A sad farewell
Craig Shearer (February 27, 2023)
Last Friday I attended a service for Robert Woolf. Long time members of NZ Skeptics would recognise Robert's name as a committee member, and conference attendee. He also attended Skeptics in the Pub in Auckland back when it was first running.
Robert's memorial service programme
Robert was tragically taken after being struck by a train at a level crossing in West Auckland. He was a prominent member of Forest and Bird, and their site has a tribute to him.
Robert was heavily involved with Forest and Bird Waitakere
I had been contacted by Robert's nephew, Sam, who told me that NZ Skeptics were a big part of his uncle's life, so I decided to attend the service. I can't say I knew Robert well, but attending the service for him was a real pleasure.
The service was well attended, with over 100 people who turned up on a rainy day in Auckland.
While the service was held at a Baptist church, and opened by their senior pastor, Gary, it was very non-religious (with the promise of no hymns or singing). The pastor's opening remarks mentioned that Robert was a “confirmed atheist”, but was a true friend, with whom he had many theological discussions over the years.
Gary's comments about Robert conveyed a deep friendship. He admired how educated Robert was, and that he was clearly a wise man, and that he knew what he was talking about. They debated Christianity, but respected each other's positions. He always knew he'd have great conversations with Robert.
Despite Robert's disbelief, he was a well-known face at the church. From what I could tell, it seems that the church had a genuine care for supporting the community, which is a nice contrast to the mega churches we often comment on in this newsletter.
Robert was clearly loved by his family and friends, and also had a fascinating life.
His nephew Sam revealed that Robert grew up with undiagnosed Autism, something that would have been common at the time. (I'm unsure of Robert's age - it's not mentioned in any obituary - though I'd estimate he was in his 70s, so would have been born probably in the 1950s). His family was Jewish, and his father an abusive alcoholic. So he had a difficult childhood.
By the age of 12 he told his family that he flatly refused to participate in a Bar mitzvah ceremony. By the age of 14 he decided he was bored with school, and his family kept telling him how stupid he was, so he quit, and decided to attend university instead. He easily gained the University Entrance qualification, and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts, followed by a Masters in Philosophy. His nephew commented that he wished he'd known that before he started debating philosophy with him.
Robert also went on to study interior design, but apparently that was totally wasted, given the state of his house 🙂
Robert went on to lead a bit of a quirky life, something that is probably pretty common with people on the autism spectrum.
Responding to a comment from friends that he "had enough stamps to start a stamp shop", that's what he did, though it closed after 6 months, not being very successful. I guess he took his friends' comments too literally - something that people with Autism often do.
He was extremely well read, and had deep knowledge on many topics, which he'd speak on eloquently, according to those who spoke about him at the service.
In addition to his involvement with NZ Skeptics, he was deeply involved with Forest and Bird, becoming chair of the Waitakere branch. (It was actually this involvement which led him to step down from the NZ Skeptics committee.)
He was also involved with the U3A organisation - the University of the 3rd Age, which is a group that promotes learning late in life.
There was certainly an outpouring of love for Robert expressed at the service. He was an eccentric person, but one who threw himself into life and participated fully in community. He was described as a man with considerable intelligence, and a wry sense of humour. He was very entertaining, with his random comments and observations.
Towards the end of the service, people were invited up to speak, so I got up and said a few words about Robert and his involvement with NZ Skeptics, and I'm glad I did. (My usual inclination at these things is to stay in the background - not usually to get up and speak in front of a crowd.)
His family seemed appreciative that I did, too, and I had a few conversations afterwards with family members and friends, talking about his skepticism, and how much he hated homeopathy!
It's with sadness that we farewell Robert, an “eccentric collector of knowledge, an erudite wordsmith”, and a good human being.