Brian Frederick Smith

Brian’s formative years were spent in North London before going on to further studies at what was then Loughborough College, now Loughborough University.  After graduation, he taught Physical Education at Hassenbrook School in Stanford-le Hope. Essex, rising to become Head of Department.

In 1974 aged 41, he opted for a change of career and left his teaching post in Essex to become a ski-ing instructor in Chamonix, later at Puy de Dôme, during the winter and hiring canoes and kayaks on the river Allier in the summer.  Whilst at Chamonix, he met Marie-Claude, and together, they saw an opportunity to set up an artisanal workshop to build canoes and kayaks from glass reinforced polyester resins under the name “Auvergne Kayaks”.  From small beginnings, the business grew and in its time, won awards for innovation and entrepreneurship.  Canoes and kayaks were exported throughout Europe, delivered personally by Brian so that personal contact with his customers could be maintained.  Unfortunately for Brian and Marie-Claude, the arrival of injection moulded canoes and kayaks in polypropylene saw a gradual end to Auvergne Kayaks but Brian & Marie-Claude had the wisdom to close the business before the inevitable.

Brian had great energy and loved the outdoor life, camping and back packing around the world, and in this, he was enthusiastically joined by Marie-Claude.  Together they travelled widely including several visits to China which they loved, the last when Brian was 83 years of age.

He was pleased when Loughborough University renewed contact in recent years with alumni of his age confirming degree status on his generation of students, many of whom had subsequently become Physical Education teachers or professional sportsmen and sportswomen.

Brian often held the floor in discussion with strong views on a multitude of subjects.  A friend has commented “If you wanted an argument, you got an argument”, but behind the façade was a kind and generous man with a well developed British sense of humour, a sense of adventure, always looking positively towards the future and seeking a light at the end of each tunnel.

His death came instantaneously at the age of 88, almost certainly as he would have wanted, but as a great shock to those around him, particularly Marie-Claude. 

Brian is survived by his wife, Marie-Claude, and three children by his first marriage.