Save You a Seat

July 2026

This is not so much a blog, but sadly an obituary, and a heartfelt tribute and thank you to someone who has contributed to my entire career and most recently, the creation of The Blog from the Back of Beyond from its start.

I lost my amazing Dad, Dr. Geoff Sharpe, on 1st February 2026, following a short illness. He was 88 years old.

Academic with serious hobbies

Dad was always fascinated by nature and living things, studied Zoology and was a PhD. student at Bristol University, before he became a long-term staff member as a Tutor and Lecturer in Natural Sciences at Bristol University Department of Extra Mural Studies for his working life. During his career as a university lecturer, he introduced many to the science of Biology and taught with enthusiasm, undoubtedly inspiring many along the way, including some, now very famous celebrities in the worlds of wildlife and veterinary science.

Alongside this, Dad was also a railway, tram, and classical music enthusiast. When he retired from the University, Mum and Dad moved from the Chew Valley to Devon, and he spent many happy years of his retirement driving trams for Seaton Tramway. He also played a key role in the evolution of Seaton Music through his contribution to the Seaton Music Committee.

Rock

In addition, he was a best friend and absolute rock to so many, throughout his entire lifetime.
Ridiculously clever, a fountain of knowledge and expertise, and always funny.

A life well lived

9 years

piano

mum and dad

wedding

wedding 2

uni

dog

80s

gran

tram

87 sandwich

An inspiration

Dad has been a source of great positive inspiration throughout my life and career. With phenomenal acumen and accuracy, he always contributed feedback to concepts for the Blog from the Back of Beyond and carried out the very final checks. He also contributed some photographs.

Even though I have been a professional writer for over 30 years, I still find it difficult to find adequate words to express the loss, six months on.

So, for this, I will hand over to Alex Warren:

I can hear the words you speak when the west wind whispers
I can hear your voice ring clear in the evergreens
Am I who you thought I’d be? Am I what you pictured?
Did you have me standin’ here in your wildest dreams?

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Just like a memory
You never left me
You just left too soon

I’ll save you a seat next to me
You’re always at the table
Hope you’re proud of what you see
Watchin’ with the angels

You’re written in my soul
It’s your blood that I bleed
Wherever you are, wherever I’ll be
I’ll save you a seat

I feel you in the rain that falls, oh, I still get shivers
Runnin’ like our family car down Corvidae
Did you find Mom up there? Tell me, are you with her?
I wonder if the ones who go miss the ones who stay