A York grandfather has died suddenly in Australia shortly after the birth of his seventh grandchild there.

Derek Robson: family stunned

Derek Robson, 69, from Clifton, suffered a heart attack while playing golf in Perth on Saturday.

A nurse who was with his group revived him, but he died later in hospital.

He and his wife, Ann, flew to Australia on April 2 to visit their daughter, Sandra.

She emigrated with her husband, Gary Parkes, in September and was expecting her third child.

Three weeks into their visit the proud grandparents helped to welcome the arrival of their grandchild, Ryan Jacob.

Mr Robson's family in York - sons Paul and Nigel and daughter, Emma - were all stunned by the news of their dad's death.

Paul, sales office manager at Smith Brothers in York, said: "It came as a real shock when we got the call.

"He had never had any health problems before and had always been fit.

"My mum was very upset at first, but when we spoke on Monday she seemed to be coming to terms with things and just wanted to come back home.

Ann and Sandra will fly back to the UK on Sunday.

The family is hoping to get Mr Robson's body returned by Wednesday next week so they can hold his funeral at York Crematorium late that week or early the next.

Born in York, Mr Robson was a joiner at Rowntree's for 40 years before taking early retirement, aged 60.

He then worked as a handyman at the Beechwood Close Hotel in Shipton Road, where he was a familiar face socially.

He enjoyed golf, gardening, horse racing and football and played badminton every week at the Railway Institute Club until a year ago.

Paul said: "My dad lived here all his life and he used to cycle around everywhere.

"He was very well known and I'm sure a lot of people will miss him."

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