I first met my friend Robin Evans, who has died aged 70, aged eight at the English school in Oslo, Norway.

Later we met again as boarders at Warwick School where he was sent aged 11, together with his elder brothers Nigel and Martyn. Although as a child he suffered from bronchitis he was very active in the sports and social life of the school.

He was born in Jamaica to John, a captain in the British Army, and Connie. His early years were characterised by the itinerant life of a military family, which resulted in him arriving at Warwick in 1965.

He graduated from the University of Reading in 1975 with a degree in estate management. His early roles were as a land agent for the National Trust and chief executive of the Landmark Trust. Then, in 1995, he was appointed palaces director at Historic Royal Palaces who manage the five unoccupied Royal Palaces in London including the Tower of London and Hampton Court.

In 1999 he joined British Waterways as commercial director and from 2002 to 2013 was chief executive. He once told me that he considered his greatest work achievement was steering British Waterways from management within the Environment Agency to a charity; the Canal and River Trust. This effectively allowed the canal network and infrastructure to raise its own capital, safeguard it against decline and unlock public support in the same way as the National Trust has for historic buildings

At Reading, Robin met Hilary and they married in 1978. They were always a strong and loving partnership and together they had three children, Mark, Christopher and Hannah. They settled in Prestwood in Buckinghamshire where the family participated in village society and activities.

Despite his career success, Robin wore that success lightly. He retired in 2013 aged just 59 and enjoyed a happy retirement, concentrating on his family, travelling, walking and tending to his beautiful garden.

Robin died on 23 August 2024 as a result of his lifelong chest problems which he never let slow him down or prevent him from enjoying life. He is survived by Hilary, their children plus currently four grandchildren, as well as Nigel and Martyn.

His funeral is on 9th September at Milton Chapel, Amersham Crematorium at 11.30am.