Dedicated former principal dies at 71
The former principal of a Wolverhampton college who dedicated his life to education has died in his sleep at the age of 71.
Ivor Wymer, also known by his middle name Keith, was principal of Bilston Community College, now Wolverhampton College, for almost 30 years before retiring in 1999. He suffered a heart attack at his holiday home in Wales on May 12.
Norfolk-born Mr Wymer moved to Sheffield fours years ago to be closer to his four children and grandchildren. He lived with his second wife Peta, aged 61.
His son Phil, 42, who works with students at Sheffield College, said today: "He wrote about education and going out into the community, access for all.
"At one point Bilston College was the biggest in the country, with 50,000 enrolled. He loved sport and betting on anything. He liked lots of football teams and would come and watch the youth team I run every week. He also liked gardening.
"He was always there and would be around to help you. He had a very dry sense of humour. His glass was always half-full – he was very positive and quiet. He would always pop round to see the grandchildren."
Mr Wymer said his father was still active and got his own paper every day. "He also got into the internet and had a blog about what the Government should do," he added. "He was an impressive bloke." Phil has a brother – Patrick, 41, and sisters Natasha, 29, and Colette, 27.
The father of four continued: "He loved working at the college and was part of a team. He was one of the first to go to South Africa with the college football team. He had a vision and a dream about education and he made it into a reality with the work he did at the college. Work was such an important part of his life."
Earl Laird, director of the Faculty of Health, Hospitality and Leisure at the college, said: "Keith's innovative educational projects were not only recognised in the UK but were replicated abroad in countries such as South Africa, Russia, the Caribbean and the USA, and he was well-respected by education professionals in those countries.
"I remember that Keith was passionate about sport, particularly football, and believed that by inspiring people through sporting activity, it could bring them back into learning – and it worked."
His funeral will be at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium in Sheffield on Friday.
