Former Staff Obituaries

Mrs. Jean C. B. Bewick 1924 - 2021

Colleague 1981 - 1986

Jean was born in 1924 in West Calder, into a community that was smaller than it is now, and which she described vividly and with great warmth in many anecdotes and memories. The nineteen twenties were not easy years for anyone, but Jean and her older brother Willy had to cope with personal tragedy when they lost their mother when Jean was only two. The pair were very close, supporting each other through a typically strict upbringing, made light of in stories like the one in which Jean would bang away on the piano that Willy was supposed to be practising, to cover for him while he escaped through the window to play football with his pals. Lifelong friendships were forged in West Calder and Jean's abiding interest in people and all their doings was surely shaped by the close-knit community in which she grew up (see more...)

Mr. Robert 'Bob' Nimmo 1932 - 2021

Rector 1977 - 1997

The High School of Dundee was deeply saddened to learn that our former Rector, Robert Nimmo (OBE.,  MA., MEd., FBIM., FRSA), died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday 9th November 2021.

Robert Nimmo (or Bob, as he was known as to his family, friends and colleagues), took up the position of Rector in 1977, a role in which he remained for the following 20 years (see more...)

Mr. David F. Preston 1969 - 2020

Colleague 2007 - 2020

The High School of Dundee was stunned and saddened by the death of teacher Dave Preston, very suddenly at home on 31st July 2020.

Dave joined the school in 2007, initially teaching Graphic Communication and then Technology, Engineering Science and latterly also Physics. (see more...)

Mr. James Cunningham 1946 - 2019

Colleague 1984 - 2003

James, or Jim as he was affectionately known as to his friends, colleagues and family, was born in Ayrshire in 1946. His family moved to Arbroath in 1957 where he attended Arbroath High School, going on to study Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College from 1965 - 1969.

He worked for an advertising agency in Glasgow but decided that life as a commercial artist wasn't for him and made up his mind to go in for the noble profession of teaching. (see more...)

Mrs. Gail Murray (née Jamieson) 1937 – 2019

Colleague 1971 - 1997

Gail passed away on 25th November 2019, in her 83rd year, at Seaton Grove Care Home in Arbroath after a long illness, bravely borne. Educated at Morgan Academy in Dundee, Gail graduated from Dundee College of Education in 1957. (see more...)

Mr. David P. MacDonald 1931 - 2019

Colleague 1969 - 1992

On Friday 18th October 2019, David (or Dave as he was affectionately known as to friends and family) passed away peacefully at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, aged 89.

At the close of session 1991/92, David retired from the High School of Dundee after 23 years of loyal and active service - 18 of these years as Head Master of Art and Design. (see more...)

Mr. James Smart 1925 - 2017

Colleague 1954 - 2000

James passed away peacefully on 27 May 2017, aged 92. He was a former Dundee High School Head of Chemistry, Senior Master, and Scottish Examination Board Principal Examiner of Chemistry.

Born in Carnoustie, in March 1925, James was educated at Arbroath Academy, and later, the University of St. Andrews (see more...)