An Aberdeen pensioner who was killed in a horrific road crash has been described as a “loving family man” with a passion for sports.
Robert Thomson, 87, died on Friday following a two car collision on the A96 Aberdeen to Inverurie road close to the Tyrebagger junction.
A 61-year-old woman was also taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.
Mr Thomson, who was known as Bob to his friends and family, was a keen sportsman, with a love of golf, football and particularly table tennis, which he played for many years with his brother Jim and son, Robert.
He also worked as a Stevedore for 40 years with P&O Ferries.
In a statement released by Police Scotland yesterday, his family paid tribute to a man who achieved many things throughout his life, starting out as a “prominent” junior football player with Balgownie and Sunnybank FC.
“He was also a founder member of Triangle Table Tennis Club, and latterly joined the Evergreens Table Tennis Group at Aberdeen Sports Village,” they said.
“He was a lifelong member of the Victoria/ Northern Golf Club, and was a caravan owner at Ballater for many years.
“He was a devoted husband of 64 years to the late Ethel Thomson, and a loving family man.”
Last night Douglas Sinclair, who played table tennis with Mr Thomson for decades, paid tribute to his old friend.
The 77-year-old said: “He was really top notch, a super bloke, it’s really a tragic end.
“For a long time Bob was one of the biggest players in Aberdeen, and one of the greatest sportsmen I had ever met. He played well into his later years when he joined the Evergreens down at the sports village.
“His team, the Triangles, they ruled the roost in the city for many, many years.
“He was very pleasant to speak to and very sportsmanlike, he took every victory and defeat the same, although to be fair he wasn’t defeated very often.
“It’s a really tragic end to a true top notcher. Bob was certainly a superb bloke.”