R.I.P - Sqn Ldr Brian Waite
Passing of former 609 Squadron Leader Brian Waite.
IIt is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of former Officer Commanding 609 (WR) Squadron, Sqn Ldr Brian Waite who passed quietly in his sleep a few weeks ago.
Born in 1947; Squadron Leader Brian Waite was educated at King’s School, Grantham and Loughborough College of Physical Education. Following a teaching “career” of ten years in Kent, he joined the Royal Air Force as an Administration (Secretarial) Officer in 1981.
A three and a half-year tour in Germany followed a short tour as Officer Commanding General Duties Flight at RAF West Drayton. Stationed at RAF Wildenrath, a year as cashier was followed by a tour as a Squadron Intelligence Officer on 92 Squadron, equipped with Phantom aircraft.
ON returning to the UK, he entered the RAF recruiting world, commanding offices at Leicester and Peterborough. Two years later he was posted to RAF College Cranwell to undertake Flight Commander duties on Initial Officers Training.
Two “Admin” tours followed in quick succession; OC PMS at RAF Church Fenton and OC SSF at RAF Boscombe Down. During these tours, and due to enforced retirement from competitive sport, he organized hill-walking expeditions to North America.
Promotion to Squadron Leader in 1994 was followed by a position in the Marketing Wing of the Directorate of Recruitment and Selection at RAF Cranwell. He was responsible for the Exhibition Fleet and co-ordination of the outdoor and indoor shows, attended by the Recruitment Field Force.
Retirement from the Royal Air Force in 1997 led in two years living in Norfolk, before taking up the post of OC Support Flight on the recently reformed Air Defence Support Squadron, now 609, based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire in March 1999., he retired from the Squadron in 2006.
He was married to Louise, a research physiotherapist, and enjoyed watching sport, hill walking, Indian cooking and listening to music.
After Brian left the Squadron our ties with him faded but he remained the bridge for 609 Sqn with 609 Sqn Association as well as with the Belgian 609 Sqn Association members, Honorary members and supporting members.
We would like to wish his wife Louise the strength and power to go on with life after the loss of her husband Brian, the Boss, Squadron Leader Waite, a friend, a man with a golden heart that never said no but rather said yes or we will try to get it sorted, a true gentleman who passed at the age of 74 years.
TALLY HO Boss Waite - Per Ardua Ad Astra