John Rouse: academic, activist, friend
August 23, 2022, 4:11 pm , by Richard Lutz
My good friend and former neighbour John Rouse, who has died aged 75, was a man who loved a good opportunity. And he made generous use of this trait, continually working for a wide range of groups trying to make his community and his world a better place.
After retiring as professor and Dean of Faculty at Birmingham City University, John became treasurer of The Eve Brook Scholarship Fund for a decade, and then held senior voluntary positions with The Moseley Park and Pool, the Moseley in Bloom organisation, the Moseley Society as well being an active member of the local Labour Party. In Shropshire, he was finance director of The Wenlock Poetry Festival.
It was a far cry from the Kent farmlands where he grew up. And, maybe because of this upbringing, he always kept a keen nose for the outdoors and the world of the natural environment. When he wasn’t getting to grips with an immaculate bed of border plants, he was ready for a walk. And until declining health and the pandemic took its joint toll, John was part of a loose confederation who tried once a week to leave the city and head for The Cotswolds, Warwickshire, the Malverns, the Wyre Forest or his beloved Wenlock Edge. His last big walk was successfully hiking with Janis and friends across northern England on the 200 mile Coast to Coast Route.
“Untouched by weather….”
But whether it was clambering up The Pennines or ambling by a canal, there was one thing for sure: John was inarguably the most dapper hillwalker in England. While most of us ended a route encrusted in British mud, John, whether in the latest Helly Henson body warmer or pair of North Face gaitors, was untouched by the weather.
He’d be as immaculate as if just completing a gortex fashion catwalk while we were reduced to mudcaked bundles of soiled laundry. How did John do that? How did he remain so…elegant…amid the Midland’s testy weather? It truly amazed us as we kicked off boots cemented in red clay (though John’s boots remained obviously greased and unscathed).
John also loved the movies, especially The Godfather series. And recently, when thinking of his passing earlier this month, I heard an intriguing line from a gangster film. Al Pacino says a man dies twice. Once when you take your final breath, and then again the last time someone says your name. It’s not original. Banksy said it. So did Ernest Hemingway. And so did the ancient Egyptians. But if it’s true, then it’s easy to say that my friend John will be around for quite some time.
*John leaves his wife Janis, their children George and Edie and granddaughter Ella.
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Roger Shannon
The ever elegant John.
David Rendall
I would add that he was not just dapper on his walks, he was always full of energy and interesting conversation. We will all miss his warmth and sense of humour. He will be fondly remembered by many for years to come.
Anna Williams
I love the depiction of John as the worlds most stylish hill walker. It brought a tear to my eye – I liked John a lot! Xx
Steph Gaunt
it is a v sad time for all John’s friends. He was very brave and consistently positive throughout his illness. We will all miss him so much.
Neil Grant
John was indeed warm and elegant, but above all he was an unrelentingly good man whose friendship was something to treasure. We will miss him enormously.
Tom Lutz
a nice image of a dapper John striding the countryside
Neil Rami
I knew John both professionally and as a neighbour. He was a good man. He and Janis very generous to us when we moved onto Chantry. A big loss.
MML
Lovely man
Tom Cullen
He sounds like a triumphant man.
Angela Cooper
I think John would also have had a smile and a chuckle at the references to his sartorial style.
Alan Holland
A dear friend, neighbour until recently and one of the most loved and urbane men in our neighbourhood for the decades he lived near us,
John Rouse fought cancer and poor health for a long time. He and Janis, who cared for him magnificently, were neighbours for 30+years. Raising Edie and George whilst pursuing successful careers themselves. Devoted parents and grandparents they were universally liked. John had a wicked sense of humour. Without side, he held true to his ideals but never disparaged his friends who took another position. I will miss him.
He was a smashing bloke and we are poorer for his loss.
Jerry Marsden
Such sad news about John. A lovely man.
BK from Bhm
Yes, he was a stylist with substance.
Sue McC
Fond memories
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