RETIRED DUNDEE headmaster Alex Spence, who contributed as much to swimming as he did to teaching, has died this week, aged 80, after a short illness.

After a career in teaching which lasted more than 42 years, Mr Spence retired as head teacher at Forthill Primary School in Broughty Ferry in 1992.

He was then able to indulge fully his passion for swimming, which saw him achieve many honours.

Mr Spence, who was born in Perth, obtained a degree in English and French from St Andrews University.

He went on to study for a Diploma in Education jointly at the university and at Dundee Training College.

His first teaching job was at Clepington Primary School from 1950 to 1957, after which he taught at Macalpine Primary School until 1959.

Over the next 10 years, he was deputy head teacher at Downfield, Dryburgh and Glebelands Primary Schools.

In 1969 he was appointed head of Douglas Primary School, followed by posts at Balerno and Longhaugh Primary Schools.

He joined Forthill Primary in 1976 and was actively involved in swimming events, running Dundee and Tayside school galas.

Upon retiring, Mr Spence was kept very busy with his passion for swimming.

He competed in Scottish events and was the Scottish and British schools’ swimming team manager.

He also held the position of president of the Scottish Schools’ Swimming Association, of which he was made a life member.

A member of Steprock Swimming Club and Midlands District Scottish Schools and Scottish Swimming Association, he also found time to be secretary of the Welsh, Irish, Scottish and English Swimming Association, as the first Scotsman to hold such a position.

In 2000 he was awarded the Speedo Millennium Award for his contribution to Scottish schools’ swimming.

He was also on the committee for organising the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1986 and was a master of ceremonies.

Mr Spence, who lived in Broughty Ferry, is survived by his wife Netta, two sons, and grandchildren.