Wife’s tribute to Ian ‘Daddy’ Coull, former Aberdeen Journals chief engineer

By Lindsay Bruce

July 21 2022, 5:00 pm

Ian Coull and his wife, Glenda Coull.

Golfer, charity fundraiser, friend, husband and former Aberdeen Journals stalwart Ian Coull has died aged 80.

The well-known and respected former chief engineer worked the newspaper presses for 47 years and helped the company transition to colour printing.

Early years

Ian William George Coull was born in Aberdeen on April 7, 1942.

He was one of two sons for William, a merchant sea captain, and Lilas Coull.

Ian attended Aberdeen Grammar, and then did an apprenticeship and City and Guilds qualification with a company called Henderson’s when he left. This training in heavy machine engineering would set him up for a career he loved for almost the next five decades.

Press man

Ian took a job in the newspaper industry working for Aberdeen Journals as part of the print production team. A new passion, it did mean the had time on his hands during the day, with most of his shifts being carried out in the evenings and into the night.

Worried he might need something to keep his focus his mother bought him a set of golf clubs. Passion number two was born.

Ian took a job in the newspaper industry working for Aberdeen Journals as an engineer, working on the presses on the night shift. He became passionate about his new role.

His mother was concerned that as a young man he would be bored during the day, however, so she bought him a set of golf clubs. Passion number two – his love of golf – was born.

A young Ian Coull on the left, in his early days at Aberdeen Journals.

Ian worked for the Journals for 47 years. He retired in 1997 as chief engineer overseeing the print operations.

However, within just a month of leaving he was asked to come back. Major works and machinery upgrades to the printing presses could not be done without him. What started as a short-term arrangement extended to five years with Ian as project manager.

Ian Coull, far left with his work colleagues at an Aberdeen Journals golf day.

Damian Bates, former editor of the Press and Journal, paid tribute to Ian.

He said: “I knew him both in and out of work and admired him tremendously for his fabulous sense of humour and good grace. He was a fantastic presence, a giant and a true gentlemen in every sense of the word: ubiquitously known as ‘Daddy Coull’.”

Friendship to marriage

In 1973 Ian met Glenda Hogarth.

Arriving in the North east just as Aberdeen was becoming an oil and gas hotspot, the pair struck up a friendship.

“I came up for work as an accountant and ended up working alongside Ian’s mum. He and I were chums for almost 18 years.

“But it was when I became ill in 1987 and he looked after me that our relationship changed,” Glenda explained.

Later that year when Ian had to go on a business trip to Jamaica, Glenda went along to help with her recovery.

Ian proposed on that trip and they wed on July 10, 1987.

Ian with his wife Glenda and her mum, during her visit to the Palace.

It remained one of his life’s highlights accompanying his wife to Buckingham Palace as she was presented to the Queen for services to industry.

Love of travel

Ian and his wife loved to travel together. Fortunately for Ian all the golf hot spots he picked Glenda also liked. The couple enjoyed trips to Spain, the USA, the Caribbean, and the Middle and Far East.

They also loved to winter abroad.

For the last 15 years they left their Aberdonian lives behind in favour of warmer climes in Hua Hin, Thailand, from January until May.

Golf and charity work

Throughout his life Ian was a member of several golf clubs including Cruden Bay, Murcar, Royal Aberdeen, Gleneagles, Loch Lomond and Peterculter.

He was also a member of DOGS – the Down ‘Ole Golf Society – largely made up of ex-oil industry golfers who play monthly at various golf courses.
His wit and wisdom earned him a welcome despite a difference in career from his fellow members.

However, his love of golf also led to charitable pursuits.

Former footballer Jimmy Hill with Ian during a SPARKS charity golf day.

One notable feat was the organisation of the SPARKS charity’s Pro-Cel-Am at Deeside and later Peterculter golf clubs which he did for over 25 years.
The annual competition earned hundreds of thousands of pounds during the time Ian oversaw it.

He also assisted with the annual Grampian-Houston Golf event which sponsored upcoming junior players to spend a year in Texas honing their skills.

Weel kent loon

Ian also had a reputation for knowing – or having a connection with – people wherever he went.

Doug Grimes, a friend, said: “Ian had refined and developed that into an art form – it wasn’t six degrees of separation with him, it was only one or two.

“There was not a golf club, café, golf shop, pub or restaurant that he went into without knowing at least one person. And this is true even outwith these shores.”

Ian Coull playing the sport he loved the most, in his younger years.

During a holiday to Barbados he knew the head pro golfer, Greg Scofield, who he befriended years earlier at Gleneagles. In Dubai when attending a Scottish Enterprise dinner, Ian found himself sitting next to an old chum from the Grammar.

And while enjoying golf at the Emirates Gold club he was invited to play with Jackie Stewart and his wife Helen.

“Now that’s what I call a weel kent loon fae this toon!”

Ian Coull with professional golfer Paul Lawrie, presenting Ian with an award in recognition of his charity work.

Ian’s best friend Larry Heidt said: “My fondest memories will be the times we shared on golf courses all over the world, and the many times we shook hands and reluctantly paid bets both won and lost to each other.”

Adding, “I’m grateful to have been a part of Ian’s life and to have those memories to cherish.”