Tributes flow in for Russell Sage

Mr Sage died last Wednesday after a short illness, aged 95.

He joined Sir William Borlase's School before it gained grammar school status as a French teacher in 1934 and combined a love of languages with a passion for amateur dramatics. He produced dozens of school plays and was appointed the head of modern languages and head of Saxon house.

Nicholas Gill, a former pupil, said: "I have many memories of Russell Sage. Through acting in school plays most years at Borlase, he encouraged a taste for making an exhibition of myself which has lasted into middle age.

"He also managed to make A-level French literature fun by acting all the parts in the dramas."

Andrew Howland, a maths teacher at the school, said: "The accolade legend' is, in my opinion, far too easily given to many in these times.

"However, it sits so comfortably on the shoulders of Russell Sage. I suspect that his 42-year-span at the school is almost certainly unmatched in the school's 382-year history."

Mr Sage took a few years out from teaching during the war to serve in the intelligence corps in Italy and Tunisia.

After the war he returned to Borlase's and retired as deputy head in 1976.

His daughter Harriet Bristow said: "He loved working at Borlase's. He was a quiet man and he always did the right thing. He was a good example for the boys. Somebody wrote in a letter that he taught him how to serve the community, I thought that was lovely."

Mr Sage was passionate about the theatre and co-founded the Marlow Players Amateur Dramatics Society in 1937.

Olive Smith, the society's former president, said: "Russell was theatre through and through. He would write, direct, act and build the sets. Theatre life was just in him somehow."

His favourite production he worked on was The Three Sisters by Chekov and he worked on more than 100 plays for the Players.

The Marlow Players are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year and will dedicate their next performance, The Importance of Being Earnest, to Mr Sage.

Mrs Smith said: "It's thanks to him the group has survived to celebrate its 70th year."

Mr Sage also played a key role in coaching the school rowing team to success. Ian Perry, a former rower, said: "Mr Sage, or Fish as he was known to us rowers, was truly a remarkable man - someone you both respected and feared. He taught us rowing and who can ever forget his dangerous and exciting cycling along the footpath instructing through his megaphone."

Tributes

It is with sadness that I report the passing at the age of 95 of Mr Russell Sage, former Senior Master, Head of House, Head of Modern Languages, Master in charge of Rowing and producer of School Plays at Borlase's for so many years.

He served the country in the Second World War.

The accolade 'legend' is, in my opinion, far too easily given to many in these times. However, it sits so comfortably on the shoulders of Russell Sage. I suspect that his 42 year span at the school (1934-76) is almost certainly unmatched in the school's 382 year history.

I spoke with Russell only three or four times (prior to his moving to Devon), but I was (unsurprisingly) massively impressed with the true Borlase's 'giant'. Russell's love of the school came out in his major contribution to the updated Borlase's history (published in 1984)

Andy Howland, Current maths teacher at Sir William Borlase

MY first encounter with Russell Sage was on June 5, 1969 when he interviewed me, walking round a much smaller Borlase, and talking about rowing and drama. Impressed by his friendliness, I had no hesitation in acccepting the post to teach English and history, and soon enjoyed the challenge of coaching crews under Russell's expert guidance.

As he neared retirement Russell decided to relinquish his rowing master responsibility which he'd held since joining Sir William Borlase in 1934 and I felt greatly honoured to take over in 1972, though with some questions. But Russell in his last two years made the transition easy for me. In 1972 the boat club was able to show its appreciation by naming the new eight Russell Sage', and Viv Brewer, a former boat club captain presented Russell with a tankard with a fish-shaped handle - the affectionate in joke' gesture was much appreciated - so much so that for once Russell was lost for words.

In 1974, in their new eight, our first crew won Junior Eights at Reading Regatta. By an amazing coincidence the trophy was a splendid silver Viking ship which Russell's crew had won 22 years earlier.

In 1992 Russell was a guest speaker at the 70th anniversary dinner of the boat club, and the next morning his "Viking four" once more took to the water for a celebratory row.

Among many boys who benefited from Russell's expert tuition, Paul Daneman in the field of drama springs to mind as does World Lightweight Rowing Champion, Nigel Reade. There are many many old Borlasians and colleagues like me who treasure fond memories of Russell. He shall be well remembered.

Tony Craig, Former Borlase rowing coach and Borlase History and English teacher

"I was saddened to hear of Russell's death and my immediate thoughts were of the happiness he created for me in the years 1946 to 1952.

Russell let me act in the winter plays and showed me how to be a stage electrician.

Russell took me out in a tub-pair and introduced me to rowing.

Russell coached me in the Second Four, the First Four and the 1952, first, First Eight.

Russell said in 1949 "Grace, we will get a credit in French". We got a credit in French in spite of the fact that I was usually bottom of the class. His French was of such a standard that we nearly lost him to the United Nations for whom he qualified as a simultaneous interpreter.

The last time I met him was at Bourne End where he was repairing a gutter in spite of having limited vision. At the time he was reading the script, in French, using a magnifying glass. He was going to direct the play for Marlow Players and take it to Marly-le-Roi!

What determination!

No wonder I got a credit in French. No wonder the Borlase rowing club won so many cups. No wonder the winter play was always a success.

Russell was a wonderful man."

Peter Grace (1946-52)

"A legend/icon has passed away. He and Charles Davenport were very much of the same stock.

Russell was blessed with the ability of helping you to enjoy the subject using his own sense of humour but also to put the fear of God in you if you stepped out of line.

I was certainly not his best pupil but he still gave me his time and patience. He was a most remarkable man who gave so much time to the school and to the pupils both in and out of normal school hours.

Please pass on my condolences to his family"

Ian Petty (1964-1970)

"A life to be celebrated rather than a death to be mourned, I feel.

Russell was an excellent Second Master for my first four years on the staff. He was helpful, calm and with a real sense of everyone's worth, and a thoroughly good mentor. I never knew him in his prime', but recall that his production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead in my first term was the best school play I had ever seen - and yet a few months later he came up to the Heights to watch our youngest boarders performing brief plays very amateurishly, and charmed all of them with unmerited (but much appreciated) praise.

After he retired, while he was still living locally and continuing to attend school functions, despite failing eyesight he seemed to get younger year by year! You're right. A genuine legend."

Former colleague

"I was at Borlase from 1953 to 1961 and Russell Sage taught me French, suffered me in a number of school plays and persevered with coaching my attempts at rowing.

There are so many anecdotes about Russell - I'm sure you will receive an absolute flood.

Speaking for my contemporaries, Russell's most regular riposte at some outlandish attempt at a translation or comment by a student was - "well, bless my soul!"

Many thanks for keeping me informed of this sad news. It was a pity he did not make the century."

David Abbott (1953-61)

"I remember Mr. Sage clearly and well. I also remember him with respect and affection. My time at Borlase from the late fifties to the early sixties was not a happy one. For reasons that still remain a mystery to me, even after my own 30 plus years as an educator, I was a troublesome kid. I was the recipient of daily disciplinary action, almost always very much deserved.

Mr. Sage was, sadly, one of a minority of teachers who did not seem to find it necessary to incorporate personal vengeance into the process of discipline and punishment. His example, along with others such as Mr McLean, Mr Williams and Mr Banner served as an example to me when I later found myself responsible for guiding young people through the troubled waters of adolescence.

I remember one particular illustration of Mr Sage's ability to laugh at himself in circumstances that might have tried the patience of a lesser man. We truly were a horrible lot, looking for every opportunity to wreak havoc. Someone learned about making an explosive paste from ammonium crystals and some other substance - my 17% in GCE Chemistry prevents me from recalling exactly what! This paste could be spread on any dark surface and became almost invisible when dry. It was sensitive to percussion which would cause it to explode. The most effective application was on a blackboard covered in writing that was begging to be erased.

Someone noted that Mr Sage, when arriving at a disorderly class and wishing to be heard above the din, would take his register book and slam it down on the teacher's desk. The stage was set. A liberal slathering of paste on the teacher's desk, a room full of extra specially noisy boys. Mr Sage appears in the doorway, glasses on the end of his nose, forelock drooping and gown blowing in the breeze of his entry.

We ignore him, if anything, amplifying the din. He moves to the desk. Up comes the register book, and down again with great force. There is a Whoooff!! And the book flies up towards the ceiling. Mr Sage has a look of wild fright. There is a momentary silence as we look upon our accomplishment in awe - much like the scientists at Los Alamos I'm sure. We are prepared for swift and terrible retribution - but definitely worth it.

Instead Mr. Sage collapses in helpless laughter. He knows when he's been had. In a surprisingly short time we're all grinding it through the French lesson. Damn, I wish I could remember how to make that stuff. My grandson would think I'm a God."

Terry Dann 1956-62

"Mr Sage, or Fish as he was known to we rowers, was truly a remarkable man - someone you both respected and feared. He taught me French, and when I failed my GCE O Level dealt out the ultimate punishment of retaking it - with the oral at the High School! He taught us rowing, and who can ever forget his dangerous and exciting cycling along the footpath instructing through his megaphone. And, lastly, he controlled discipline in the school in a totally fair and equal manner.

A man who affected many of us and his memory lives on in each and every one of us whose lives he touched and often directed for the good"

Ian Perry (1961-69)

"I learned French under his tutelage from 1934 to 1940 and found him an excellent teacher. It is good that he lived so long and I am sorry not to have known his address through the years so that I could have expressed my thanks and best wishes each Christmas. If we were nearer, I would certainly attend his funeral.

Although he must have been only about 13 years older than myself he seemed much older and commanded much respect. When we were Digging' the playing field he kept us well in order when he was in charge. He was also very good at organising pupils for plays, if I remember correctly."

Edward G. Collier (1934-40)

"My memories of Russell are still fresh today - a wonderful man and a great teacher. I particularly enjoyed being involved at a lowly stage manager level in a number of his productions. One enduring memory is of him sawing up wood to make scenery, fag sticking out of his mouth - telling me he only smoked because he was worried about money."

John Murphy (1954-61)

"Russell and I left Borlase together. He, of course, had a hand in appointing me, along with Charles Davenport and Ernest Hazelton.

In my last year I took over from him in the area of school plays, starting modestly with Androcles & the Lion in December 1975. By March the following year, I had been appointed to Caterham School for September 1976. Within a year I was producing the plays there, and clocked up 13 large or more modest shows, basically two a year till I left in 1983 to train for the priesthood.

So, getting started because Russell had stopped was a legacy he passed on to me. He was more angular than the day to day suave Charles Davenport, but both shared the same wicked sense of humour, and both were gentlemen of integrity, the kind of dedicated role models from which younger teachers could gain inspiration and encouragement. Russell, of course, had a foot in the Common Room as well as being the human face of the power behind the throne. To have been able to manage Ernest Hazelton will have been a craft in itself, and never easy. I'm glad he was able to enjoy so many years of well-earned retirement.

Peter Edwards (staff 1972-76)

"I have many memories of Russell Sage.

Through acting in school plays most years at Borlase, he encouraged a taste for making an exhibition of myself which has lasted into middle age!

He also managed to make A-level French literature FUN by acting all the parts in the dramas."

Nicholas Gill (1965-72)