Reg Webb obituary

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/07/reg-webb-obituary

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Our father, Reg Webb, who has died aged 90, never forgot his working-class roots despite pursuing a successful business career that took him to the top of his profession as an insurance administrator.

He was born in Leyton, east London, and grew up in a home where money was scarce. His father, Walter, who had been badly injured during the first world war and was one of the first recipients of plastic surgery, suffered long periods of unemployment during the 1920s. His mother, Violet (nee Merrett) took in laundry to supplement the family income, and Reg and his sister, Pat, grew up in a household where it was a struggle to make ends meet.

After leaving school at 14, Reg worked as a baker’s boy. In 1943 he joined the RAF, and was posted to Egypt, where he became a radio operator. There he was taken under the wing of an officer who spotted his potential, encouraged him to widen his horizons and helpe him get rid of on his cockney accent. Reg liked to say that the RAF educated him.

Demobbed in 1948, he returned to Leyton and joined the London County council as a housing inspector, simultaneously taking advantage of the many free evening classes provided by the Workers’ Educational Association in subjects such as cabinetmaking and music appreciation. In 1957 he joined Prudential Assurance as a clerk, and began to rise steadily through the ranks, showing a talent for administration and a fondness for hard work. By the time of his retirement in 1988, he was responsible for the company’s administration nationwide.

Reg was a progressive and open-minded man who loathed snobbery and taught his children to value hard work, kindness and compassion. He volunteered for numerous charities, including the Samaritans.

He loved music and travel, and was hugely proud of his daughters and grandchildren. After his first marriage to our mother, Nina (nee Beal), ended in divorce, he found happiness with his second wife, Beatrice (nee Brown), who worked with him at the Prudential. By nature a quiet and unassuming man, he loved family gatherings, and was overjoyed that we were able to celebrate his 90th birthday together last December.

He is survived by Beatrice, the three of us, and his grandchildren, Joe, Jake and Lily.