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Our dear brother Rodrigo was born on the 23rd of July 1961 at the Clinica Alemana in the city of Osorno (Chile, South-America). He was the first son of Jose Helmut Bastidas and Yolanda Bastidas, two young and proud parents. Rodrigo stayed at home for the first years with his younger brother Carlos. He then went to Kindergarden with Carlos and cousins at the age of five.
Rod then started mainstream primary school the following year at Escuela España where he would remain until he was old enough to take an entry exam to join San Mateo School. He successfully joined the school at the age of eleven. Then due to the political events occurring in Chile at the time he had to leave the school aged fourteen and seek refuge with his family in the U.K. Rodrigo and his family settled in Selby North Yorkshire, here he learned to ‘speak proper’ by going to Barlby Comprehensive School where he remained until 1979.
After leaving school he was taken on as an assistant site Engineer by a local Engineering firm, working on projects such as Drax Power Station. At the same time he studied at York College of Arts and Technology where he gained a Certificate in Building Studies. In 1983 he left the U.K. and went to Germany where he read German and Politics at University.
{mosimage} Back in the UK in 1986 he settled in London where he was to remain throughout his adult life. His first job back in the UK landed him with the responsibility of co-ordinating the efforts of helping fellow countrymen in London. Needless to say this earned him a lot of respect from people who would later become firm friends.
Rod also worked for Ronco Engineering Ltd, a company based in East Finchley where he performed many tasks. His final work place was a company based in Waterloo called Rail Gourmet UK. He was with the company a long time, a well respected and dear colleague he performed the task of Team Leader for the night shift in charge of the Ramp co-ordinators.
Rod also worked for Ronco Engineering Ltd, a company based in East Finchley where he performed many tasks. His final work place was a company based in Waterloo called Rail Gourmet UK. He was with the company a long time, a well respected and dear colleague he performed the task of Team Leader for the night shift in charge of the Ramp co-ordinators.
Rodrigo was a person that enjoyed his work, loved his family and persued his social interests to the full. He was a fit and active person enjoying his Martial Arts (long live SHOTOKAN) which he practised at his local Dojo run by Sensei Jelal Akdul. Even when he was diagnosed with liver cancer he was optimistic wanting to meet the challenge head on. Sadly Rod passed away only nine weeks after been diagnosed at St.Lukes Hospice (Sheffield UK) on 8th April 2004 aged 42. He has left us all a great gift in his selfness and love for life.
Oss Sensei – ‘speedo,…bend your front knee !!!’….
See you at the BIG DOJO hermano.
Tus hermanos Carlos y Lucho….X
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