David Grossel, a much-loved former member of the Common Room, passed away this week following a period of illness.

David joined Hampton in 2011 and worked at the School until his retirement in 2016. Prior to this, he had worked as a teacher of history and as a senior manager at a number of London day schools including University College School,Hampstead, City of London School (where he was acting headmaster for a year) and King’s College School, Wimbledon.

Passionate about both education and history, David was a wonderful teacher and colleague whose knowledge and empathy were enormously appreciated by all who came into contact with him.

Despite being a serious historian who wrote perceptively about his subject, David was able to wear his intellect with an admirable lightness and this, combined with his warmth and dry wit, will have made their mark on the many students who benefitted from his wisdom across his 40-year career.

Away from the classroom David took enormous pleasure from the time he spent on his allotment; on Saturdays, he could regularly be found in the Hammersmith End at Fulham Football Club and he greatly enjoyed watching cricket at the Oval. David was a polymath in the truest sense of the word: as happy to talk about the changing face of South West London as he was the Holy Roman Empire. He was always engaging, always perceptive and someone whose opinion was highly valued by those who sought it. Unassuming and never gregarious, David was a loyal and wise friend.  We shall all miss him greatly and our thoughts at this time are with his wife Lucy and his daughters Rosie and Eleanor.

David’s funeral will be held at 11.30am on Tuesday 29th May at North East Surrey Crematorium SM4 4NU. Family flowers only. Donations to St Raphael’s Hospice and Marie Curie c/o Frederick W Paine 020 8946 1974

If you have any memories or messages that you would like to be passed on to his family, please email: RememberingMrGrossel@hamptonschool.org.uk

 

 

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