Obituary: John Downie Herd

John Downie Herd, who died tragically and suddenly on 15th November 2002, was a solicitor typical of his time – a man of unquestioned integrity and trustworthiness, for whom the interests of his clients were paramount and to whom the tyrannies of chargeable hours and time recording were anathema.  He was widely respected in the legal profession and beyond as a man of his word.  As the Very Rev. Sandy McDonald said at the funeral service, if John said he would do something, John did it.

Born within the boundaries of the Burgh of Paisley, he was throughout his life proud of his entitlement to be called a Buddy and apart from a period in early childhood he lived in the town all his days.

He was educated at Paisley Grammar School and Glasgow University where he graduated Bachelor of Law, returning to Paisley following a Glasgow apprenticeship, to join the oldest firm in town (dating from 1829), D.S. & W. Semple.  He became a partner there with Wilfrid Semple, who by the time I met him in 1969 was about 82 and still practising in his own idiosyncratic and somewhat distinctive way, to say the least, sometimes to John’s concern.

My first acquaintance with John was a phone call in that year offering me a position as a qualified assistant in the firm, at a salary considerably more than the rate in the Fiscal Service which had been my intended destination.  I accepted on the recommendation of a senior practitioner in the town, who told me John was well thought of and as straight as a die.  That proved an accurate if understated opinion and the association which followed lasted on a professional basis for the next 22 years, as partners first in Semple’s after the death of Wilfred Semple and then in the amalgamated firm of McFadyen & Semple, with John latterly a consultant.  We parted in business only upon my appointment as a sheriff in 1991, but remained friends always.  John stayed with the firm as consultant until his death.

D. S. & W. Semple was closely involved with Paisley Building Society, and John took an interest in such affairs, joining the board and following the society as board member through its various transitions via Edinburgh and Paisley to Dunfermline, where he became vice chairman in 1998 and chairman in 2001.

When he became a consultant, it was to allow him to concentrate on the running of Scottish Prudential Investment Association as managing director, and to pursue his other property interests.  He also served on the boards of many other companies where his acumen and knowledge were invaluable, and in later years chaired the Regional Panel of the Prince’s Business Trust.

Much of his effort in recent times was directed to the Accord Hospice in Paisley, of which he was latterly chairman and under his guidance the facilities and services provided by the hospice were greatly enhanced.  His influence, knowledge and expertise will be difficult to replace.

John was an inveterate, attentive and dedicated helper of so many activities, charitable and otherwise, including Rotary, that it is impossible to list all he did for the town and its citizens.  He was forever available to give of his time and his skills to help others.

The dedication to so many things in his town earned him the award of the OBE in 2001.  Of all the awards of such honours, it has to be said that none could be more richly merited than John’s was.  In addition the town University honoured him by conferring a doctorate.

When not committed to helping others, or business, John, like myself, enjoyed sailing the Clyde both by steamer and smaller vessel.  His love of the sea and ships led him and a group of like-minded friends to various parts of Scandinavia, Germany and Russia via the ferries of the North Sea and the Baltic.  His quiet but incisive sense of humour was infectious and he was a good companion and a great asset on these trips. Although he himself could be tempted to no more than the odd glass of wine, he endured the more adventurous escapades of the company on these wifeless journeys with fortitude and tolerance – and equal contribution to the “kitty”.  It is a pleasure to say that only a week before his death, we had held a dinner to plan the latest trip next spring, at which time he appeared well and raring to go.  It came therefore as an even greater shock to hear of the event exactly one week later.

Apart from all other interests above, St Mark’s Church in Ralston also greatly occupied him, as elder and on the financial side, for nearly forty years.  The extent of the affection and respect in which he was held was exemplified by the attendance at the funeral service there on 23rd November when the church was filled by those from all aspects of his life, come to pay their respects – from the law, the building society movement, Rotary, the hospice, the ranks of employees and former employees – and those who were his friends.

Throughout the past 33 years or so John was always around to advise, and I was not slow to ask his help, always freely and unstintingly given.  He and Morag, to whom he was married for over 40 years, were kindness itself to me, my wife Joan and our three sons.  I have lost a true, dependable and valued friend whom I shall continue to miss.  He was a good and gentle man.

John leaves behind Morag, his son Ronald (also a lawyer) and his daughter Ruth, with whom and whose families our thoughts are now.

I was told by someone closely involved in Paisley’s ongoings that John’s premature death would leave an enormous gap in so many aspects of the town’s life.  At one point I recall his being referred to as “Mr Paisley”.  I could not put it better, for that was the mark of the man.

Sheriff Colin B. MIller