Tony van der Kuyl, RIP

Posted on | January 25, 2008 | 46 Comments

Scottish Education has lost a man of towering presence, in every sense, and a man of massive stamina and exuberance. Tony van der Kuyl died yesterday (Thursday 24th January) and his passing will leave a gap that I doubt will ever really be filled again.

Tony, for many years, ran the Scottish Interactive Technology Centre, originally part of Moray House College of Education, and latterly part of Edinburgh University. It was impossible to meet Tony, under any circumstances, whether personal or professional, and not be taken aback by the sheer energy and driving will of this giant of a man. He exuded ideas and passion for both education and technology from every pore, and he was never less than kind and friendly and helpful in his own inimitable way to everyone he met.

Many of my colleagues in Scottish Education (and way beyond) knew Tony far better than I did, but I was always blown away, whenever I met him, with his words of enthusiasm for the work I and so many others were doing in SSDN/Glow or in any other sphere over the past few years. He never met me without offering advice about some aspect of what I was working on – and it was always advice I took seriously.

Tony was part of that small coterie of ICT champions that took forward the original Superhighways Task Force in Scotland, in the 1990s, alongside my other good friends and colleagues, Stuart Robertson, Jim Buchan and Sheona McDonald. I have heard a few tales of their joint exploits as they toured the country preaching the benefits of ICT in teaching and learning, and I know that all three of them will miss Tony hugely.

The oddest thing, even in these few inadequate words about Tony, is the unlikely juxtaposition of his name with the word ‘rest’ in the title above – it is impossible for anyone who ever came into contact with Tony van der Kuyl to link him with the concept of rest.

He will be sorely missed!

Technorati Tags: tony van der kuyl, superhighways task force, SITC, scottish education

Category: education, personal

Comments

46 Responses to “Tony van der Kuyl, RIP”

Theo Kuechel
January 25th, 2008 @ 5:32 pm

Very sad to hear this news. Although I only met Tony twice; once at a NAACE conference where he brilliantly demolished some of Becta’s ‘research’ and at Teechmeeto6, I feel as if I knew him. I would have liked to sit down with him and a wee or even a large dram. So thinking of Tony on this Burns night.
John Connell
January 25th, 2008 @ 5:51 pm

“Gie me ae spark o’ Nature’s fire,
That’s a’ the learning I desire.”
Tony had that spark in abundance!
Chris van der Kuyl
January 25th, 2008 @ 6:14 pm

My Dad would have appreciated your thoughts and kind words.
He just wanted to make a difference to every child’s education experience and I think he did.
John Potter
January 25th, 2008 @ 6:39 pm

I have just heard the news through the ITTE list.
I am so very sorry to learn this. Whenever I had the pleasure of running into him, Tony was wonderful, inspiring company. I treasure memories of the Dundee ITTE conference but there are many, many others. He was inspirational. I’m thinking of his family and close friends tonight…all best wishes, John
Con Morris
January 25th, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

Very sad news indeed. Although I only met Tony a few times, he left a lasting impression from the early days of the Domesday interactive disc to his recent advice on our online CPD project. He was always passionate and it’s impossible to think of a BETT show or Scottish Learning Festival without Tony. You always heard him long before you saw him! Like others, my thoughts are with Tony’s family and friends tonight.
Margaret Alcorn
January 25th, 2008 @ 7:56 pm

At an International Conference in Germany, a Canadian principal, on realising I was from Scotland, said, “One of the most energetic and charismatic people I ever met was a big bear of a man, who pinned me and a group of colleagues down while he shared his vision of the glories of technology. He was Scottish.”

It was of course Tony. He’ll be missed
Neil MacFarlane
January 26th, 2008 @ 12:14 am

I first met Tony in the Superhighways Task Force days. His commitment and enthusiasm were evident in all that he did. Encounters with Tony were never dull – he often had much to say about the current state of education policy and national ICT developments! He knew so many people, and always had something he had just seen that he was keen to share and discuss. I was pathetically grateful for the few times when I could offer something in return, such as introducing him to Ranganathan’s ideas on faceted classification.

Tony appeared to be omnipresent. John and some of his readers will be familiar with my theory that Tony was in fact summoned into existence whenever a critical mass of Scottish education people were present in one place. There is some evidence to support this theory. I have been told that one day when several education meetings were going on at Stirling Management Centre Tony was seen in the reception area making phone calls to try and establish why he was there.

It’s very hard to accept that the next time we all get together Tony is not going to appear.
Ron Rossvoll
January 26th, 2008 @ 12:32 am

I worked with Tony for four years, first on the IVIS project and then on other related ICT development Projects. I experienced many, many ‘damascus’ moments with Tony. He lived his life, both professional and personal with conviction, style and exuberance. Anyone who went for a ‘grubber’ with him will know exactly what I mean – he will be missed but he will not be forgotten.
He did indeed cast a giant shadow – because he was always looking and heading toward the light.
Stuart Robertson
January 26th, 2008 @ 11:49 pm

I could not believe the news when I heard it. Tony always looked and sounded indestructible. When I headed up the Superhighways Task Force in the Scottish Executive Tony worked for me as one of the development officers. Jim Buchan and Sheona McDonald were the other two. Heady times. I can still remember the tears and blood as one NDO meeting after another forged what was to become the advice and policies behind Schools ICT, Broadband and eventually Glow. Tony was never slow to shout someone down if he disagreed with them but there was always truth in what he said and, after discussion it was not unusual to find that we were all in agreement after all. There are many stories I could tell about Tony but one which springs to mind is of a visit by the then Minister of Education, Lord James, to SITC. The Minister watched a CDI which Tony had developed, I think it was about MLPS, Modern Languages in the Primary School, and, after it was finished he turned to go. Tony leapt at him shouting Minister, Minister…. The Minister’s minders looked alarmed, fearing an assassination attempt perhaps but Tony plucked a CD from his pocket and thrust it into the Minister’s pocket shouting (he never spoke quietly) “There you go Minister, you don’t need to look at it, just use it as a beer mat”

I will never forget Tony and the years I worked with him. Despite his at times fearsome appearance, he was all heart. He cared about Scottish Education. What better epitaph.

Rest in peace Tony – Stuart
Laurie O'Donnell
January 26th, 2008 @ 11:56 pm

I still can’t believe the news but it’s great to read all these tributes to Tony. He was a great man, a wonderful friend and of course an internationally renowned educational professional.

I first met Tony in 1985 when I was a student teacher in his class at Moray House. He made a big impression on me then and I count myself very lucky to have worked with him on a number of great projects over the years.

Tony was passionate about absolutely everything he did. He was driven by a desire to make a difference to the life chances of Scotland’s children and young people and without a doubt he succeeded. My world will be a quieter, duller and less interesting place without Tony.
Hilery
January 27th, 2008 @ 2:03 pm

I encountered Tony sporadically and he always made a larger than life impact. He had an endearing habit of remembering exactly who I was, but was content to ascribe various names to me – all beginning with the correct sound.

He bathed people in a huge embrace – always metaphorically, sometimes literally.
What a loss.
Derek Robertson
January 27th, 2008 @ 6:57 pm

Thank you John for such a thoughtful tribute to Tony…it couldn’t have been put any better. I first met Tony when he came to my classroom in Whitfield PS in 1997 and ever since then he has been a great professional colleague/mentor and a great friend. Always delighted to see you, always interested in your work and ideas and always willing to share his professional practice. He had a huge impact and influence on my professional thinking and development and I owe a great to deal to having known and worked with him. As John rightly said, this ‘giant of a man’ will be sorely missed and my thoughts go out to his family at this time.
Tommy Lawson
January 27th, 2008 @ 10:01 pm

Tony…. Where can I start. Well, he’ always been there – Can”t remember Moray House without him. I remember meeting him, must have been mid eighties (yes, I was just a boy), to see the new BBC Multimedia Player that was going to sweep us away in education. Had a disc the size of an old LP and Tony, in his usual style, had already thought through how it should be used in the classroom and a hundred other things that could be done in the future. Twenty years later he was still evangelising over the latest piece of technology that would make such a difference in and around the classroom.
How many times have I been at an exhibition, a conference or even walking past a coffee shop and heard the boom of his voice, “Tom, good to see you.” He shook your hand with an almighty grasp. “I have an idea which will be great in Midlothian Schools.” And, the almighty grasp of a handshake didn”t release until an agreement (or at the very least a nod) had been reached to take the idea forward.
Whilst talking to Tony it would be unusual not to meet someone else. On an exhibition floor, in a two minute conversation with Tony, you would be introduced to half a dozen others in passing. He always had good advice to give and a host of contacts that could help.
There is no doubt that Tony will be missed in Education, not only in Scotland but across the many countries and continents that were touched by his influence. It was a privilege to have known him and worked with him over the years. Our thoughts go to Tony’ family at this difficult time.
Martin Johnston
January 28th, 2008 @ 11:16 am

I worked with Tony for over twenty-one years. He was a larger than life character and is irreplaceable. He will be sorely missed by all his colleagues here at SITC.
Nigel Douglas
January 28th, 2008 @ 12:52 pm

I met Tony just less than two years ago, he was a huge help to me and a great supporter of the Learning Hubs project. He was never scared to say what he felt and I admired him immensely for that. He was also a friend. I had the great pleasure of taking Tony golfing at Muirfield just before he became ill. We had a wonderful day there and one that I will remember with great fondness. It was also the last time I saw him. He will be missed by many.
Andy Pendry
January 28th, 2008 @ 1:19 pm

Tony inspired me at a number of important milestones in my life. His original video disk development in the 80’s opened many eyes to the potential for technology to enhance learning. His wide knowledge and understanding of the learning process showed us that learning must always lead technology. We will miss the wisdom that was sometimes lost in spontaneous and incomprehensible outbursts but was always built on his core belief that we should improve things for Scottish learners. His contribution to our field was massive. As John says, I’ll miss his “towering presence”.
Andrew Watt
January 28th, 2008 @ 1:51 pm

At the start of the 1980s, my school was one of the pilot schools for O Grade Computing – the first certificate Computing course in Scotland. It was at the first meeting of the teachers involved in the pilot that I met this huge man from Dundee – one Tony van der Kuyl. He was so enthusiastic about this new development and also not afraid to tell HMIs where they were going wrong, recounting, as only Tony could, what was happening in his school to illustrate his point! (This often became a family affair as his son was going through school at the time and Tony would take great pride and delight in pointing out “Ma laddie’s already doing ….” ) By the end of that first meeting it was clear we shared many of the same ideas and visions for where education might go, and every time I’ve met Tony since then, his greeting – a warmth combined with enthusiasm and an interest in what you were doing – always made me feel somehow special . Having a conversation with Tony always gave you a boost, inspired you to keep trying to move things forward despite whatever pressures you were under at the time.
His passing will leave a huge gap not just here in Scotland but around the world; I never ceased to be amazed by the number of times when the discussion got round to something that was happening in another country and Tony would say “Oh I know the minister of education there – I’ll drop them an email”
Only an individual of the stature, charisma and warmth of Tony could occupy such a significant place on both the national and international educational stage. I am profoundly grateful to have had the immense privilege of knowing him and in a small way working with him; many I’m sure will write further words more eloquent than mine but the real tribute to Tony is to be found in the classrooms of schools both here in Scotland and around the world and that is what he would want.
Neil Livesey
January 28th, 2008 @ 3:05 pm

I first met Tony in the 1980’s when undertaking my DPSE at Moray House – he was one of my lecturers. Since that time I’ve always been proud to call him one of my friends. His enthusiasm and educational wisdom will be hard to replace. His stature and his vocal exuberance masked a thoughtful and humorous side to his character. I, like Nigel, had the opportunity of partnering him at golf last year and enjoyed every moment of his company. He will be sadly missed by many people and especially his family and friends.
Joe McLuckie
January 28th, 2008 @ 5:41 pm

I can’t remember the 1st time I met Tony. It must have been in the late seventies in a hostelry in Dundee called the Bothy. I remember this larger than life Menzieshill basketball player being at parties, singin his songs and playing his guitar. What a presence. I remember when he was at St Saviour’s High and I was at Linlathen High and our mutual involvement in the Tayside Computing group. I remember him in the Fisherman’s, another Dundee hostelry, bantering away with us old Dundee worthies, giving as good as he got and oh, what a laugh we had.
I remember playing squash with him. He always tanked me.
I remember him in London, at the Natural History Museum, complements of Apple, wining and dining amongst the dinosaurs, being at the same table, enjoying his company. Another dinosaur.
I remember him on the golf course and that monstrous swing. Frightening.
The last thing I remember about Tony, not so long ago, is bumping into him, Marlyn, Chris and his family at Kelvingrove Museum and engaging in the usual banter. Watching him wander round all the exhibits and sharing that sense of wonder with his family. I’m glad I saw that. It’s a fond way to remember him.
Many many of us will have many many fond memories of Tony.
Joe
Alan Wait
January 28th, 2008 @ 7:11 pm

Although I met Tony infrequently over the years, my lasting impression will be of a man with huge charisma, with genuine passion for his work and real professional insight. The comments from others affirm not only the significant contribution he made to the development of ICT in Scottish education, but also what a good friend he was and how much he will be missed.
jim henderson
January 28th, 2008 @ 8:54 pm

The first time I met Tony was at Jordanhill College in 1976. There was a protest and occupation of the college administration buildings for a few weeks over a lack of jobs for graduate teachers.
I remember this big guy with a strange accent handing me a glass of sherry “liberated” from the hospitality cabinet in the Principal’ office. Later that night he went on entertain the whole gathering with a run through of just about every Eagle song. To this day every time I hear the opening lines of Desperado it takes me back to Tony belting it out to that gathering of students.
Over the years I have been very lucky to have worked with Tony on a range of ICT projects. He was passionate, really passionate about using technology to enable learners and had a drive and energy that was formidable. When a new device or technology came on the scene he was always focused on the practical aspects of what it could deliver in the classroom. His knowledge about educational developments in other countries was astonishing. He always had a contact for you to email.
I will miss the telephone calls we had that ranged from discussions on technology innovations, what was wrong with the Celtic FC, books he had read, DVD’ worth watching and all sorts of tales about Scottish education politics. I will also miss him arriving sometimes at 8pm at night having driven the 70 miles from Inverness with a huge carry out curry.
The last time I saw Tony was in October. We went for a walk up Glen Doll to the corrie. It was one of those glorious Scottish autumnal days. He was in good form. We had a great day out. This world will be a whole lot duller without him. At this time my thoughts are with Marilyn, Chris and his family.
Robert Thompson
January 28th, 2008 @ 9:57 pm

Very sad to hear the news of the loss of a very fine man. Tony was a protective and supportive friend when I arrived as a young teacher of Drama at St Saviour’s in 1981.To be taken under his wing was to know the meaning of solidarity and he shared his company and experience in equal measure. Over the years we would bump into each other, usually in railway stations and enjoyed our long held resistance to driving. Tony, I will remember you, Venceremos!
Margret MacPhail
January 28th, 2008 @ 10:24 pm

Tony-so proud to say that I knew him- a huge man in every way – huge energy, huge ideas, huge love of life, love of learning and love of his family.
Since first meeting him in the 70’s when we, as two of the ‘young things’ taught together at St Saviour’s in Dundee, our paths happily, have crossed many times since. Each time has been a memorable experience as the previous contributors have endorsed

I can’t get my head around the fact that he is no longer with us.

Tony, rest in peace big man.

PS John,thank you for this blog, giving us the opportunity to contribute and the wonderful happy picture of Tony.
Terry Burke
January 29th, 2008 @ 6:22 am

I first met Tony while playing with the Menziehill basketball team back in 1984 as an exchange student from the University of Illinois. Tony was one of those people you never forget. His breadth and depth of knowledge was incredible. I’ll never forget talking with Tony on those Sunday bus rides to away games. I have traveled back to Dundee a few times over the years and always enjoyed catching up. It was great to see Tony again in 2003 when he joined Derek, Ralph, Sandy and Sam in Chicago for the US Open golf championship. My deepest sympathies go to Marilyn and Chris. Tony’s loss is felt here in Chicago and we will never forget him.
Fiona McCarthy
January 29th, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

When I was in fifth year at St Saviour’s Tony introduced me to various concepts on O level Computing and when I went on to teacher training encouraged me to teach Computing. He was even supportive when Chris was in the Computing Dept at St Saviour’s and I was teaching there! Whenever I met him at conferences/meetings he was still encouraging and helping me build contacts. He will be sorely missed.
Derek Little
January 29th, 2008 @ 2:36 pm

“Hi Guys – I’m Tony !!!”

When you are in 4th year at school this was not the usual way for a teacher to introduce themselves to you !!
But it was typical of Tony and was to be the beginning of a long and sometimes riotous friendship playing basketball all over Scotland (and abroad !!) and of course the occasional beer and game of golf !!
The world is a sadder place for Tony’s premature passing, as larger than life characters like Tony only come along once in a while (Who else could have got away with having about six 60th Birthday parties !!).
To have been even a small part of his life was a privilege. Marilyn, Chris – you must be extremely proud of Tony and all his achievements and rest assured that he will never be forgotten. You have not only lost a great Husband and Father but your best friend
I know he will be sorely missed by all of the Ferry guys especially myself, Sandy, Ralph and Sam but the memories will never fade
Jim Buchan
January 29th, 2008 @ 5:02 pm

A fitting tribute for a very big man in Scottish Education – thanks John.
I was very saddened to hear the news about Tony’ passing last week. For me it was a great privilege to know him and work with him over a number of years. I first knew him as my lecturer when I studied the DipSE Computer Education at Moray House College or Education (1988-1989). He made a significant impact on me right from the first lecture that he delivered. I recall his forthright delivery which was convincing and authoritative to say the least. He was a leader full of conviction for the goal he established which was to computers and technology used in the classroom for the benefit of learners at all levels. His energy has been testified to in earlier comments and I can only endorse those comments. He was always quick to see the potential of an idea but also back this up with a capacity to deliver the vision!

I will always recall the next time when I met Tony – I was in my first week of employment as a lecturer at the Northern College (December 1989) and Tony walked in and greeted me. He was always interested in what you were doing – on that occasion he said to me that I should “find my own furrow” as opposed to “blindly following others direction” within the Teacher Education community. For me that was good council and I have never forgotten his word of wisdom given to me on that occasion.

We were then members along with Shiona MacDonald (and Stuart Robertson at the helm) of the Scottish Executives Superhighways Task force for a period of about 3 years. We worked as a team to produce ICT training for members of the HMIE and also some publication for Schools and LAs. Meetings of that group were never dull with Tony always putting forward his vision for the groups work. Tony always called a “spade a spade” which lead to very colourful exchanges of view. But that meant that the products of the group were very thoroughly exercised and debated. Tony added value to our work through his vision and tenacity.

During the last year of the task force, we all participated in a series of road shows which were delivered to groups influential staff in every Scottish Local Authority. At the start of this series of visits, Tony was not able to drive (he drove lots of initiatives forward but not a car at that point in time) so we often travelled together, pilot and navigator as it were! I have never known anyone who always knew where to go in whatever town we visited. I can never recall him having to consult a map – I simply followed Tony’ instructions and we always arrived at our destination safely and on time
Towards the end of our time working together Tony passed his driving test and offered to do some driving, so the roles were reversed – in truth Tony then fulfilled both roles!!! It was an interesting experience sitting “side gun” to Tony as he would concentrate on the driving, navigation and at also discussing what ever the current hot topic was in ICT!

For me there are many happy memories and learned lessons which are due to his impact on my professional life.

A friend when talking about Tony’ passing said sadly “What can you say!” to which I replied with a note of respect ” no need to say anything, Tony said it all”. A huge loss to the Scottish Education community and of course his family in particular.

Jim
Alan Clark
January 29th, 2008 @ 9:54 pm

After reading all the tributes to Tony I feel very privileged to have spent the past few years in his company, climbing and walking the hills he so loved. Tony was such a dark horse about what he had accomplished through his work, never looking for adulation or “bummin his engin”.
Tony and I met in the Hap Cafe Bar in 1963 and along with our mutual friends (we came from different ends of Dundee) started to go to the Dundee Folk Club at the Taypark Hotel. Our group became life long friends. We’ve had many wonderful times over the years, most of them involving Tony and his banjo.
In 1964 Tony and I travelled to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels hitchhiking and traveling by train. We were setting the stage for more trips in the following years with the ‘Bread’ crowd. In the 70’s we went our own ways, Tony to university and me into business.
In 1995 our paths came together when I met my future wife Linda. Tony, Marilyn, Linda and I spent great holidays touring his beloved Scotland, visiting Amsterdam and last year a trip to Tuscany.
When Tony and I were climbing we never stopped talking……about everything and anything. The hills will be a quieter place for me from now on.
Tony was the brother I never had.
I will forever miss him
Alan
fernando
January 30th, 2008 @ 12:29 pm

Hi,

I meet Tony once in an europeen project and I remember the great person he was indeed!
Tony will be always in our memories…

the portuguese friends
Chris van der Kuyl
January 30th, 2008 @ 12:33 pm

We have now opened the official site at http://www.vanderkuyl.com .
We have also now made arrangements for the funeral and celebration service. This will be in Dundee at 1300 on Friday 8th February at The Bonar Hall, University of Dundee, Park Place. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/bonar/
There will then be a short burial service at Barnhill Cemetery, 27 Strathmore Street, Barnhill, Dundee at 1430.
Finally we will carry on at the Bonar Hall from around 1500 with a bit of a party in Big T’s honour with lots of good music, drinks and laughter until we run out of steam !!
Directions and details will appear at http://www.vanderkuyl.com

Chris
Graham Jarvis
January 30th, 2008 @ 12:36 pm

I came to know Tony through ITTE and he is a great loss to us, to the world of IT, to education as well as to friends and family.
He was unique and was a great communicator-although as I write that I have to admit, as someone from south of the border, there were times when I felt I needed a translator.
He was a big man in so many ways but NEVER big headed-he had boundless energy but always had time for individuals-and despite his wonderful intellect he never made you feel your point was not valid.
The phrase ‘only the good die young’ has been proved wrong by Tony’s death.
Graham
Joe McLuckie
January 30th, 2008 @ 2:02 pm

John,
All these comments have been a kind of warm spontaneous response. It is a fine tribute to Tony. I’m wondering though, in the fullness of time, if they could be transferred over to the web site that Chris has just told us about .(www.vanderkuyl.com ). I think his family will be touched by the sentiment and affection shown in these messages. I’m also aware, John, that your blog is a kind of ‘work in progress’ blog. Knowing Tony, he would had been really chuffed and touched by all of it, but he would also have wanted both his, yours and our aspirations for the enhancement of Scottish Education to still move forward.
These messages, and I’m sure there will be more, are a fitting epitaph to Tony. And if there is such a place for keeping such an epitaph, then maybe http://www.vanderkuyl.com is it. They’re getting muddled up with other ongoing business in your blog.
I hope I’m not offending anyone.
Ach, I’m taking a leaf out of the big yin’s book — say what you’ve got to say. Make it loud and make it clear. That was Tony. He would have enjoyed the arguement.
Graham Jarvis
January 30th, 2008 @ 2:58 pm

I think Tony would have laughed at my mis-type-but let me put the record straight ‘only the good die young’ has been disproved by Tony’s death. This was so untimely.
Graham (again)
Bill Nisen
February 1st, 2008 @ 7:43 pm

I had the good fortune to meet Tony in the late 80’s during one of my sojourns to Scotland in the early days of OWL. Tony overwhelmed me with his enthusiasm (and that is saying a lot coming from an American) and drive to provide the right tools for learners of all ages. Tony was always ahead of his time, and managed to set the bar just high enough to give us hope that one day we might actually reach it. It is sad to lose someone like Tony. I only wish Scotland had a thousand or so Tonys to spare, then we could start putting the wheels back on the cart on this side of the Atlantic.
Ronnie Mejka
February 2nd, 2008 @ 1:29 am

If you knew Tony, you knew a big man with a big heart and lots of room in it for people who didn’t have much. He always fought for the ‘ordinary’ people, because they needed champions for their cause ( they still do). I was a young man, a newcomer to Dundee, when I first met Tony, he was introduced to me by Eddie Marra (another ‘big’ man for me). It was comforting then to know that people like Tony existed. I used to worry in the early days (60’s) that hardly anybody I knew cared about the things that concerned me. Along comes Eddie (pure gold), Frannie Boag (artistic genius), then of course Tony, they all made me feel OK. I don’t think I ever told any of them that. I liked Tony’s politics, I know that worries some people. He was a socialist, which means he wanted the best for everybody, that’s all! Last time I saw Tony was about six months ago in the railway station at Dundee, he was heading back to Edinburgh. When you spoke to Tony (as I did then in the station) it was like talking to your best mate. He was everybody’s best mate. Tony cared about people. Our world needs people like Tony.
Kev Thompson
February 2nd, 2008 @ 12:54 pm

Stunned to hear of Tony’s untimely departure. What a loss to Scotland and the World. He and I first met doing a teacher training course in Dundee College in 1983/4…along with other worthies on this blog. We only met infrequently since – often at SETT – but I was always greeted like a long lost relative. His wit and enthusiasm will be sadly missed. Thoughts with all the family at this time
colin stewart
February 3rd, 2008 @ 11:03 pm

Dear Marilyn, Chris and Family.
My thoughts are with you all. What a great man who had time for everyone and always took time to attend his friends special occasions. The life and soul of a social gathering, long will i remember him from New Year parties in the 80`s at your House on the Forfar Road to his voice and Guitar playing reverberating around my back garden at my 40th Birthday Party.
Will always remember him singing \”Love the one your with\”
Love and thoughts
Shakey
Stephen Heppell
February 3rd, 2008 @ 11:56 pm

Appropriately enough I heard the shock of Tony’s death whilst in a conference in Canada – by an email from a colleague in Ireland. That is the joined-up, caring, social, close world Tony helped to build. Like Stuart I’d just assumed he was indestructible.

Well, tragically for us all, he wasn’t, but the memories he left, the lives he changed, his indefatigable efforts on behalf of learners – in Scotland, everywhere – are indestructible and will live on in the countless memories that he left us all. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to attend an event without still looking for that confident tall head and booming voice “Eh.. Stephen..!” booming out in greeting before we’d get straight to talking about what needed to be done. And there was much…

Very few of us are privileged to leave a foot print as deeply and as clearly on this world as Tony did. He was in every sense a mighty fulcrum, and changed us all. I only hope Heaven is ready.
Bill Lowrie
February 5th, 2008 @ 9:34 pm

Having moved away from Broughty Ferry for Uni in 1978 and returning only for the usual family rituals, I tend to pick up the news from my folks back home, sometimes good, sometimes not. The news about Tony certainly was not good. I have happy memories of Toni from my time at the Savies, of his encouragement to play basketball (badly), of his wholehearted approach to life and of his encouragement in my initial career as a teacher. I know that it will be of little comfort to the family left behind but, Toni lives on in the legacy of the lives that he has touched and influenced. Please accept my condolences.
jean and lindsay craig
February 5th, 2008 @ 11:58 pm

A great guy, always a laugh. He will be sorely missed by all his friends. Thinking about the family at this sad time. All our love. Jean and Lindsay.
Merlin John
February 13th, 2008 @ 8:19 am

To hear such bad news so late in the day doesn’t lessen in any way its impact or the sadness it brings. Working in ICT in education it can be easy to fall for some of the launches and spins that come your way. But not with people like Tony van der Kuyl there to offer an analysis or opinion.
Tony’s deep passion for life and learning made him the best bullshit meter that anyone like me could wish for – and he was a lot more than that too. He was extremely generous with his insights and it was a pleasure to receive them, always with the honesty and humour that was his trademark. It was effective too, and could bring out those qualities in the people around him, usually accompanied by the sound of laughter.
Tony was a remarkable man with a full character and a big heart, and people like him don’t come along often enough.
John Davitt
February 13th, 2008 @ 10:41 am

I have just heard the sad news – what a loss the big man is to us all who knew and worked with him and of course a thousand times more to the family of whom he was so proud. I had the pleasure of spending four weeks working and travelling in deepest Botswana with Tony. On one occasion we slept in a round hut only to be woken every hour on the hour by a religious group in the next field going walkabout with drums and tambourines! It took a few days to see the funny side but we laughed about it many times since! The booming voice , the incisive grasp of the issues and someone who you could trust to watch your back a long way from home -all in one unique robust package – none of these things are possible to replace. Rest in peace Tony
Geoff Elwood
February 14th, 2008 @ 1:48 am

I heard the sad news way down here in Tasmania! What a great loss! Tony was indeed a great man, and a good friend!
All those education shows and stopover points around the world wont be the same without sharing a pint with Tony!
Dont know of anyone who would think of Tony and not smile!
He will be missed!
Tom Corness (Tam)
February 16th, 2008 @ 11:56 am

John, this is a wonderful site. I’m Tom Corness, Tony and Marlynn’s best man of many years ago; I’ll leave a memorial message on the site that Chris opened if you’d like to read it. Just wanted to say well done. Some marvellous comments.
John Connell
February 16th, 2008 @ 7:42 pm

Tam,
Thank you. I’ve simply been able to provide a conduit for all the wonderful memories and lovely displays of affection for the big man, and it has been an honour to do so.
I will certainly read your own thoughts on the memorial site.
John
Neil Stewart
April 2nd, 2008 @ 9:48 pm

A fitting tribute for a big man – I am afraid that the news is slow in reaching Malawi but I was shocked and saddened none the less by the news of Tony’s passing.
To echo other sentiments, Tony would always stop to spend time and share nuggets of information whenever we met which usually resulted in the birth of a new idea or project and was always accompanied with buckets of enthusiasm.
A big loss to education.