Today I’m attending the funeral of Robert (Bob) Arstall, conducted at Jean Flynn Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth (in Adelaide).
Bob was a committed servant to the work of the Presbyterian Church who served as a Moderator and Clerk of the statewide church as well as on a number of committees for extended periods.
He also represented South Australia at our National Assembly and gave particular service to the national Code committee.
Bob had a commitment to procedure which was motivated by a sense of fairness. This would lead to him often registering protests against decisions he believed were wrong, but having done so he always moved on to the next matter amiably.
He loved to tell stories. Often in the middle of meetings. And sometimes it was a stretch to understand the direct relevance of the story told to the matter at hand.
One memorable account involved a (pre-1977 meeting of the Presbytery of Penola in Mount Gambier, the commencement of which only took place after a large pot of tea had been prepared and placed in the center of the meeting table.
The service revealed that Bob was a world-class electrical engineer who served the Navy with distinction, as well as having a wide number of interests which included astronomy, shooting and mechanics.
mgpcpastor's blog 
Could this be the same Bob Arstall from South Australia who worked alongside me at the GEC lab in Stanmore, England, in the 1950’s? We were firm friends but I knew then that Bob was planning to return to Elizabeth. I married a girl who also worked at GEC and we moved elsewhere in 1956. We later moved to the USA and now lived in Florida. Although I tried many times I was never able to track Bob down again but those were pre-computer days. I feel sure this must be the Bob Arstall I knew but how strange that I would decide to search for him again today. He was a good man and a good friend.
John Anderson.
It sounds like the same Bob.
I can’t say I had the privilege of knowing him closely, but your sentiments were very much echoed through his funeral service.
His wife had predeceased him by some number of years, but he lived in Elizabeth pretty much till the end.
His four adult daughters all participated in the funeral.
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