Duncan Otho Steele Bennett (H, 1980)

The following tribute has been provided by Duncan's family.

Following in the footsteps of his brother Christopher (H, 1975), Duncan joined College and Hazelwell House under the care of Trevor Davies in 1975. He took boarding school in his own stride. He made friends, quite a few of them international students, increasing his curiosity to explore the world. He enjoyed athletics, in particular running. He was an enthusiastic member of the Ladies College Choral Society! Quite an achiever too, going on to read Management Science at Manchester University (UMIST) where he met his wife, Joyce. 

After graduating, his first job was with Thorn EMI in London. His passion for travel subsequently took him on a gap year travelling around the world. He enjoyed recounting his adventures and especially learning Spanish whilst living with a family in Guatemala. 

On his return, he joined the family business in Worcester. He married Joyce, a GP, in 1989 and they soon started a family. He enjoyed family life and with three young sons, he found himself involved in their sporting activities including rugby and rowing but only as an observer with piano lessons! He also enjoyed skiing and gardening. 

Following his father's retirement, Duncan became Managing Director of the business. Having started in the frozen food business, he made the decision to concentrate on the manufacture of luxury farmhouse ice cream using fresh whole milk from the family farm. Under his management, the business grew as he successfully implemented expansion leading to a wider customer base and distribution as far afield as the South Coast. Needless to say, the ice cream is delicious! 

His beloved ice cream business will continue as a family business under the direction of his two youngest sons, Robert and Oliver. 

Duncan left us too soon, having put up a brave fight following his diagnosis with cancer the previous year.

He is survived by his wife and their three sons.