavering care to his extended family.
He died unexpectedly after a short hospitalisation with Endocarditis on the 14th of July 2023, six days before his 80th birthday, but peacefully with his wife holding his hands surrounded by love.
Ying Groves