Fr Robert was born in Ingatestone in Essex in 1912 and was educated at St Augustine's Ramsgate and Ampleforth. He received the habit in 1930, made his solemn profession in 1934 and was ordained priest on 21 July 1940. He read Modern Languages at St Benet's Hall in Oxford and did his theology here at Ampleforth. He joined thc full time teaching staff of the school and for 15 years was Senior Master of Modern Languages. He was a gifted teacher who brought professional thoroughness to all his work. His clarity of exposition and insistence on high standards were admirably suited to ovcrcoming many of the obstacles to learning with which a schoolmaster is beset. For many years and in many ways he made a distinguished contribution to the work of the school.
By temperament he was not an optimist and he was inclined to give expression in memorable terms, which often became enshrined in local folklore, to the gloomier side of life. It was the more impressive that this did not diminish his notable generosity and readiness to help wherever he was asked. He assisted with the CCF and throughout his teaching years he was in charge of the theatre, first with Fr James and then with Fr Kevin. He could claim credit for many memorable productions in the theatre.
It was a tribute to Fr Robert's standing in the community and to his ability that Abbot Herbert in November 1954 sent him with Fr Richard Wright to St Louis. The possibility of a foundation there was under consideration and they were sent to investigate and report to the community. Their report provided a strong lead which led to a decision in favour and Fr Robert always retained an affection for and interest in the new foundation in St Louis.
In 1952 he had left teaching to become assistant Procurator to Fr Terence and in 1957 he was appointed Procurator. His abilities were extended further and his gift for administration soon became apparent. He had no easy introduction, for he took over just as the building of the Abbey Church was beginning. The job of Procurator is enough without that sort of thing, but he quickly showed that he was quite equal to dealing with the complexities and taking the responsibility involved. The responsibility was considerable because the contract originally signed was for a very truncated version of the nave alone. Gradually as the building progressed and the appeal succeeded he had to extend the contract step by step and monitor the cash flow as well as the planning and building. Again and again he showed imagination and drive in pushing the work forward; there was no pessimism in his attitude here. He always attributed the successful completion of the Church to the generosity of our benefactors; this was true, but Fr Robert's contribution at many vital turning points was crucial.
In the years after the building of the Church, which had been so taxing for him, Fr Robert began to think and say that he feared he was running out of steam. As the years went on in the sixties the prospect of having to face the next building phase and all the problems arising from the irreparable condition of the Old House daunted him to the extent that he began to suggest that it was time for someone else to take over. Then somehow - and I have no doubt that his life of prayer and dedication had much to do with it - he got a new lease of life and was ready for whatever might come. He remained in office during these critical years and had dealt most competently with the planning and initial stages of the building of the East Wing, Nevill House and the Grange, when he retired from being Procurator in 1972.
As he relinquished the office of Procurator after so formidable an achievement, there was to be no rest for him and retirement is hardly the appropriate word. He immediately took over the direction of the new building appeal. This meant that he had rapidly to learn new skills. He organised the whole operation, travelled the country, quietly rejected the professional advice insistently offered him that the appeal could not raise more than half the money required, and in the end achieved the target which had been set. Having done so he closed the books and from 1977 he settled down again in the Abbey to work as parish priest of Ampleforth Village. It was work he loved among people he knew and valued. It was the first time he had not been in a position of unrelenting pressure. It was a time of mellowing and fulfilment.
He had two happy years as parish priest before he suffered a stroke in 1979. He recovered well but was left with impairment of his speech as the chief legacy of his illness. He overcame the worst of it but his speech remained slow and often the right words would not come. It was a great trial for him, because his speech had always been so precise and his articulation so good. No one read as well as he did in the refectory and his sermons had always been masterpieces of clarity with every word well chosen and every syllable clearly heard by everyone. He did not give in and he showed his strength of character and independence in overcoming his disabilities as far as possible.
For five years he remained patiently and uncomplainingly in the monastery taking part in whatever he could. He was always most welcoming to those who visited him and interested in them and what they were doing, although there was not much he could now do himself. He looked forward to occasional visits to Brandsby to stay with Mrs Lumsden, to whom he was deeply grateful for her kindness. But essentially these were years of inactivity, of patience, of waiting and of prayer. He died suddenly from another stroke on 13 June.
Fr Robert had lived a life in which he had made impressive and far-reaching contributions to the life and work of the community. Many of them were almost unnoticed and well beyond the call of duty. They were achieved at a cost, for he could easily have been dour and negative but his generosity always won through and it was never demonstrative. In temperament he was intensely English and reserved. He was apt to take - or at least express - the gloomy view anticipating folly and expecting catastrophe. He could be forbidding in such moods, but they didn't last. Whatever his professed expectations once a decision was made he responded with the determination and resilience which would have done credit to an optimist. As a community man he was outstanding - always clear, forceful and honest in expressing his opinion, always ready to accept and give his generous support if a decision went against him. His sense of humour made it possible for him to caricature himself, as when once he startled a policeman by asking if he could get him into gaol, where he could be relieved of all worry and responsibility and the constant calls made on a Procurator. He had no interest in sport or physical activity; fresh air and exercise, he said, were unnecessary if you were healthy and dangerous if you were not. What he did enjoy was relaxed conversation with friends and reading. In some ways he was at his best when he put things in writing; there were occasions when to receive a letter from him was a revelation of human warmth, perception and understanding. He was among the wisest of counsellors and there was no doubt where his secret lay; it lay in his fidelity and dedication to his monastic vocation.
DOM FRANCIS ROBERT COVERDALE 25 June 1984
1912 19 May born Ingatstone Essex
1924-30 edc St.Augustine's Ramsgate & Ampleforth College
1930 22 Sept Habit at Ampleforth Abbot Matthews
1931 23 Sept Simple Vows " "
1934 23 Sept Solemn Vows " "
1938 17 Jul Subdeacon Bishop Shine
1939 23 July Deacon " "
1940 21 Jul Priest " "
1933-37 Modern Languages at Oxford St.Benet's Hall
1937-52 Senior Modern Language Master - CCF
1952 Assistant Procurator
1954 Nov Visit to St.Louis USA to investigate possible foundation
1957-72 Procurator
1972-77 Director of the Appeal
1977 Feb PP of St. Benedict's Ampleforth
1979 July Stroke - retired
1984 25 Jun died in night at Ampleforth
1984 28 Jun Buried at Ampleforth