Rex attended Bradfield College from 1943-48. He spoke of happy days cycling around the unspoilt countryside that surrounded the school and forming lifelong friendships. Excelling at Maths and Art, Rex accepted a scholarship to study at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College, London. On graduating, he worked in London for several dynamic architectural practices which sent him on pioneering trips to Chile, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Lebanon. In 1964, he set up his own practice.
He married Kathleen (Kay) Cook in 1957 and they had three daughters. Rex designed and built a Modernist home for the family in Shoreham, Kent. Tragedy struck in 1977 when Rex and Kay lost their eldest daughter Fiona. Rex spent many years travelling, working on overseas projects, particularly in the Arabian Gulf. By 1977 his partnership decided to open an office in Doha, Qatar, and Rex was to run it. With the support of Kay, he spent five very interesting years there. In the late 1970s, Doha was a small, desert town on the edge of the sea with a tiny ex-pat community. Rex loved the design opportunities Doha gave him; he built the National Theatre and the Doha Club, amongst many other iconic buildings.
Another five years followed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he directed the building of The King Fahd International Stadium. He and Kay travelled extensively, exploring India and the Far East. They drove back overland twice from both Doha and Riyadh: challenging adventures!
With ancestors who painted and engraved for a living, Rex himself was a wonderful watercolourist. He could have exhibited, but chose, in his typical modest way, to just keep painting and built up a huge portfolio of pictures, covering his travels and the local Kent countryside. When he and Kay returned to Kent in 1987, they lived in the house he had designed. Rex threw himself back into village life, sitting on various building and conservation committees. He continued to practise as an architect well into his 80s, and to travel. He also trained as a Blue Badge Guide for the region.
He loved his Bradfield reunions, supporting many events throughout the years; a special memory was taking his grandsons to the Greek Play.
He leaves behind Kay, daughters Nicola and Kathryn and six adored grandchildren. He was a man of great integrity and kindness, and a gentleman. A true Bradfieldian.
