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Adam Rothapel, who died after he was struck by a Jubilee line Tube train last Wednesday |
Tragic death of school governor shocks community
FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a school governor and a private secretary to a government minister after his sudden death at Finchley Road Tube station.
Adam Rothapel, 32, from Minton Mews in West Hampstead, died after he was struck by a northbound Jubilee line train last Wednesday morning.
It is thought that no commuters were near him at the time of the tragedy. As a matter of course an inquest into his death was launched by the St Pancras Coroner, Dr Andrew Reid on Thursday.
In line with the Jewish faith, which recommends a burial as soon as possible, Mr Rothapel was buried on Sunday at a ceremony in Newcastle, where he grew up. He had recently become a governor at Hampstead School in Westbere Road, West Hampstead, and was due to be married later this summer.
In an online page of tribute called Adam Rothapel Will Be Remembered, friends and family have been paying tribute to his love of Newcastle football club, his warm and witty personality, and his dedication to others.
A eulogy read out at his funeral celebrated his love of history and politics.
Mr Rothapel’s boss, Bridget Prentice MP, the Justice Minister, yesterday (Wednesday) described him as “a true public servant with a strong sense of justice”.
Mr Rothapel had been working a shorter week in recent months due to illness. He was due to marry his Australian partner Samantha Baden in August.
Hampstead school governor Ed Fordham said the school and neighbours were left shocked when they heard the news.
Mr Fordham said: “Adam was a really good governor. He hadn’t served very long but spoke up at his first ever meeting, pretty vocally. He was a really positive influence and had loads of ideas about what could help kids.
“He was particularly concerned about kids who might otherwise struggle or need extra support.”
He added: “He was very bright and able. You could sense his intelligence – a brain the size of a planet.”
Mrs Prentice told the New Journal: “Adam was a fantastic, fun, clever person who gave me the most sound advice and who I will miss terribly. He was a true public servant with a strong sense of justice and a fabulous sense of humour. We will all miss him very much.”
Friend Nigel Green called him “a true gent” who was “intelligent, witty, warm, smart and funny,” while James Brown said his unique, eccentric character meant people remembered him 15 years later after just one meeting.
On his final blog on Twitter under the name Rothapela, referring to his deceased father Gerry Rothapel, he said: “Family trees – about to uncover mystery of my father’s side of the family.”
In lieu of flowers, his mother Hilary Rothapel and his fiancée have asked friends to donate money to the charities the National Association for Mental Health and the National Association for Crohns & Colitis. |
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