Obituary: Robin John Bunn

The late Robin Bunn

Robin John Bunn, a long-standing member of the dispensing optics profession and a much-loved community optician, passed away on 9 December 2025 surrounded by his family.

Born in Victoria, London, in 1947 to George and Robina Bunn, Robin was the eldest of four children. He attended Buckingham Gate Secondary Modern School, growing up in post-war Victoria, London. He later served in the Naval Reserves as an able seaman while training at the Royal College of Optics in London.

Robin qualified as a dispensing optician – joining ABDO and becoming a member of the dispensing optics community – on 14 September 1965, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the profession.

Following qualification, Robin joined the well-known optical group Dollond & Aitchison (D&A), where he progressed to manage his practice. In 1977, he left to run a family optician business in Kilburn, where he met his future wife, Anne.

After marrying in 1979, Robin and Anne settled in Woodmansterne, Surrey, where they made their family home and raised their three children – Olivia, George and Freddie.

Robin eventually went on to strike out on his own, opening RJ Bunn Opticians in Stanford-le-Hope alongside his colleague and friend Harry Cole.

As Barrie Linton later remembered, “Him and Harry were a great team”, adding that Robin “rode into the shop every day from Surrey”.  The practice ran successfully for 27 years at 10 King Street and became a cornerstone of the local community.

For many years before starting a family, Robin travelled by motorbike from Surrey to Stanford-le-Hope six days a week, a remarkable commute undertaken in all conditions and a reflection of his dedication to his patients and practice. He retired in 2007 at the age of 60 after nearly four decades in dispensing optics.

The Stanford-le-Hope community responded warmly and in great number to the news of Robin’s passing, sharing memories that reflected both his professionalism and his kindness.

Robin served in the Naval Reserves whilst studying in London

Robin was widely remembered for his personal approach to patient care, always greeting people by name and taking time to listen.

Linda Gwynn wrote that he had “always the personal touch and he knew you all by name”, while Tina Hill described him as “so helpful and pleasant”. Many patients remained with him for decades; Jo Herbert recalled him as “my optician from when I was about four till my 20s”.

The warmth of his character was equally reflected in the many tributes shared. David West described him as a “lovely man”, Delia Gouseti as a “lovely, lovely gentleman”. and Pauline Lowe as “such a lovely and very knowledgeable man”. Rita Brett spoke for many when she shared how upset she was when his shop closed after years as her optician.

His helpfulness extended beyond the practice and continued in retirement. It was a regular occurrence for schoolteachers, friends and neighbours to pass spectacles to Robin to be adjusted or mended.

Beyond optics, Robin had a lifelong love of naval history, trains, gardening and DIY, even returning to college after retirement to refine his practical skills.

Robin’s strong sense of family shaped his life. Following the early loss of his mother, he became a primary carer to his younger siblings, a role remembered fondly by his sister Elizabeth, who described him as “the kindest big brother”. He was deeply proud of his family’s naval and postal heritage, and later became a keen petitioner for recognition of his father’s Arctic Convoy service.

As a father and grandfather, Robin was devoted and supportive, always present and dependable. The arrival of his granddaughter Ada in 2018 brought him immense joy, and he cherished the time they spent together reading, learning and sharing traditions passed down through generations.

Robin’s life reflected quiet dedication to his profession, to his patients, and above all to his family. He is survived by his wife Anne and their children Olivia, George and Freddie.

His contribution to dispensing optics and the Stanford-le-Hope community will be remembered with warmth and affection.

The Bunn family would like to place on record their thanks to both Stanford-le-Hope and the dispensing optics community for all their kind support to our father over many years.