Bruce COCKBURN Obituary

I was at Rongotai College in the late 1970s. Mr Cockburn was my form teacher and tried his best to get me to learn chemistry. He was a gentleman and had a dry sense of humour and always looked out for his students. I went on many tramping trips with him and got to know the Orongorongo track, Catchpool swimming hole in the Remutaka Forest really well because of him. Bruce was responsible for my love of tramping and my appreciation of chemistry that led me into biochemistry at university. I remember him at the McEvedy Shield and Rongotai athletics days as the starter with the sawn off 22 as the starter pistol. Our chariot has rolled over another RCOB. Vale Bruce L Cockburn. RIP.

I'm an RCOB from the 1960s and now feel so fortunate to have been back in NZ from the US where I live, at about this time last year, for a 1968 sporting teams´ reunion. I got to meet with Bruce again after so many long years, at a social gathering as well as he inviting me back to his home for an afternoon to chat and reminisce. He hadn't changed a bit!
While at college, Bruce was my science teacher and it was he I feel, who had the most influence on steering me to my career in science - for which I'm forever grateful. I was also a member of the Tramping Club and as Bruce was the master in charge, I got to enjoy his company outside of the classroom on tramping trips to the Tararua Ranges and to "Bonk's Hut". Very fond memories. It was these that probably invigorated my curiosity about the natural world and set the groundwork for my many research trips to remote areas of the Antarctic and Arctic.
As others have mentioned, behind Bruce's unpretentious personality was a wry sense of humour which I greatly enjoyed; as well as his leadership, not by bombastry but by quiet, unassuming, thoughtful example.
With greatest respect and lasting memories...

Like Graeme and Brendon, I have fond memories of Bruce as a no-nonsense teacher who cared about his students and his subject in ways that continued after his retirement. He was 'old school' in the best possible meaning of the term. Bruce will be remembered with a smile by all the Rongotai students who had the fortune to cross his path.

A real gentleman, with a wry sense of humour. He made an enormous contribution to Rongotai College, both in and out of the classroom. I still have fond memories of my time in his classes back in the 1970's. RIP.

I really appreciated the assistance Bruce provided me in organising the various "third form classes of 1969" catch ups over many years - over and above his devoted and invaluable work with the Rongotai College Old Boys Association. Go well Bruce

A very fine man. I knew him as a teacher and later as a colleague. I have fond memories of Bruce.

To the Family of dear Bruce, my sincere condolences. I knew him as my teacher, then he came to be my patient in his retirement - and still he taught me things. Fond memories. RIP.