Geoff Bluckert obituary

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/mar/01/geoff-bluckert-obituary

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My friend and former colleague Geoff Bluckert, who has died of cancer aged 68, was a dedicated public servant who provided counsel to many people in his local community and beyond. He had boundless energy, enthusiasm, and a can-do attitude tempered by wisdom and insight gained from his engagement with people at a very personal level.

Geoff was born in West Hartlepool, son of Edna (nee Davis) and Alfred, and went to Archbishop Holgate’s grammar school in York until he was 16. His career in the National Health Service began with auditing work at York hospital. He then worked at St James’s hospital, Leeds until 1969, when he moved south with his new wife, Helen Carson, an occupational therapist.

During this period he worked in administrative roles at Newmarket, Addenbrooke’s and Peterborough general hospitals and was awarded the Institute of Hospital Administrators professional qualification. In 1975 he was appointed as administrator at the West Norwich hospital and in 1978 gained an Open University BA degree after studying in the evenings.

Promotion followed, and during the 1980s and 90s he played a key role in the planning and development of acute services as a senior manager based at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. Following the opening of the new University hospital, he was appointed patient services operations manager. His former colleagues describe him as a loyal ally, wanting the best for patient services, and a source of invaluable advice.

After retirement in 2010, Geoff supported the hospital’s League of Friends fundraising, was elected as chair of his local parish council and treasurer and later chair of the Octagon Unitarian Chapel, Norwich. His many interests included DIY and gardening, and supporting Norwich City, and he was a connoisseur of real ales and the wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. He travelled extensively, especially in France and New Zealand, but also had a deep love for Norfolk and Norwich – his adopted home. Recently, as his mother became more frail, he spent an increasing amount of time travelling to York to visit her.

He is survived by Helen and their children, Sarah and Phillip; by Edna; and by Peter, his brother.