Russell Vroobel

Russell Vroobel (Senior Network Engineer) died on Wednesday 24th March aged 28.

Russell, who lived in Gidea Park with his family, had been playing badminton in Hornchurch when he collapsed and died.

Russell, who attended Royal Liberty School, joined the college as a student in 1998, studying for GNVQ qualifications in IT. He was then employed as an IT Technician in 2001.

Having been at the college as a student for three years and then employed for nine years as he progressed from Technician to Senior Engineer, Russell was a well known and popular member of the IT team. He was always cheerful, helpful and went out of his way to find solutions to problems.

He is going to be missed very much indeed by us all.

Paul Wakeling
Russell made a tremendous contribution to Havering Sixth Form College. He will be missed by everyone and remembered for his humour and dedication. He made a real difference to the college and was much loved both as a student and a member of staff.

Paul Nutter
Russell was the most co-operative colleague and always came to my rescue when the IT was not fully functional. He always maintained his sense of humour and was very patient! He will be missed by us all.

Jim Pey
Russ, when I think of you I think, IT, big, friendly always a smile and helpful, sporty and professional. You came to the college as a student and then became part of the core, with Neil, of our modern IT services team that has grown in response to the IT needs of the college in the 21st C.
We were all stunned by your sudden passing but you will always be alive in our memories. Our thoughts are with your family, and your friends, at this difficult time.

Liz Shepphard
I met Russell when I first joined the college and the first thing I noticed was how friendly he was. He always made time to help others and he will be greatly missed.

John Davis
A genuinely lovely man whose passing has deeply affected us all. I, for one, will miss him.

Andy Acreman
Russell was one of the kindest and most helpful people I have met. I will really miss him a lot.

Mike Barbrook
A man mountain in defence on the football pitch and impossible to lob on the badminton court. A pleasure to have met you mate.

Bill Smith
A young man who seemed to enjoy his short life, will be missed.

Kim Blythe
Always coming to my rescue with IT, patient, kind, funny... I will really miss you Russell.

Gill Mair
Taken far too early but how I will never forget.....your quiet confidence at ‘the dogs’ of choosing big winners....that competitive ‘man thing’ at the 10 pin bowling of never being beaten by a ‘girlie’... and your naff Secret Santa pressies that have become a legend. Goodbye my friend, rest in peace. Gill x

Carol Wall
Always helpful, always happy and very patient with me, I will miss you x

Steve Gilbert
I got to know you quite well and had many conversations. You were very large in life, will take a long time to get used to the idea that you’re not here.

Katrina Shillinglaw
What can I say about Russ? I knew him since he started at the college and he was like a ‘honorary son’. He used to come and chat to us ‘library girls’ laughingly saying he had come for a skive. He was full of fun, irrepressible, full of mischief, but so very helpful to us. I can’t tell you how truly upset I was to hear the news. How much I will miss him.

Julie Adams
What will I miss most about Russ? His patience in sorting out us ‘library girls’ and our many library system problems? His sense of humour and cheeky smile? The chats we had about everything and nothing? The list could go on and on and the answer is that I will miss everything about our ‘Heritage boy’

Margaret Sutherland
It is with great sadness that I am writing about dear Russ. I have known him for many years and have always enjoyed working with him. He was a lovely young guy, always ready to listen and help. He had a great talent, but this was all wrapped up in a gentle, modest shell, which made him so approachable. The sadness I feel is, I know, being felt around college. So many members of staff have dropped by the helpdesk to offer their condolences and have a chat with us about Russ. It is so evident that he was not only highly valued by us, but by anyone who came to know him. He also made us laugh. None of us there at our Christmas meal will forget Marion’s ‘Secret Santa’ gift – and all of us knew who had brought it!
It has been a real privilege to know and work with you Russ and I am really going to miss you. With love Margaret x

David Beesley
Hey Russ, wanted to say you always smiled and said hello in the corridors, we didn’t really know each other, but these things speak volumes.

Liz Beaumont
Russell fixed the printers in Food Technology so many times the students thought he was the department’s personal IT technician. He will be sadly missed.

Rita Boddy
The constant image here of Russ is him passing by the helpdesk saying ‘hello’ always kind natured and helpful. He will be missed so very very much. Words fail but I extend my deepest sympathy to you all.

Sharon Wright
Russ – I don’t know what to say – If you were here I would say I’m glad I met you and thank you for all your help and patience. I’m going to miss you, as are many people – the college will be a poorer place for your loss – Love Sharon xxx

Jacqui Dumbrill
We won’t be selling so many hash browns. Miss you

Karen Magowan
So sad will miss seeing you in the refectory.

Debbie Bragg
Will miss you every day walking past with a smile. So helpful this is so sad.

Elaine Newman
Russell, I will miss the gentle giant around college RIP x

Lorraine Salmon
Such a kind, thoughtful and helpful young man, came to my rescue many a time, will miss your chats in the holidays. So very sad. Lorraine x

Graham Korn
Deepest condolences on such a sad and untimely loss. Russell will be greatly missed.

Carol Strange
You will be greatly missed.

Jacky Hayes
Sending my deepest sympathies to Russell’s family. Russell helped me out so many times over the 10 years i knew him, even fixing my home PC. I will always be grateful to him, he will be sorely missed.

Sue Thorogood
Russell – you always has a smile and such patience for us that ‘don’t do technical’ I am really going to miss you.

Dawn Stanley
Russ – the ‘Happy Techie’ – always had a smile – always helpful – will miss him greatly.

Alison Harris
Always had a smile, always ready to ‘fix a problem’! Always polite and there when help was needed. Will always be missed.

Tracy McCreanor
Russell – glad to have met you. You always had a smile and always ready to help, you will be missed.

John Shaves
Russell I’II always remember with fondness all these games of badminton we played after work.

John Ngwa-Ndifor
Adieu, I will remember the fun times we had in the badminton and the massive help you gave me, particularly with our visual basics problems both in Minster Court and the Library wing! Go in peace.

Andrew Guymer
Russell ‘The Champ’ Vroobel
I have known you now for around 5 years and suppose, during this time we have had some great experiences, bizarre conversations, “Bad –Tennis” championships every summer which you always beat me at. I am going to miss working with you, I am going to miss talking to you. You called yourself champion of champions, and you really were a champion of a person. I’m so sorry your family have suffered this loss, miss you buddy.

Lucien Taylor
Dearest Russell
I still find it hard to believe that you won’t be around to: Help me with IT problems – chat about the fortunes of Arsenal and your beloved Tottenham. I felt bad taking your bet on Tottenham finishing above Arsenal a couple of seasons ago – inflict those crunching tackles when we played football.
Rest in Peace – they say only the good die young – how true!

Samantha Hennessey-Lowther
I will miss you so much Russ. I’m so sad you went so young, you didn’t deserve it. I want to thank you for making HSFC a fun and informative place to work, because you did. I’m going to miss our department’s nights out together. It’s just not going to be the same without you. I’II miss you. Rest in Peace Russ. Love Sam x

Graham Hall
Always friendly and helpful. I’II miss you on the 5-a-side court and especially around college. Graham.

Debbie Venner
Dear Russ, It was such a pleasure watching you grow into the kind, helpful, cheerful gentleman that you were. You were always willing to help me out when things went wrong. We had a lot of laughs together and I will always be grateful that you included  me as part of your team. I will miss you so much. With lots of Love. God Bless. Debbie.

Joanna Creedon
Russell was always a friendly, helpful colleague. Whenever I needed IT support he would readily help me solve the problem. His cheerful, happy personality is missed very much.

Debra Leighton
He will be missed. He was good at his job and a really nice young man. Very easy to talk to.

Tim Saunders
We will miss him, was always friendly and good to know.

Julie Warner
It won’t be the same without you Russell. We’ll miss your friendly smile and willingness to find solutions to our IT problems.

Devina Gillooly
I’ve not known Russell for long, but he was helpful in my first few weeks. May he rest in peace.

Tony Sykes
I taught Russell when he joined us and have watched him develop into a charming and helpful young man. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Sue Gratrix
I just wanted to say what a lovely, helpful and friendly person Russell was, and I will miss him being around college.

Jo Monaghan
Russell installed the online system for Key Skills which works brilliantly. A really helpful guy who will be missed dearly.

Karen Bettis
Russ, didn’t have much dealing with you direct, but you were always cheerful and helpful. You will be sadly missed.

Ann Brown
You came to our rescue so many times in the main office, always with a cheerful smile. It wasn’t your time – we will miss you.

Nikki Phelps
I often had to ask for your help with our technical problems and I always thought you were so friendly and helpful. It is such sad news, the college will miss you.

Janet Chamberlain
The person I always asked for help and always you were there. Your smile and warmth will be sadly missed – God Bless

Karen McMahon
A really lovely guy who was so helpful always – R.I.P

Peter Childs
Will miss you Russ – So young, so sad. See-ya big guy!  R.I.P

Jon Mahy
Will miss that big beaming smile so much a big friendly giant that always made us laugh.
Rest in peace big fella.

Ray Oakley
R.I.P Big guy
My heart is always sad for those so young who pass. Always have a memory of you. Love you BFG xxx

Lisa Barwick
Russ, you were a star, not just for your IT help but also your sport prowess. Thanks for all your help and the laughs. Paula Thompson sends her prayers from Australia. God Bless xxx

Roger Brook
Russ was a gentle giant off the pitch, and a determined player on. I preferred being on his side! Much missed,

Barny Bury
Quick to help, slow to anger (Off the football Pitch!) and always smiling. You have left a massive hole at the college. Already massively missed. R.I.P

Darren Jones
I will miss you Russ, it was a pleasure to know you and play football (Although I wont miss the kicking bit)

Jim Tyler
One of the good guys – you will be missed.

Chris Burley
We’ll miss you Russ. You really were on of the nicest guys I knew.

Theresa Hughes
Russ, we will miss your cheerful smile and happy-go-lucky attitude to life. You were always willing to help. I will miss you – taken far too young. My heart goes out to your family. Theresa xx

Karen Mizen
I will miss you, as you was always the IT tech that welcomed me and helped me
Xx

Tom Porter
Such a shock.  Top man who loved his football on a Friday. You will be sadly missed.

Laura Groves
Russell, you were someone who always had time for others, always keen to help and solve my IT problems. I still can’t believe I won’t see your smiling face around college...gone too soon. God Bless you Russell and your family. Greatly missed...but never forgotten. Rest in Peace.

Lyn and Tony Preddy
Always only to glad to please, your kind and gentle disposition, your easy smile are the fond memories which remain.

Ann Vann
I will really miss you. It was a pleasure to know you and our games of badminton on Wednesdays. You will be missed by so many.

Laura Goates
Cannot believe this has happened. I watched you grow from a ‘lazy’ student, who gave me so much worry, to one of the most popular members of the IT dept. You will be so very missed.

Emma Chumley
You will be sadly missed and never forgotten. Rest in Peace xx

Steve Harrington
So sad to hear the news about Russell. I can understand some of what you are going through, the shock, anger and grief – my brother died suddenly at a similar age. You are in my thoughts. Steve

Jill Wilkens
Russell was always cheerful and helpful. His presence around the college will be missed.

Mark Brogden
Russell was always so warm and welcoming. He’ll be sadly missed. With deepest sympathy.

Sue Bannocks
Russell was a kind and courteous young man and was always willing to help. My thoughts are with you. Sue x

Jennifer Raja
Russell was helping us out with payroll, going out of his way to support us. I’m very saddened and my thoughts go out to you.

Elaine Boyle
Russell, you were always there when I needed you. I shall miss not seeing your smiling face. Sleep peacefully x

Mohammad Akbar
Russell was very nice, polite and friendly person. He was a very good sportsman. He was a good asset for the college.

Marion Adamson
Russ, I feel privileged to have known you. I felt a special bond with you, not only were you my work colleague, but you were a very special friend. You had a great sense of humour and we are all going to miss your games and organising our curry nights. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless. Rest in Peace. Marion x

Graham Francis
Russell, I knew you as a student, who I had the privilege to teach, a technician, who I had the pleasure to seek your support and as a colleague, who I knew provided me and the team with 100% support. But most of all I considered you a friend who would listen and give advice when asked and would give all they could to improving the college. You can never be replaced, your smile will be missed as will your sense of humour. Russell you will never be forgotten. Graham.

Michael Finnegan (Servo)
Great guy and a pleasure working with you, in the short time I knew you. Rest in Peace.

Dan Threadgold
To the Champion of Champions. I’m going to miss our pub shenanigans loads, they were good times. I’m really going to miss you buddy. I’II always toast in your honour when the Jagers come out. Rest in Peace. Dan

Gary Dorsett
R.I.P Russ! I knew you for almost 2 years in the end, without you I wouldn’t have settled in to this job anywhere near as much. I’II miss chatting about football games and everything to you. I’II miss seeing you on my PS3 list... always playing Battlefield Bad Company! I’II miss you buddy, and I’II never forget you.

Neil Siveter
Russ was a great friend. He was always smiling, laughing and joking around. He has left not only a massive void at work, but in my life too.
Russ was a great character; he had many friends at work and will be missed by them all. I was devastated to hear about Russ, I didn’t believe what I heard, I still don’t believe it now! I am going to miss the football, the badminton, the bad tennis all the things we did together. Martin, Sue and Laura should be very proud, they had a wonderful man in their lives, you couldn’t want for a nicer man to know.
Rest in Peace buddy, I’m gonna miss everything about ya!  Neil

Lisa Arnell
Such a kind and gentle man, so very sad. R.I.P  Lisa x