Colin Douglas Richardson Whittle (S 61-66) 1947-2021
The OS Club has received the sad news that Colin Whittle, brother of Sedberghians Peter and Alasdair and father of OS Jamie Whittle, passed away earlier this year on 23rd May after an unexpected stroke. While at Sedbergh, Colin received his School Colours for rugby, having captained the 1st XV in 1966 and also playing for the 1965 side. He also finished an impressive 5th in the Wilson Run in 1964. Colin was a loyal and generous supporter of the School, becoming a governor in his later years. Please see below an obituary from his brother, Peter Whittle (S 59-64):
Colin and his siblings were born in the Kingdom of Fife, brought up in Edinburgh and, after their father Charles (a Sedberghian, S 35-40) finished as a housemaster at Fettes, the family moved north to Morayshire. Colin and his brothers were at Sedbergh together. He followed his brother Peter through Fitzwilliam and both read Economics and Land Economy (their brother Alasdair (S 62-67) went to ‘the other place’): both became FRICS.
Initially Colin’s career was in estate management but he soon identified wider opportunities and qualified as a lawyer as well. He also applied those skills as a governor at Sedbergh and Gordonstoun. Colin joined R&R Urquhart, solicitors in Forres, became a partner and then senior partner. Later his son Jamie (H 87-92) joined the partnership. The combined estate management and legal skills were a key in growing a very successful business.
In the 1970s, Colin picked up an infection while abroad and it attacked his kidneys. In 2008 his sister Anne offered him a kidney and that gave him thirteen extra years, for which he was immensely grateful and which he put to good use.
Colin was a good athlete and would have won a Cambridge rugby blue but for injury. He enjoyed birdwatching (ospreys, from the garden), skiing, shooting and riding. He and his wife Moira created a wonderful garden that runs down to the river Findhorn. Following a major stroke, Colin died on 23 May 2021 aged 73.
