RAISING a glass of ale brewed in his honour, more than 100 mourners paid their respects to a stalwart of the town.

Peter Underwood lost his battle with leukaemia, surrounded by his family, on December 4.

The 88-year-old former teacher and member of The Ipswich Society, was born in London before moving to Ipswich when he was seven.

A Northgate pupil, Mr Underwood later returned to the school where he was a geography teacher for 32 years.

While he was at Oxford University studying geography, Mr Underwood was called up for the RAF during the Second World War.

Stationed mainly in Canada, he served as a flying instructor. When he returned to Ipswich, finishing his teaching qualifications, he took up his role at Northgate.

Following his retirement he took up the role of magistrate for ten years.

He was a founding member of The Ipswich Society, a member of the Ipswich Building Preservation Trust and the Historic Churches Trust.

In 1998 Mr Underwood was recognised for his dedication to the town when he was awarded an MBE for services to The Ipswich Society.

His eldest son, Simon Underwood, 59, who lives in Sunderland, said: “His passion was an interest in Ipswich and Suffolk, all aspects of the town’s history and architecture as well as it’s people.

“He had a passion for learning and teaching others.

“He loved to be able to tell other people facts and stories.

“He was fascinated by people and loved nothing more than sitting in a pub with a pint of real ale with all sorts of people.

“He always took people as he found them, he wasn’t judgemental at all.

“He had a great sense of humour and will be missed terribly by us all.”

At his funeral last week mourners enjoyed a pint of Underwood Mild created and brewed in his honour at The Dove Inn, his former favourite pub when he and his late wife Pam lived in Vermont Crescent, off Tuddenham Road.

Mr Underwood leaves behind his sons, Simon and Rupert, daughter Tessa and six grandchildren.

n Pay tribute to Mr Underwood. Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk