Former Henley Standard editor Bob Gallimore has died – doing one of the things he loved best: playing cricket.

Bob, (61), was making his return to the pitch after a break of four years through ill-health and had completed a successful innings before tragedy struck.

He walked from the pitch to applause from his fellow players and spectators but collapsed halfway to the pavilion.

Despite resuscitation attempts by a member of the opposition team, he died of a suspected heart attack. The match was called off.

Fellow team member Alan Hudson said: “It is a terrible tragedy. He had looked so well recently and said he was feeling fit and that is why he decided to make his return.”

Bob had agreed to play in the fixture at Whitchurch Hill when approached by team members the night before to fill a space.

Rosemary Ashton, his partner for 15 years, said: “He had been feeling really well lately and was very keen to play again. We talked about it and decided he should play. I thought it would be really nice for him.”

Bob worked at the Henley Standard from 1984 to 1990, the last two years of which he was the editor.

Current editor George Tuckfield said: “I knew Bob as a friend and fellow journalist for 30 years. He was loyal, good company and always professional in his work. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Former mayor and town councillor Tony Lane said: “He was a very nice person who contributed greatly to the town through his newspaper reporting and his association with the local Conservative Party. He was truly a real gentleman.”

Bob had devoted much of his life to a career in journalism starting out as a reporter straight from school with Berrows Newspapers near Worcester in 1959.

At 22 he moved to the Reading Chronicle and Berkshire Mercury for three years, before moving on to the Oxford Mail and Times for another three years.

His love of sport was the key to his next job as sports editor at the Newbury Weekly News where he stayed for six years. In 1975 he returned to the Reading Newspaper Co. as district reporter for the Henley Mercury.

He was well known for his passion for cricket and horse racing, and was a founder of the Sonning Common Village Cricket Team with whom he played regularly up until four years ago when ill health intervened.

His main love was his family – he was an extremely proud and devoted father to his three children Sarah, Chris and Caroline, his step-son John, and his five grandchildren, whom he adored.

Five years ago Bob retired from his post as sports editor on the Wokingham Times (1990-95) and spent more time in the garden ‘enjoying life’.

The funeral was due to take place today at Holy Trinity Church in Henley.

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