Peter Atkins

Retired dispensing optician Peter Atkins died suddenly on February 10 aged 78.

Atkins started his career in optics in 1946 aged 17 working in the workshop at small independent group RS Cheshire in Portsmouth, before later moving into dispensing in the early 1960s.

He managed several local practices and after the group was acquired by Melson Wingate in the 1970s he went on to become an area director for the company. He retired in 1994 having effectively worked for the same company for his entire 48-year career.

He is survived by his wife Valerie and children Nick, Kate and Tim. The family requests donations to the RNIB as over the years he ran a number of half marathons on their behalf.