Dick Empson, a dedicated humanities teacher who taught at Sconce Hills school in Newark, Nottinghamshire, for more than three decades, has died at the age of 83. He also served his community as a district and parish councillor for many years.
Teaching career
Dick began his teaching career in 1964 at the Dukeries school in Ollerton, the first purpose-built comprehensive school in Nottinghamshire. In 1972, he became head of the humanities department at Sconce Hills school in Newark, where he remained until taking early retirement in 2004. After retiring, he worked part-time as a supply teacher, often in special schools, supporting children with additional needs.
Early life and family
The second of three children, Dick was born in Derby during the second world war to Bert, a timetabling worker for British Railways, and Beryl, who managed the tearoom on Derby station. He grew up in the suburb of Littleover with his elder brother Nigel and younger sister Marie. After teacher training at Bede College in Durham, he joined the Dukeries school, where he met his future wife, also a teacher. They married in 1965 and settled in the village of Edwinstowe.
Community service
Dick was a longtime chair of the local parish council in Edwinstowe, and in the 1980s he was elected as a member of Newark and Sherwood district council. He also served as chair of governors at King Edwin primary school in Edwinstowe, which his three sons attended.
Retirement and legacy
In retirement, Dick enjoyed gardening and walking his dog in Sherwood Forest. He and his wife traveled the world on cruise ships, visiting China, the Amazon, the US, Canada, Greenland, and much of Europe. Dick is survived by his wife, their sons Stephen, Joel, and Ben, and four grandchildren.
