Obituary: Astran's original long-haul pioneer dies

Bob Paul, who was transport director of Astran from 1966 until his retirement in 2001, died on 7 July aged 81.

The original long-haul pioneer died just several days after the big Astran reunion on 26 June (full story in September's Truck & Driver). Paul also spent some time on the Road Haulage Association committee as its Middle East expert.

Born on 5 April 1929, Paul's career started in the 1950s, training as a doctor to follow in his father's footsteps. However, he yearned for something much more adventurous, so, when his college friend Michael Woodman invited him to give up medicine for a life on the road, Paul jumped at the chance.

Astran was born and Paul found himself in charge of the most famous, respected and envied transport company ever to send trucks overland to the Middle East.

Peter Cannon, who worked closely with Paul for 15 years as his transport manager, says: "Bob was such a likeable man to whom everyone warmed. All of us employees respected him immensely. He cared for everybody and was a genuinely nice gentleman to deal with. He will be sadly missed by all."

Robert Paul's wife Caroline died some years ago. He leaves two daughters, a son and two grandchildren.