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I am so sorry to hear the news about Colin. I worked with Colin and David Billis (another voluntary sector giant, also very sadly recently deceased) between 1995 to the early 2000s at the Centre for Voluntary Organisation at the LSE, on the organisation of housing associations. I also met with them for a while at the Galileo meetings.  Colin was, as many have said, so engaged and keen to support and discuss with others. He also wrote extremely well and David would often give him work to edit. They were great friends and colleagues and there was much mutual respect.  Colin really got stuck into everything he did - whether it was voluntary sector research, cricket, his jazz band, or socialising. I remember that he was usually given the task of ordering the wine for the LSE CVO events and he used to swear by Hardy’s Cabernet Sauvignon which has since been my favourite Cab Sav … Just like Colin, it’s good quality, reliable and unpretentious.
The number of initiatives that Colin took on and his commitment to them, is quite incredible. His passing is a huge loss to the sector, to his colleagues and friends and he is very much missed. Sending love to Meta and his family xx

Alison Ewart

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Thank you Colin
I first met Colin at a ARVAC conference in the late 1990s and later got to know him through our membership of ARVACs organising committee . He was , for me, as he has been for so many a real inspiration and trusted ‘go to ‘ person whose intellect and integrity shone through. We were in touch in August about a book he and Meta were working on. I hope it is finished as a memory to his work, values and commitment.

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Colin was a wonderful colleague, friend and mentor. He was always incredibly generous with his time, insights, wisdom and support. We enjoyed many happy hours of discussion over long lunches together, often mulling over recent or future shared research endeavours and interests.  Colin contributed so much to the field of voluntary action studies, both through his research and writing, but also through all the energy he put in to the various networks he helped establish and organise and all that he did to support, whilst also gently challenging, others involved. We are all the richer for having known and worked alongside him.  I miss him dearly.

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I, like many, only knew Colin through VSSN. I found him, thoughtful, kind and very good company. My thoughts are with Meta and the family.
Peter Maple

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Colin was a great guy to be with, work with. Calm, kind, considerate and thoughtful. A great teacher, mentor.  Memories…..1992 on a train back from Manchester Training and Enterprise Council and getting to grips with their bemusement over these ‘mickey mouse charities,’ addressing over a hundred Crossroads Care Organisers, who were on the front line of the new contract culture (fierce but it went well!),  being courted over a very very nice four hour lunch at the Cadbury Foundation, playing cricket in the garden tests at Croxted Road, hearing the band, and Colin’s clarinet, at local pubs, and one time at the International Vol. Sec.  Scholars bash at the London School of Economics. It was there  Colin, Justin (Davis Smith) and I got happily caught up in the bar with an Australian scholar on the efficacy of volunteer fire fighters, and an American scholar on volunteering and goats (there is a paper!). Famously Colin gifted the sector’s nomenclature with  a  truly ‘ loose and baggy monster. ‘  Colin had a  fantastic intellect, and he brought new ways of thinking about voluntary action, always based on solid dogged research. (As you might say Colin, ‘bleeding obvious!’)  Colin we have not only our fond memories, but your work out there.  God Bless you Colin. Love to Catherine.

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I first met Colin in 1964 when he was introduced to the family as my sister Irene’s fiance. Colin and Irene met at university in Exeter and were married from our family home in Paignton in Devon.

Although Colin and Irene lived in London, we had a close family relationship, especially after Catherine, their daughter and my niece, was born.

During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s we had a number of joint family holidays together in the Scilly Isles and France. Colin and Irene were very generous in their support for these holidays, and other help, at a time when we couldn’t even think of doing such a thing.

Over later years contact varied with the ups and downs of our separate family lives but we would get together for meet ups and key events, such as Catherine’s 18th birthday and later marriage to Robin and Irene and Colin’s joint 65th birthday. A tradition that continued at Colin’s 70th and 80th birthdays.

Colin was very supportive of my sister Irene's career throughout their 42 years of married life, as he detailed in her obituary in the Guardian.

Colin was a trailblazer for many of us in the family. Together with Irene he showed us that it was possible for people from a working class background to get a degree, to go on to be a lecturer in higher education, a tutor organiser for the WEA, a Principal and warden of Cambridge House and Talbot settlements, and then into research, consultancy and teaching. Without his example, members of the family would not have known such careers were possible.

Colin was also a trailblazer for us all in his taste and knowledge of good beer, wine, food, and in earlier years for those that indulged in this direction, pipe tobacco and the odd cigar.

Colin will be greatly missed by all of us from the Goss family.

Vera

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I met Colin soon after coming to the UK and doing a masters in voluntary sector organisation. Colin was the most supportive, encouraging, friendly and knowledgeable colleague and he helped to build my confidence in the field as well as to remind me that one could be ambitious and kind, collaborative and rigorous and all the while holding on to a strong ethical/moral framework. There was never a dull moment in conversations with Colin over lunch or drinks and I will greatly miss how much fun he could bring to any project. I learned so much from Colin and I am so grateful to have known him and for the numerous gifts he bestowed to us all.
Kim Donahue

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I first met Colin back in about 2003 in my first proper job working at IVR when I believe he was part of the advisory board, and certainly took a keen interest in our research. The main way I got to know him however was through our work to relaunch VAHS in 2005 after a period of stagnation, and I remember many years of fruitful discussions at seminars, workshops, other outings and the convivial conferences at which the band was usually able to play. He was always supportive about my own research and once said some very kind things about my writing after reading a paper, which meant a lot as an early career researcher. Later I helped secure the preservation of the Cambridge House archives at Southwark archives which I know he really valued. I enjoyed seeing him again for a last VAHS conference in Liverpool in 2022.

My condolences to Meta and his family.

Georgina Brewis

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Colin was a remarkable man in many ways; a quietly-spoken, ale-supping, cricket-loving, cat-doting jazz aficionado with a penchant for gloriously bright shirts, he possessed a fierce intellect and deep-rooted principles. I’m proud to have sat behind him playing drums for Home Brew in the beer garden at The Railway Bell on many a sunny/shady/squally afternoon. Colin frequently persuaded legendary landlord Dave to guest on vocals and his unique and somewhat anarchic channelling of Frank Sinatra would leave the musicians shaken and the audience stirred. Truly memorable and, of course, unrepeatable days; thank you Colin.

Adam Jones

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Colin was my tutor at the LSE a good while ago now.  He was thoughtful, kind, funny and very supportive.  He made a big difference both to me personally and my subsequent career in the NFP sector but also to the wider sector and our thinking.  What a great fella he was.  Christine F

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I first met Colin properly in 2012 when I joined IVR during a time of a transition and he was a member of the advisory group. As well as the intellectual challenge he brought to that role, he was always very supportive personally and generous with his time.

I was a great admirer of his work. Many of his ideas culminated in Rediscovering Voluntary Action. A key text I was still recommending to students at UCL when lecturing on volunteering in January, and I will continue to do so.

The last contact I had with Colin was just before Christmas about a potential article on a particular research method. As ever he was generous with his time.

Thanks for everything Colin,

Andy Curtis

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Yes, I worked with Colin on voluntary activities, like so many. but what I really remember is his musical generosity. He gave me my first chance to perform with his band, Home Brew, aptly named, at the wonderful Railway Bell, his local pub. Many years of fun, learning from him, arguing with him (no, we couldn't do 3/4 time - it just wasn't swing jazz), drinking too much, playing in the rain and the sun. Great years. and a lovely sound he made on his clarinet - despite that freezing xmas gig when the clarinet was really too cold to play - his enthusiasm and insistence that we would continue to play, against all odds, was redoubtable. I can hear the clarinet still. Thank you Colin.

Penny

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Shocking. I have known Colin since his Cambridge House days in the late 70s, characterised by his calm, competent and effective leadership. Once both freelance, we worked closely together on a number of action research and other projects, through which we became friends as well as colleagues.

When, in 2006, Penny Waterhouse and I decided that someone should call time on the dwindling independence and co-option of the voluntary sector, Colin was the first person we turned to. He signed up immediately to what became the Coalition for Independent Action and stuck with it through the entire 10 years of this struggle. His contribution was immense, as thinker, planner, writer, commentator and comrade.

His summation of the issues involved - in Rediscovering Voluntary Action; The Beat of  a Different Drum - nailed the implications not only for voluntary action, but also for the role of dissent in civil society and democracy itself. It is an important and enduring piece of work.

It is both strange and upsetting to confront the loss of someone I have known and respected for so long. My thoughts go to Meta and to his family.

Andy Benson

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Colin, thank you for your support, guidance and friendship over these past years. You have had a profound and lasting impact on my life and I am truly grateful for having met you. I will remember our chats about the voluntary sector over an Abbot or three with great fondness. Thank you for everything. Louis

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I was so sorry to hear about the loss of our dear Colin. Colin had a special place in my heart.  He was one of the first people I met when I moved in the UK in my early 20s to do my MSc in Voluntary Action at Roehampton. Since day one he has been so influential and pivotal not only in my academic education and experience but also in my exploration of politics, ethics and ideologies of the sector and beyond. He was always very kind, supportive and very patient, always taking the time and finding ways to explain things to me with rigour and humour, whether that was the effect of Thatcherism in the voluntary sector or the difference between ale and lager beer. I am so grateful I had him as a Teacher and as a friend.
Sofia Angidou

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Colin preceeded me as chair of Bassac, way way back when he was at Cambridge House They were big shoes to fill but he was such a kind and wise counsellor and coach. Never judgemental but always constructive and generous. Passionate about the work, serious about its purpose but never pompous, and always with a twinkle.
David Robinson

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Colin was a lovely, kind and wise person who was generous in his support and great fun to work with. He helped me a great deal during his time at Roehampton when I was at NCVO setting up the Working For A Charity online course in Effective Voluntary Sector Management. I have fond memories of Colin and he will be greatly missed. One of life's good guys.
Elaine Smethurst

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Colin had a great ability to bring people together. Through him I encountered many people involved in researching the third sector I might not otherwise have met and learned a great deal. His energy, enthusiasm and kindness will be much missed.
Tom Davies.

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Colin was very special. A scholar, activist and warrior. Without him third sector research (and research-in-action) would be a back water. His contribution cannot be over estimated. And he was fun and great  for dancing to at Conferences.

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Colin was very special. A scholar, activist and warrior. Without him third sector research (and research-in-action) would be a back water. His contribution cannot be over estimated. And he was fun and great  for dancing to at Conferences.

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I am so sorry to hear of Colin's passing. Colin was a great researcher, made important contributions to volunteering research and was so supportive of others' research. He will be much missed both professionally and personally. Kirsten Holmes

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I am so sorry to hear of Colin's passing. Colin was a great researcher, made important contributions to volunteering research and was so supportive of others' research. He will be much missed both professionally and personally. Kirsten Holmes

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About 20 years ago Colin accepted my MSc application to join the Voluntary Action group at Roehampton. This act of kindness and possibly curiosity on his behalf (my application was certainly not good enough) has been one of the most life defining moments. It defined the rest of my career, my decision to permanently settle in this country, it shaped much of my politics and values that I was exploring as a young adult, and it still defines my activism and well-being.

After a year of studying with him, followed two decades of invitations to seminars, welcoming us to his home and family, joining the board of ARVAC, various sessions of the band, and of course long meandering discussions over pints of proper beer.

As many others, I feel lucky to have met him. To have called him a friend and a true teacher. His legacy has no boundaries - like our voluntary action.

Anastasia Mihailidou

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I will miss Colin.  I learned so much from working with him - not least that good work could be done in a convivial atmosphere, without fuss or drama. May his legacy live on in our sector.

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I will miss Colin.  I learned so much from working with him - not least that good work could be done in a convivial atmosphere, without fuss or drama. May his legacy live on in our sector.

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So sorry to hear of Colin's passing - it seems like only yesterday we were eating dinner in London with Eddy and Meta after a VAHS seminar. He was always kind and good-humoured, with a twinkle in his eye. Despite being a talented and dedicated researcher, he didn't take life too seriously. We could all learn a few lessons from him. Rest in peace Colin.

Triona Fitton

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Colin was a true giant of our field and a great friend and colleague to so many in the voluntary sector and academic community. His work on volunteering, community groups and the history of the sector, was foundational and will be drawn upon for years to come. I remember with particular fondness long lunches with Colin and Rodney Hedley while we hatched plans for what would become the Voluntary Action History Society, just one of his many legacies. He will be greatly missed. Justin Davis Smith

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Colin was a true giant of our field and a great friend and colleague to so many in the voluntary sector and academic community. His work on volunteering, community groups and the history of the sector, was foundational and will be drawn upon for years to come. I remember with particular fondness long lunches with Colin and Rodney Hedley while we hatched plans for what would become the Voluntary Action History Society, just one of his many legacies. He will be greatly missed. Justin Davis Smith

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Colin was my tutor on the MSc in Voluntary Sector Organisation in 1997.  I couldn't have got through the course without him.  He persuaded me to give it a bit longer when I was struggling in my first term.  But much more than that he became a friend when I joined the Galileo group and I will greatly miss the chats over wine and pizza, which were full of wisdom, humour and intellect.  He will be sorely missed. Caroline Cooke

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Colin was a great researcher,writer and historian He was true to his values and remained a great asset to the voluntary sector
It was a great honour to have known him
Sir Stuart Etherington

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I had the pleasure of meeting Colin at the VAHS Conference last year.  His knowledge, enthusiasm and passion to promote understanding of the voluntary action movement was immediately obvious.  I will not forget the warm and encouraging welcome I received from Colin and Meta to the VAHS family - nor will I forget Colin's fine jazz band.  He will be sorely missed.
Mandy Barrie

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So sad to hear the news of Colin's death. He was a central figure in the voluntary sector academic community for many years, and a key member of VSSN, as well as other academic and practitioner communities. That he remained active in these worlds long after his formal retirement from academic posts speaks to his commitment and his continuing ability to contribute to debate and to action. As many others have said - he will surely be missed.

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So sad to hear the news of Colin's death. He was a central figure in the voluntary sector academic community for many years, and a key member of VSSN, as well as other academic and practitioner communities. That he remained active in these worlds long after his formal retirement from academic posts speaks to his commitment and his continuing ability to contribute to debate and to action. As many others have said - he will surely be missed.

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Pete Alcock

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I am so sorry at the loss of Colin Rochester. He has been a much-valued fellow-traveller along the research and practice journey of voluntary action over the last few decades. He brought an unfailing personal commitment, integrity and insight to our work, constantly reminding us of the fundamental values of voluntary action, and leaves an important legacy through his writing and teaching. His wide knowledge and understanding of its history, characters and organisations was always an irreplaceable delight. He was a loyal, kind and courteous friend, who also shared a sense of fun and love of jazz through many convivial sessions at his local ‘Railway Bell’ and elsewhere in South London, meeting places for Colin’s long-standing friends. We will all miss him. Cathy Pharoah

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Colin was a wonderful person and scholar.  I first met him in the early 90s at an NCVO event.  In the ensuing years, I was always impressed with his deep and abiding commitment to high-quality research and teaching on the voluntary sector and improving practice.  He was a generous and supportive colleague who made enduring and important contributions to the field of voluntary sector studies.
Steven Rathgeb Smith

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Colin was a truly lovely, thoughtful and kind man who will be deeply missed by so many. I  first met him when he taught on the MSc in Voluntary Sector Organisation at LSE back in 1999, and feel incredibly lucky to have stayed in his orbit for writing projects, Voluntary Action History seminars and conferences, and latterly as a colleague at the Kent Centre for Philanthropy where he was a valued Honorary Associate. Every conversation with Colin threw up gems of wisdom and insight and it's hard to believe he's no longer with us in person. But his contribution is enduring, the memories of his intellectual and musical talent live on, and the encouragement he gave to so many of us will not be forgotten.

Beth Breeze

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I'm grateful to Colin for the encouragement he gave me as a doctoral student at LSE. He always had an insightful question or two up his sleeve. His interest in the history of the sector made me feel at home as did his commitment to academic excellence and excellent practice. With sadness and gratitude. Helen Cameron

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I was very sorry to hear this news.  Colin was such fun, welcoming and encouraging people, linking them up with others, convivial, full of humour, curious and questioning.  What a great person; we’ll miss him. John Mc Loughlin

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I had the honour and pleasure of knowing and working with Colin during my time at Volunteering England. I have nothing but warm memories of his intelligence, insights, and warmth. I was so sad to read if his passing.

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Colin was a lovely person and i personally found him an inspiration . I valued  his commitment to the voluntary sector and in particular  to aspects of encouraging interest in the history of the sector.  He will be greatly missed by all and my thoughts go out to his family.   May he long be remembered and fondly so.

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Colin was a lovely person and i personally found him an inspiration . I valued  his commitment to the voluntary sector and in particular  to aspects of encouraging interest in the history of the sector.  He will be greatly missed by all and my thoughts go out to his family.   May he long be remembered and fondly so.

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Alex Murdock

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I only met Colin a couple of years ago when I joined VAHS and attended meetings at Bloomsbry. He was always welcoming and had a great sense of humour. We shared our experiences of small urban vountary community groups and love of jazz - he was a more traditional jazz player and me more modern. But for live gigs ceasing due to Covid I would have attended his regular pub gig at Crystal Palace but I bet they were were fun!
Lovely to have known you Colin. Mel Wright

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I was sorry to hear of Colin's passing. I only met him last Summer during the last VAHS conference and to know him as an excellent researcher, mentor and musician.
My condolences to Meta, their relatives, friends and colleagues.
Wendy Wiertz

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So very sad to hear of Colin’s passing. He contributed is so many ways to furthering understanding of the voluntary sector, as a researcher, a practitioner, a teacher and as a skilled organiser and facilitator. He was a lovely man and will be deeply missed. His legacy will live on for many years.

Chris Cornforth

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I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Colin Rochester. As a former member of the Centre for Voluntary Organisation at LSE and lecturer in the MA on Voluntary Sector Organisation, Colin touched the lives of many students and colleagues, including mine. His dedication to the field and passion for teaching were truly inspiring, and his wisdom and guidance will be greatly missed.

While we mourn the loss of Colin, let us also celebrate his life and the legacy he leaves behind. His contributions to the field of voluntary sector organization were significant and will continue to benefit many for years to come.

Mario Aquino Alves

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I was very sad to hear about Colin's passing. He was a wonderful scholar and lovely human being.   I learned a great deal from him and enjoyed our discussions about voluntary action. He will be missed by many. Armine Ishkanian

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I was very sad to hear about Colin's passing. He was a wonderful scholar and lovely human being.   I learned a great deal from him and enjoyed our discussions about voluntary action. He will be missed by many. Armine Ishkanian

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Very sad to hear of the passing of my colleague Colin. He was in the first cohort of sector practitioners who studied on the MA in Voluntary Sector Organisation which David Billis and I set up at Brunel University in the early 1980s. He later joined us at the Centre for Voluntary Organisation at the LSE where he used his excellent writing skills and infectious enthusiasm to edit a Working Papers series, to supervise Masters students, and drive forward the Centre's development. He was a true 'pracademic' who will be much missed by both scholars and practitioners of the third sector. Margaret Harris.

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I am so sorry to hear this sad news about Colin.  I got to know Colin as a former Committee member of the VAHS and enjoyed his insights and benefitted from his experience on the Committee. His Jazz performances were always a highlight of the VAHS conferences. He will be much missed but his contribution to the success of VAHS will be an essential component of his legacy to the promotion of and research into voluntary action history.  Cait Beaumont 

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I am so sorry to hear this sad news about Colin.  I got to know Colin as a former Committee member of the VAHS and enjoyed his insights and benefitted from his experience on the Committee. His Jazz performances were always a highlight of the VAHS conferences. He will be much missed but his contribution to the success of VAHS will be an essential component of his legacy to the promotion of and research into voluntary action history.  Cait Beaumont 

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Sincere and treasured memories of Colin from VAHS and especially when working with the National Coalition for Independent Action. He was one of the few in academia who fully understood what NCIA was trying to achieve. It's so rare to find the combination of hard earned practical experience and academic expertise which he represented. His "Rediscovering Voluntary Action: The Beat of a Different Drum" so vididly represented all of this. So many of us have lost a valued and esteemed colleague and a good friend.  

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Sincere and treasured memories of Colin from VAHS and especially when working with the National Coalition for Independent Action. He was one of the few in academia who fully understood what NCIA was trying to achieve. It's so rare to find the combination of hard earned practical experience and academic expertise which he represented. His "Rediscovering Voluntary Action: The Beat of a Different Drum" so vididly represented all of this. So many of us have lost a valued and esteemed colleague and a good friend.  

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Colin was a tremendous scholar and a lovely man, who always gave me the time of day. Dancing to his Jazz band at the VAHS conference in 2010 was a particular highlight! He will be much missed. 

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Colin was a tremendous scholar and a lovely man, who always gave me the time of day. Dancing to his Jazz band at the VAHS conference in 2010 was a particular highlight! He will be much missed. 

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Meeting Colin sparked many inspirations for me.  First when finding my feet in in community research and action - and in ARVAC's early days! He showed me ways to be active, stand up for people and principles, and be able to think and say "the opposite" when strong ideas and values were and are needed. And all the while being a true and kindly friend, whatever the crises we had to face, while knowing how to enjoy good life and living. A special friend and colleague, who leaves us a wonderful and lasting legacy
Fiona Poland

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I think I first met Colin in 2004 when I became a visiting research fellow at Roehampton University, where he was Director of the Centre for Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Management. In the nearly 20 years since then we became good friends. We loved discussing difficult questions over lunch with a beer or a bottle of wine. I most treasure the memory of him often saying "nothing good will come of it" and us doing whatever 'it' was anyway because we believed it to be the right thing to do. 

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I think I first met Colin in 2004 when I became a visiting research fellow at Roehampton University, where he was Director of the Centre for Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Management. In the nearly 20 years since then we became good friends. We loved discussing difficult questions over lunch with a beer or a bottle of wine. I most treasure the memory of him often saying "nothing good will come of it" and us doing whatever 'it' was anyway because we believed it to be the right thing to do. 