Dick Empson, a dedicated humanities teacher and long-serving community councillor, has died aged 83. He taught at Sconce Hills school in Newark, Nottinghamshire, for more than 30 years and was a district and parish councillor for many years.
Teaching career and community service
Empson began his teaching career in 1964 at the Dukeries school in Ollerton, the first purpose-built comprehensive school in Nottinghamshire. In 1972, he became head of the humanities department at Sconce Hills school, where he remained until taking early retirement in 2004. After retiring, he worked part-time as a supply teacher, often in special schools, supporting children with additional needs.
Beyond the classroom, Empson served his community as a longtime chair of the local parish council in Edwinstowe and, in the 1980s, was elected a member of Newark and Sherwood district council. He also chaired the board of governors at King Edwin primary school in Edwinstowe, which his three sons attended.
Early life and family
Born in Derby during the second world war, Dick was the second of three children of Bert, who worked in timetabling for British Railways, and Beryl, who managed the tearoom on Derby station. He grew up in the suburb of Littleover with his elder brother Nigel and younger sister Marie.
After teacher training at Bede College in Durham, he joined the Dukeries school, where he met his future wife, also a teacher. They married in 1965 and settled in the village of Edwinstowe. According to his wife, Dick was an avid Guardian reader, and the newspaper remained a part of their daily lives.
Retirement and legacy
In retirement, Empson enjoyed gardening and walking his dog in Sherwood Forest. He and his wife travelled the world on cruise ships, visiting China, the Amazon, the US, Canada, Greenland, and most of Europe.
Dick Empson is survived by his wife, their sons Stephen, Joel, and Ben, and four grandchildren.
