Former Reading Mayor Bob Green Dies

A respected former Mayor of Reading died suddenly yesterday at the age of 72. Bob Green served on Reading Borough Council for 13 years and was leader of the Liberal Democrat party when he stood down in May 2008. He served Reading as mayor in 2000-01 and on Berkshire County Council for three years until its abolition in 1998.

Mr Green, who lived in Caversham, had been suffering from prostate cancer but it is thought his sudden death in his sleep in the early hours may have been from a heart attack or a stroke.

Current leader Kirsten Bayes led tributes this morning. She called him her "mentor" and "a fine public servant", adding: "Bob was devoted to Reading and its people. He had a very sharp mind and good command of the details, matched with a very good heart."

Labour Council leader Jo Lovelock added: "Bob was hugely respected by councillors, officers of the Council and all who worked with him. He often cut through the political rhetoric to bring common sense and intelligence to many issues, and even when he was making a point strongly he always did it in a way that was polite."

Tory leader Andrew Cumpsty, who often pointed to Mr Green as the ideal councillor and public servant, said: "I am very saddened to hear the news and my heart goes out to Jill and his family. Bob was in every way a true public servant and the way that he performed all his public roles is an example for all those in the public eye and to those who aspire to serve the public. He was always helpful, canny and put service to our town first and foremost in all his time on the council. We will miss him greatly."


He leaves a wife Jill, and daughter Laura. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

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