RESPECTED Green Party politician and dignity in dying campaigner Bob Keats, has died.
A Humanist Society member, Green Party campaigner, parish councillor and community champion, Bob was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) less than two years ago - a disease for which there is no treatment or cure.
He became an advocate for the MND Association, campaigning for improved diagnosis rates and dignity in dying.
Bob died at the hospice in the early hours of Tuesday morning, aged 62.
He leaves his wife Helen, 63, and daughters Holly, 30, and Sophie, 26.
Bob's funeral, led by a humanist celebrant, will be held in the garden of the family's Shorwell home next Saturday (29), at 1pm.
All are welcome to attend.
When asked how she wanted people to remember her husband, Helen quoted the last line of his recent book, How to Die Well Without God, and said simply: "It's been a gas."
Last June, Bob told the County Press: "I've had the most extraordinarily positive life. I have a wonderful family and fantastic friendships. It's been a good life."
For more on this story, please see the Isle of Wight County Press, Friday, April 21.