I. W. Weston

Dr Ivan Wingate Weston (C.A.C. Staff, 1928-1960), universally known among Old Students as "Bucky", retired during the year and with his wife and infant son has since gone to England for at least a year. The origin of the term of endearment, "Bucky" is obscure; he himself thinks it had something to do with the occasions in earlier years when he used to come to the College on a decrepit horse; before he retired he came in a Daimler. Whether or not he had any real skill in horsemanship aside, he naturally was the Troop leader of No. 1 Troop, Independent Mounted Rifles in which some of the College staff served during the last war and never was there such a band of free-booters and democratic brigands as that particular troop whose fire-power was negligible but whose patriotic fervour was Immense.

Born in the Wairarapa, secondary education at New Plymouth B.H.S. where he was Dux, he then studied at Victoria University College, Wellington until 1916 when he left for France as a member of the N.Z. Cycle Corps, and in action was decorated with the Military Medal.

Back in New Zealand he worked on an uncle's farm in the Wairarapa and at the same time as an external student kept up his university studies, completing his bachelor's degree. Later he advanced to the masterate with first-class honours ln economics and then working under Farmers' Union and Government Research Scholarships he studied for his doctorate, which he gained in 1928.

When he returns to reside on his 80 acre farm at Lincoln he will continue to be a warmly welcomed visitor to the College. After 32 years on the staff he has been durable, distinctive in personality and outlook, a participant in all phases of College life from rugby coach to teacher and those of the future who will not know him deserve sympathy for the Joss in College experience which will be theirs.

1992 Alumni News : I. W. Weston

Obituary