Felix Roper (OW 1981)

(21 November 1962 – Sept 2022)

We are grateful to Felix’s brother Simon Roper (OW 1974) for the following obituary:

Felix came to MCS in 1974, overlapping with elder brother, Simon, for one term. He enjoyed school, joined sports teams, and made good friends. Becoming a little unsettled in his teens, he left school at 16 and chose to become a craftsman. He studied at Ryecotewood Furniture Centre and then worked as a carpenter, occasionally making pieces of furniture on commission (including for MCS masters).

Aged 24, he travelled around the world, starting with a solo cycle ride across the US from the East to the West coast. Aided by his mother and the Oxford Mail, Felix found sponsors to raise money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. He kept an hilarious diary of his adventures which came to light on his death. He got through 3 tyres, one chain, one saddle and countless hamburgers before reaching San Francisco, 4350 miles from his starting point. He had raised enough for two dogs – Bill and Sydney.

In his early 30s, as a mature student, Felix studied French and History at Queen Mary University London. A year at the Sorbonne in Paris gave him a lifelong interest and affinity with languages.

Felix toyed with teaching but decided he was better suited to the life of a craftsman. He worked in France and for a charity in francophone West Africa, before settling down in Kidlington where he had two children. Weekends were largely devoted to them, often at a pitch side somewhere in Oxford.

Felix continued to enjoy sport, playing cricket and hockey when he could. As a volunteer, he taught carpentry in various local prisons. Much of his social life was centred in Wolvercote where he had grown up. He enjoyed a beer and various pub sports in the White Hart. Felix was well-loved there and much sought after by pub quiz teams looking to enhance their prospects.

Felix died suddenly on 31 August, aged 59, following an accident at work. He leaves his children, George (14) and Agnes (11).