As was before, so will be

Greetings to those who knew Robert personally, Greetings to those who's lives he touched in some way, Greetings to those who found strength and gained a insight into a life shared by family and reluctantly shared by a cruel Mistress known as Motor Neurone Disease.

My name is John, Robert's oldest son, and I thought it high time that I put a little post on here, my brother and I are going to keep this blog running, partly for prosperity of memories and the hopes and aspirations of a man who went before his time.

This is a short post, I am somewhat a simple man, not eloquent with words, but I will say this;

Dad was not a overly religious man, he believed in something, I don't think he bothered much with exactly which maker he was meeting in the end, it was the family around him that comforted him more.

I have my religious views so all I will say this, a stanza out of the Havamal, something for everyone to ponder, this sums up what I, and a lot of people, think of my father

Cattle die, kindred die;

Every man is mortal;

But the good name never dies

Of one who has done well.

Dad did well, he fought right till the bittersweet end, such a relief to be there when he took his last breath, but such sadness also, sadness that he was taken too soon from us all.

Love you Dad, see you again some day.

Far Med Gudane!

The final journey ROBERT ANDREW COUTTS 24.03.1942 - 01.08.2008

ROBERT ANDREW COUTTS passed peacefully on the 1st August at 2:43 am at Te Omanga Hospice in the comfort of family and loved ones.

On behalf of the Coutts family: Jan, my brother John and our families i would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to all those who cared for Robert, and also to those who new him as a good friend. And thank you to Brian Ross for the lovely ceremony held for Robert.

The week that has just passed has been one of sadness, but also one of realisation that the journey we call life has its twists and turns, we reflect on the good times to crack a smile and bring ourselves some peace.
To have those wonderful memories of a remarkable man, a man who even though was given a sentence of time on his life was never bitter, never angry, who always stayed positive, a man who never worried about his own self, but of the feelings of others who supported him.

We will forever be thinking of you Dad, rest well and will see you again someday :-)

From the Dominion Post August 6th 2008

COUTTS, Robert Andrew - On August 1, 2008, peacefully at te Omanga Hospice, surrounded by family; aged 66 years. Adored husband of Jan and much loved father and father in-law of John & Tania and Phil & Tamlyn.Treasured poppa of Shianne, Danielle and Isaiah; and granddad of Kaleb, L'Vcaean (Luke), John-mark and Unborn Bubby.
In Lieu of flowers, donations to the wellington SPCA would be appreciated and may be posted to PO Box 7069, Wellington.
In keeping with Robert's wishes, a private cremation has been held.
All messages to 74 Clouston Park Road, Upper Hutt