I was very privileged to join Roger and Cheeky aboard the 'Lucky Devil' for a couple of weekends during their long Scandi summer sailing journeys in the late 90's, first in Holland and then in Denmark. Wonderful, welcoming hosts on their happy home at sea, and I was so inspired by their contentment with life together - at sea and at home. Roger was a great story teller, his tales were often epic, full of hilarious detours, and always fascinating. He had a world view, he had empathy and he knew so much about so many things. My father, Ken Baker, met Roger professionally many decades ago and they became good friends, as did my mother, Helen, and Cheeky. They were very saddened to have a lost these 2 good friends within a year. Roger and Cheeky welcomed me to their new 'Enys Brook' home when I first moved to the UK, and then in recent years I visited them in Falmouth several times when I was passing through. The last time I visited I fondly recall Roger explaining in detail the history of old sea shanties and playing some ancient sea shanty recordings he had collected. And, in his warm and welcoming style, he served us up a very fine gin cocktail. I will not forget Roger and Cheeky.

I recently learnt of Dr. Roger Browne's death from John Drewett, who forwarded the Concrete Society obituary to me, and to a long list of former colleagues, who have worked under Roger's guidance and inspiration. The flurry of fond and amusing memories provoked by John's message speak for themselves. In my work renovating buildings and structures I am constantly reminded of Roger's developments and innovative approach to the diagnosis and repair of reinforced concrete. His legacy lives on and I'm sure that the ‘deteriologists’ (Roger’s term) that emerged from Taywood Engineering recognise the debt they owe to a great leader and thinker (to paraphrase a comment from Frank Papworth). Richard Palmer

What we are now most missing, are the weekly sunday afternoon phone calls with both. But now they are reunited and can take care of us. Our thoughts will be always with our friends. Christa + Peter

It was a privilege to share several stimulating decades of my life, at work and play, with my enigmatic friend Roger Browne. Coming at a time when the evolution of complex structures and the efficacy of analytical techniques demanded greater understanding of materials, Roger made the field of the life performance of materials in structures his own. His achievements are widely recognised and appropriately have had a lasting impact in the construction field John Smith.

Marlies: Erinnerung an einen liebenswerten guten alten Freund

Roger joined the Museum as a volunteer in October 2001, followed a few months later by Cheeky in February 2002. They were both part of the original volunteer team who welcomed our first visitors in December 2002. Roger’s knowledge of maritime history and sailing has been enthusiastically shared with many visitors, fellow volunteers and staff over the years. He once told me that it gave him a lot of pleasure in life to share his knowledge with our visitors but also that the stories visitors told him were fascinating. I have fond memories of them both, especially enjoying the annual volunteer party – happy days. They have been so very supportive, loyal and committed to the Museum over the many years; it will not be the same without them. From the NMMC team

We came to know Roger and Cheeky through the yacht club and in the maritime Museum in Falmouth. we often raced against each other in Q class at Mylor, with a friendly rivalry to get to the finish line with a good time to win in handicap. We enjoyed their company, tales about their travels and the fun times we had together on yacht club activities and at their home. Anne and Alan Ramsden

What wonderful neighbours Roger and Cheeky were. Spending an occasional morning over coffee, and having a slice (or two) of Cheekys amazing cakes, plus the occasional glass of wine! Colin and myself sitting and listening to the amazing life they led, both travelling and sailing! We shall miss them dreadfully xxx

I was a friend of both Roger and Cheeky for many years here in Cornwall and I will always remember their warm welcome whenever I was invited for morning coffee at their lovely apartment in Falmouth. Cheeky would always bake me a German apple cake which she served with double cream. She knew I loved it, I can taste it even now, wonderful. Roger would tell me stories of his adventures. Great memories and I will miss them both. Keith Collings

Roger and Cheeky were incredibly well loved by all of us in the Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors. They were both founder members back in 2006 (when it was a group of just 6 locals- now 35 strong in 2021) and over the years their contribution to our worldwide reputation and success was immeasurable. Always highly enthusiastic and popular with visitors, Roger loved to guide on the shuttle bus twixt the docks and town. Even in recent years, when he was starting to become less agile and showing signs of weariness after a four hour shift, our pleas of “take a break Roger” were more than often ignored 😄. We will miss them both so much - RIP and God Bless you dear friends

I had been working as a volunteer at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall for a while, when one day I walked into the Volunteers Lounge for my tea break, and a man was talking about his friend in Sweden who was a moose hunter. Being Swedish I said "Moose in Sweden? No, they are elks!" A discussion then followed between me and the man, who was Roger, and there was an exchange of emails, after we both had done some research. The conclusion: elks in Scandinavia, moose in North America (although Roger's Swedish friend still insisted on moose). That's how I got to know Roger, and later Cheeky, and I am so very glad I did. Gunilla

I was very lucky when in 1964 Roger recruited me into the Materials Research Laboratories at Taylor Woodrow, Southall, from Southampton University where I was completing a project on the structural use of plastics. Actually more time was spent at the interview discussing racing Firefly dinghies where we had a common interest rather than plastics technology! Apart from vacation civil engineering work he was my first proper boss and what a great training. He was very enthusiastic about technology and about life in general. He liked to think at depth and did pioneering work work on the performance of concrete in the demanding applications of concrete pressure vessels for the nuclear power industry. Work which contributed to the design and construction of electricity generators which still make a significant contribution to the UK power supplies. At the end of a presentation or report he would say 'So What ?' It was a great way of ensuring that the work people did was relevant. The grounding he gave me was a great help in the marvellous career I then had working in construction materials technology for the international supplier Fosroc. He was also fun to be with, dashing about in his MG sports car. We both by coincidence ended up with flats in Bayswater and one winter's evening decided to commute back to central London on the Grand Union canal which was straddled by our offices. We used a small Avon inflatable dinghy and rather defective Seagull outboard motor I had borrowed. It was freezing cold, took about 6 hours and involved amusing encounters with people on the towpath who were often walking faster than us. My wife Diana and I met up with Roger and Cheeky a few times in Mylor and Falmouth when we were in the area and like I am sure they did to everyone they gave a marvellous welcome. I last saw them in 2019 and I spoke to Roger on the phone early in December and was impressed by the way he appeared to be coping with the tragic deaths of his wife Cheeky and son Frank. Thank you to all his local friends. Laurence McCurrich.

I was volunteering as the NMMC was being built and remember meeting Roger and having discussions as he explained concrete stress engineering related to the construction and piling of the new museum. As a keen sailor we often talked of his voyages to Holland and Scandanavia when we visited Roger and Cheeky at Enys Brook. When he sold the lift keel Parker in which he had undertaken his long distance cruising, we enjoyed the process of debating the pluses and minuses of a smaller boat. Roger enjoyed a bit of racing both as skipper and crew with other people and eventually settled on a lively little Red Fox design with which he had a lot of fun. I remember happy chats with him with pleasure. David Hale

Sue met Roger first crewing under his leadership when sailing on the Welsh Harp in North London. Memorable sailing trips became a constant theme of our friendship with Roger and Cheeki. There were short journeys off the coast in the south and south west of England and longer explorations of different parts of Scandinavia. Roger’s skills in navigation and confidence in handling the boat and the wind were marvellous to behold for a non-sailor. He had a proper respect for the sea, the weather and the winds, but he planned well and we always reached our destination. Seeing an unknown country by boat gives one a particular perspective, and Roger enjoyed the adventures of the exploration enormously. He was a great host onboard, sharing his enthusiasm and energy generously – as, of course, he did in all the settings of his life. He had an outstanding professional career as a leading engineer and an international expert in the problems of concrete. That must have benefitted, I think, from his relaxed, global outlook and his unceasing curiosity about everything around him. He had friends and supportive colleagues in Europe, the Far East and Australia. All of this activity was bolstered by the solid foundation of his long and happy marriage to Cheeki. Their move to Cornwall as retirement approached brought on a new era. They transformed first the house and garden of Enys Brook outside Mylor Bridge and then the large maisonette in Discovery Quay in the heart of Falmouth. This involved many trips to Ikea during their regular visits to our home in London. Brilliant as he was at packing everything in the car, he fell short on one occasion and literally took everything they had bought but the kitchen sink. We stored the sink in our spare room for six months till their next visit. I shall miss so much with Roger’s passing. Even in this last year when he lost both Cheeki and Frank and could feel his own grip on things slipping he has faced life with fortitude and humour. If I respected him hugely before, I learned to respect as much the way he handled grief and loss. Roger rose to many challenges in his life, and he rose to this one too. I am saddened that his model and his comradeship are now lost to us, but they will not be forgotten. Tony Cline 4th January 2021

Having worked for Cheeky and Roger for over 10 years , the stories and wonderful memories are abundant. He was the only person I knew that kept a grass cutting diary whilst living at Enys Brook. Always a great cup of coffee and an informative chat could be had every other Thursday. Latterly every Thursday. I shall miss them both greatly. Reunited once more sweet Browne family. Penny Dunstan xxx

I have fond memories of 12 or so years ago when we would meet up in London for lunch, and Roger & Cheeky's greatest pleasure was when Jeremy had to go back to work. We would then gossip our way through "coffee & kuchen". But of course a tribute wouldn't be complete without a mention of concrete.The 3 of us even went to the Shibboleth exhibition at the Tate.

Roger was always the glamorous uncle who led the sort of life I'd only seen in films. A flat in the middle of London with an intercom on the door provided Jeremy and me with hours of fun. As did the first reel to reel home recorder that we'd ever seen or, at least, were allowed to play with. A beautiful exotic girlfriend. Then a snowy wedding in a moated castle in Germany. It was so overwhelming that the bridesmaid (me) cried throughout the service. Another London pad - this time in Bayswater where more innovations were discovered. Duvets! And a sitting room with huge curved lamps and a raised platform in one corner. Straight out of James Bond. Next there was the beautiful house in Marlow - right on the water's edge, complete with boat. Cheeky and Roger's homes were always stylish, so different from anyone else's, elegant but always homely. He was always happy to share his enthusiasms about engineering and concrete. He was so excited when I expressed a tentative interest in studying Physics at A Level that he spent a day showing me round his (freezing cold) labs at Taylor Woodrow. Roger never quite understood why the visit helped me chose English instead! We were all so proud when he received his award from the Queen (and celebrated in his usual style at the Ritz). And it was such an honour to celebrate his 80th at the Falmouth Maritime Museum - such a fitting venue. An extraordinary uncle who lived life to the full.

To an awe-struck nine year old, Roger was the archtypical trendy uncle: sports-car driving, teller of tall tales, internationally travelled and married to an exotic beauty from Germany. Fifty years on, nothing had changed (other than the sports car). He had a great life. And lived it to the full. We will miss him.

We hope that you find this tribute to Roger a place of comfort, support and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.