Kevin Roger Saunders 20 June 1942 – 6 July 2025
CONTRIBUTE
TO MEMORY TIMELINE
When Bon and I were talking about Uncle Kevin, the word that Bon used was inspirational. The amazing life he led, the incredible adventures he had, his music and his gliding. It was through his music that I first got to know him - living so distantly we didn’t meet up that often, and as a child he was really just the tall, skinny uncle we didn’t see very often. But even now I remember lyrics to some of the songs from a tape that he made that Dad played in the car - The British Bobby and The Mermaid were particular favourites then, and still make me giggle today. And as still as a child, who wouldn’t be proud to say their uncle was Gliding Champion of Western Australia (even if you didn’t really know what that meant). As I got older I got to know him, and Aunty Pauline, so much better - they even made it to our wedding, despite the fact that they were staying on a canal boat in a completely different part of the country. We genuinely looked forward to meeting up with both of them for dinner whenever they came over. When we did meet up I just remember laughing - he was a warm, gentle man with a wicked sense of humour - even the last time I saw him just a couple of months ago, he still had us laughing. His response to a particularly tricky chair to wheelchair transfer will stay with me forever - after a good five minutes of three of us trying to get him safely transferred he finally sat down, looked at us and said ‘piece of piss…’ with that cheeky glint in his eye. He will be genuinely missed.
>read on
Uncle Kevin was always like a kind of legendary figure in our household. He was the exotic dude who moved to Australia before anyone had even thought of taking out ‘gap years’ to venture that far. He was a real adventurer as far as we were concerned. And possibly slightly mad. Tales of swimming in potentially crocodile infested billabongs left me in awe, just as much as his stories of seeing the sharks from high up in the sky in his glider. I didn’t have the stomach for these kinds of pursuits so I could only attempt to follow in one of his other passions: music. With my dad informing me that his brother could play any instrument he could lay his hands on I did feel somewhat intimidated . Doggedly I did manage to learn how to sing, play piano, guitar and bass. A relatively small accomplishment in comparison but it became obvious that at least some of the Saunders family musical genetics had been passed on, and for that I am eternally grateful. Whilst I approached music quite academically, Uncle Kevin was truly intuitive, he was a rare type of musician. I am so glad that he has managed to inspire and educate so many people with his music and equally with his gliding. We are put here on this earth to share our skills, to guide, motivate and uplift others. He managed all of this and I know he has left this place with a heart full of love, filled with precious memories. I send my love to Pauline and all the family he leaves behind. Fly high, Uncle Kev ❤️
Kevin, you'll be sorely missed, many years of late night party jam sessions, and playing for Bush dances in Port Hedland in our Scrumpy & Co band. Your the only guy i knew, who bought a suitcase that your Banjo would fit ! Also sincere condolences from Bob {Burgess} and family.
>read on
Kevin and Pauline have been fantastic hosts over the past years on our visits to Oz on Steve's tours to the folk clubs and festivals around the Perth area. We have so many happy memories of Kevin when we stayed with him and Pauline, and when they came over to stay with us in the Peak District, and at Whitby festival the last time we saw them in the UK. Kevin was so cheerful, making nothing of his difficulties, alwayswith good humour and his dry wit. He will be missed by so many, family, friends and all who knew him. Our love and sincere condolences to Pauline and the family. He will surely have a great send off, and we will raise our glasses to him here in the UK. Fly high for ever, Kevin
By example you taught me to swim, and to ride a bike. Later you taught me to drink beer, and play the guitar (in my case very badly).We entered and won car rallies together (you drove, i navigated), and together we learned to ski. You were best man at my wedding in 1969. We never had a cross word. I miss you big brother but am comforted by knowing that you had a fulfilling life, surrounded by loving family and friends. you big brother
>read on
When Bon and I were talking about Uncle Kevin, the word that Bon used was inspirational. The amazing life he led, the incredible adventures he had, his music and his gliding. It was through his music that I first got to know him - living so distantly we didn’t meet up that often, and as a child he was really just the tall, skinny uncle we didn’t see very often. But even now I remember lyrics to some of the songs from a tape that he made that Dad played in the car - The British Bobby and The Mermaid were particular favourites then, and still make me giggle today. And as still as a child, who wouldn’t be proud to say their uncle was Gliding Champion of Western Australia (even if you didn’t really know what that meant). As I got older I got to know him, and Aunty Pauline, so much better - they even made it to our wedding, despite the fact that they were staying on a canal boat in a completely different part of the country. We genuinely looked forward to meeting up with both of them for dinner whenever they came over. When we did meet up I just remember laughing - he was a warm, gentle man with a wicked sense of humour - even the last time I saw him just a couple of months ago, he still had us laughing. His response to a particularly tricky chair to wheelchair transfer will stay with me forever - after a good five minutes of three of us trying to get him safely transferred he finally sat down, looked at us and said ‘piece of piss…’ with that cheeky glint in his eye. He will be genuinely missed. View full message
Lou HollowayUncle Kevin was always like a kind of legendary figure in our household. He was the exotic dude who moved to Australia before anyone had even thought of taking out ‘gap years’ to venture that far. He was a real adventurer as far as we were concerned. And possibly slightly mad. Tales of swimming in potentially crocodile infested billabongs left me in awe, just as much as his stories of seeing the sharks from high up in the sky in his glider. I didn’t have the stomach for these kinds of pursuits so I could only attempt to follow in one of his other passions: music. With my dad informing me that his brother could play any instrument he could lay his hands on I did feel somewhat intimidated . Doggedly I did manage to learn how to sing, play piano, guitar and bass. A relatively small accomplishment in comparison but it became obvious that at least some of the Saunders family musical genetics had been passed on, and for that I am eternally grateful. Whilst I approached music quite academically, Uncle Kevin was truly intuitive, he was a rare type of musician. I am so glad that he has managed to inspire and educate so many people with his music and equally with his gliding. We are put here on this earth to share our skills, to guide, motivate and uplift others. He managed all of this and I know he has left this place with a heart full of love, filled with precious memories. I send my love to Pauline and all the family he leaves behind. Fly high, Uncle Kev ❤️ Read full message here.
Kevin, you'll be sorely missed, many years of late night party jam sessions, and playing for Bush dances in Port Hedland in our Scrumpy & Co band. Your the only guy i knew, who bought a suitcase that your Banjo would fit ! Also sincere condolences from Bob {Burgess} and family. View full message
Alice and Shug CraigKevin and Pauline have been fantastic hosts over the past years on our visits to Oz on Steve's tours to the folk clubs and festivals around the Perth area. We have so many happy memories of Kevin when we stayed with him and Pauline, and when they came over to stay with us in the Peak District, and at Whitby festival the last time we saw them in the UK. Kevin was so cheerful, making nothing of his difficulties, alwayswith good humour and his dry wit. He will be missed by so many, family, friends and all who knew him. Our love and sincere condolences to Pauline and the family. He will surely have a great send off, and we will raise our glasses to him here in the UK. Fly high for ever, Kevin Read full message here.
By example you taught me to swim, and to ride a bike. Later you taught me to drink beer, and play the guitar (in my case very badly).We entered and won car rallies together (you drove, i navigated), and together we learned to ski. You were best man at my wedding in 1969. We never had a cross word. I miss you big brother but am comforted by knowing that you had a fulfilling life, surrounded by loving family and friends. you big brother View full message