'Rebellious' Exeter teacher who 'impacted countless lives' has died, aged 75

A heartfelt tribute has been paid to an adored Exeter teacher who died last month. He is said to have "impacted countless lives" in his more than 30 years of teaching.

Dr John Rabbetts, a former Exeter College teacher, died at the age of 75 on October 21. He leaves behind his partner of 26 years Patricia, his daughter Erin, and his stepdaughter Frankie.

After completing a PhD in London, John began teaching English Literature at Exeter College in September 1983, where he remained for the rest of his career. Former student Oli Delgaram-Nejad says he was no typical teacher and had a "rebellious" side.

"He treated us more like postgraduates," Oli said. "Covering both the standard syllabus and more advanced material for pleasure (such as how to annotate for metric feet). Befitting a literary analyst, he was empathetic, charming, and rebellious."

John is said to have formed friendships with many of his former students. Oli said: "He formed strong and close connections with his students, remaining in contact long after they’d left the college: much to the dismay of the department he termed 'inhuman resources'.

"He would punctuate readings with historical asides and personal anecdotes, often affectionately referencing his travels, youthful misdemeanours, friends, and family. He gave us both a rich education and also many reminders not to take ourselves or life too seriously.

"We were encouraged to seek experiences and adventures, so that we would discover why these authors bothered to write at all. Our cohort adored him so much that we gave him an engraved Zippo on results day."

In an emotional tribute, Oli says his former teacher's love of literature inspired him long after his school days. He says John has left a long "legacy of student successes and friendships".

Oli said: "I’m reminded of how John would read Yeats’ The Stolen Child, in a strong Irish accent: ‘Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand, For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.’

"The world is indeed more full of weeping in light of John’s passing, yet he leaves behind a lasting legacy of student successes and friendships."