On Monday we will be paying our last respects to long time member of our band and others, Robin Sudfeldt.

Robin started his career in pipe bands in 1950 at the tender age of 8yrs. He joined up with the Hawke’s Bay Scottish Pipe Band and started having lessons with Gordon McArthur. After a year he shifted away with his parents and it was not until much later, 8yrs in fact, that he joined up with the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Hawke’s Bay Regiment, he was now in the Territorial Army, under the guidance of the late Jack Seton. This lasted for 2-3yrs and he was on the move again to join up with the City of Rotorua as well as the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Hauraki Regiment. This didn’t last long and he was off to join the City of Upper Hutt Pipe Band where he stayed on for around 10yrs spending 8 of those as Drum Major. While in the Wellington area he also had a short stint with the City Of Wellington No 2 and the Pipe and Drums of Wellington City. From there it was back to the City of Hastings for a year, then Waipawa and Districts, but he soon found his way back to the City of Upper Hutt and also The Band of the 7th Battalion Royal NZ Infantry Regt. Then in 1991 he was on the move once again this time back to the Bay. Here he joined up with the City of Napier No 2 as Drum Major progressing through to become DM of the No l band. It was not long after that Robin was to follow his friends to the newly formed Drones & Sticks PB for a few years before once again moving, this time to Auckland where he played with the City of Manukau and other bands.

What we all remember is his great enjoyment of pipe bands, his friendly nature and his sense of humour. He was generous with his time and resources and had a lot of time for the youngsters in the band, making sure when we were away on trips that they were safe and looked after.

We will miss Robin.