It was with much sadness that in May 2023, we shared news that Bob Draper, one of BRLSI’s most loved and valued volunteers and the House Manager at BRLSI for many years, died. Bob was the face of BRLSI to countless visitors and members for nearly thirty years. His kindness, warmth, humour, fervent sense of curiosity, and belief that culture was for the many and not the few are values that he has instilled in BRLSI forever. It was for a lifetime of dedication to BRLSI that Bob was awarded the MBE for services to the Institution in the New Year’s Eve Honours list in 2005.

But if there is a time for sorrow there is also a time for joy, and we know that like us, many of you will want to keep celebrating Bob’s achievements and influence over BRLSI for a long time to come. This online celebration of Bob is a way for us to keep cherishing Bob’s memory and is intended to represent just a tiny fraction of the characteristics and qualities that made Bob so special to us all.

Book of Condolence

On news of Bob’s passing many of you wished to share your special thoughts and memories with us in a book of condolence. Please take a minute to read these recollections and enjoy some wonderful photographs of Bob throughout his years at BRLSI, and afterward.

Accolades & Awards

In January 2005 Bob Draper received notification that following publication of the New Year’s honours list, he would be named for an investiture. Bob happily accepted and in May 2005 he received an MBE from Prince Charles, now King Charles III. Please click on the link below to find out a little more about the day and enjoy some wonderful photographs of Bob looking exceptionally smart.

More about the day
Bob in Conversation

If we can’t enjoy Bob’s physical presence anymore then we are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy his digital one. Simon Tyler interviewed Bob at the BRLSI back in 2011 and has agree to share some fantastic video snippets with us, interspersed with some insights into Bob’s character from others, it’s a lovely chance to keep hold of both his intelligence and his much-cherished wit.

Simon said, ‘Bob was the first person I knew when I walked into the BRLSI for the first time in the 1990s. His usual greeting was ‘Would you like a cup of tea’, followed or preceded by ‘Have you met xxxxxx? He/She is a xxxxxx’. Bob always wanted people to connect. In many respects Bob WAS the BRLSI, and when he left, it changed forever. This is our way of keeping it the same and we hope you enjoy it.

Bob Recommends

Long before it went digital, Bob Draper wrote BRLSI’s weekly What’s On newsletter, known then as ‘Bob’s Bulletin’. There was much burning of the midnight oil, with the ‘send’ button being known to have been pressed as late as four in the morning, and alongside his list of regular events and talks, the bulletin was packed with a miscellany of quirky facts and music recommendations. Here is just a small sample of Bob’s recommendations.

Remembering Bob

Bob did so many jobs and was multi skilled and always willing to help.

Here are just a few of the countless ways he is cherished in our memories.

Bob’s Bulletin
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Click to discover the wonderful world of Bob’s Bulletin