Sudden death of popular Fife teacher

Alan Robertson, teacher at Waid who died suddenly. Husband of Councillor Susan Leslie

Alan, husband of Fife councillor Susan Leslie, latterly taught at Waid Academy in Anstruther and in 2010 led the school’s first World Challenge trip to India.

He was also well known for his role working with the Voice trade union where, as well as serving for four years as chairman of the organisation’s Scottish executive, he represented the union at a number of national negotiations on teachers’ pay and conditions with the Scottish Government.

Born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Alan grew up in Cumbernauld and attended Glasgow College studying maths and physics before transferring to Moray House to become a teacher of craft, design and technology.

He qualified in 1982 and began his teaching career at Lenzie Academy before moving into pupil support roles.

He moved to Fife in 2002 and briefly left teaching to work with ex-offenders, helping them into employment, education or training.

He returned to teaching in Dundee before moving to Waid Academy where he quickly integrated into the school and local community.

Alan was a keen sportsman and latterly was a member of Kirkcaldy Golf Club. He also steadfastly supported wife Susan in her political career.

Callum Leslie, Alan’s stepson, said: “To all those who knew him Alan was a larger than life figure, wise and loyal with an overwhelming sense of justice and fairness that he was all too happy to stand up for.”

His funeral will take place at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Wednesday (February 3).