Rob was my big brother - he alway will be. Deb, Nick and I knew him warts and all. His warts were most warty! His all is terrific to recall. He was unique, he was extremely intelligent, sometimes I thought that that extreme intelligence meant he had to drop down a gear or two to communicate with us mere mortals! He was alway good for 13 across on a Monday morning, you know, the one you couldn't get from Saturday's Telegraph crossword. He was complex and had a great sensitivity. I remember him coming to meet Tilly, his youngest niece, for the first time. He 'got' the wonder of new life, particularly in that instance that it was me, his snotty kid-sister who had produced it! Rob in full flight, vaulting over women and children to get away from an imaginary rat in the kitchen at Brow Hill. Rob's arrival at a bad-taste fancy dress party - thunder flashes heralded him and friends absailing over the roof. Rob helped me with my home-work, I always failed to dumb it down and my teachers never bought it! Rob lying on the floor in front of the fire, fiddling with his pipe. Strangely, perversely, after all I am a Cooper, the memory that brings me most comfort is Rob sniffing. God, he was good at that! My family feels broken.

I smile each time I recall Rob explaining the complexities of compound security during a very visceral and practical demonstration of how easy it is to overcome perimeter security. The demonstration was in Eastern Congo and Rob used an amazing contrast of colonial English and British French. I remember him shouting 'come on chaps' as he threw a blanket over razor wire and threw himself on both and encouraged the local guards to step on his back in order to overcome the sharp-spiked perils of South African made razor wire. Brilliant. Rob, you were and always will be the best at combining the essence of England with your own brand of charismatic and sometimes risque humour and you always seemed to make people smile, laugh and learn. God bless your soul, you loveable rogue.

I met Rob in 2006 during a security training and was so taken in with his amazing sense of humour. I will always remember him as the quintessential English gentleman with a pipe in one hand, a drink in the other and a quick wit to regale whoever was around.... I was looking forward to many more occasions to share a drink and be entertained by him but alas... the memories will have to suffice! Deepest condolences to all those who loved him.