Andy Bathgate – A Tribute
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Andy Bathgate’s sudden homecall in the night of Monday 16th October 2023 has shocked Scotland. Probably only his immediate family (to whom our hearts go out at this time) know just how many hats he wore and how many lives he touched. His first priority was always his family and we are praying for comfort in particular for his wife Alyson, daughters Karyn and Fiona, and his three grandsons.
As one of the founders of CVE Scotland and our Chair for eight years from its inception in 2014 to his retirement from the role in 2022, it is clear that the charity owes much to Andy; from its very formation to the values he instilled through consistent godly leadership and his wise and gracious decision-making.
On behalf of those who have been and are yet to be supported by our work – thank you Andy.
[Photos: recording a video clip to encourage Christians in schools (2021), CVE training event in the early years of the charity (2016), CVE Scotland & SU Scotland Edinburgh dinner for teachers (2019)]
After his retirement from Chair in 2022 and until his death, Andy continued to volunteer his time and experience for CVE Scotland, guiding and advising the RSHP Project.
It has been an honour to work alongside Andy, but more than that, he was a good friend and will be greatly missed.
The best tribute we can pay him is to labour as he did with gentleness, grace and winsomeness for a continuing Christian presence in Scotland’s schools.
Today Andy is part of that cloud of witnesses cheering us on as we run towards the finishing line. At CVE Scotland we thank God for the privilege of having such a godly leader and ask for God’s enabling that we may run as he did and one day hear the words Andy heard on Monday night : “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Megan Patterson & Victoria Myles
On behalf of the CVE Scotland team
Richard Coton, CVE Scotland Trustee 2014-2020 and CVE Scotland Secretary 2014-2019, writes:
Put simply, CVE Scotland would never have seen the light of day without Andy. Full of faith and immensely practical, Andy inspired confidence. At our first meeting, having listened to our hopes and vague ideas, he nodded, smiled, then offered whole-hearted support in his usual understated, quietly spoken way. And CVE was born.
In the months and years ahead, Andy threw himself into the role of Chair, smoothing the way for the infant charity to grow by making available to us all the invaluable back-office resources of SU Scotland. Despite immense responsibilities as SU’s Chief Executive, he was never too busy to listen, to pray, to roll up his sleeves. He was a friend, a comfort, a man of prayer, who pointed everyone who met him towards Jesus. Like many, many others, I am so blessed to have known him.
[photo: The CVE Scotland Planning Group in 2019 enjoying using Zoom to meet online]
