A GRANDFATHER who bumped his head on his car boot died a month later from a brain haemorrhage.
Ray Sharp – who was awarded an OBE in 1978 for his services to highways and transportation – had popped out to buy ingredients to make marzipan for a Christmas cake in December.
The father-of-three was putting his shopping into his boot when he hit his head on the edge of the car boot door.
"He had a huge scab form, and it was clearly visible because he did not have much hair left," said his daughter-in-law Grace Sharp.
"He had not said that he was feeling particularly unwell, and he even enjoyed the festive period."
But on January 8 Dr Sharp collapsed at his home.
He was rushed into East Surrey Hospital and slipped into a coma, where he remained until his death on January 20.
"It was all very sudden, and to begin with we did not really know what was happening," she added.
"It was a brain haemorrhage – it was awful to see the scan, it looked like his brain had been squashed to one side."
The family this week paid tribute to the 94-year-old, following his funeral at St Mary's Church in Caterham.
Mrs Sharp said: "He was a gentle, loving family man.
"He was a typical man from his era and was very well-respected in his area of expertise – concrete."
Dr Sharp bought a piece of land for £650 with his wife Marjorie in Dome Hill in 1954, where the couple built their own home.
This began a 60-year association with the town, with the family subsequently moving to Woodland Way and then to Badgers Wood, in Chaldon. Mrs Sharp added: "He had a real love for life and loved a challenge.
"He worked so hard throughout his life within the engineering field and he was very well-known to everyone in the industry."
Born in Canada to Manx parents, Dr Sharp studied civil engineering at the University of Birmingham before the Second World War, during which he served in the Royal Engineers.
After his service in Normandy and Germany, he left the forces in 1946, entering local government and working in the city engineer's departments of Birmingham, Hull and Wandsworth.
In 1954 Dr Sharp was invited to join the Cement and Concrete Association in London as head of the advisory service, a position he held for 29 years.
His personal speciality was concrete in roads and airfields, for which he established an international reputation and was appointed OBE.
He and his wife were founder members of the Bourne Society, based in Caterham, and Dr Sharp served on both PTAs of Eothen School and Caterham School when his children attended them. He leaves three children and six grandchildren.
A collection at Dr Sharp's funeral raised £600 for the Injured Soldiers Fund.
