Remembering Leslie Odber
A FORMER manager at Dalzell Steelworks, who helped found two local community groups, has died at the age of 94.
Leslie Frederick Odber passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 26, surrounded by his family at the end of a varied and interesting life.
Mr Odber arrived in Motherwell from Manchester in 1938, first working at Mossend Steelworks before moving to Dalzell Works.
There he became manager in charge of producing armour plate for the war effort and after World War Two took charge of the rolling mills.
Always an active member of the community, Mr Odber was well known for his ability to listen and be respectful of the concerns of others.
His ability as a fair, but firm, negotiator led him to be approached to stand as a council member for both Conservative and Communist parties. However, he declined both believing firmly that he could be most effective from the independent stance that he maintained throughout his life.
After retiring, Mr Odber pursued his other interests more vigorously. He was a founding member of the Motherwell Museum Group that successfully lobbied for a museum in Motherwell which resulted in the opening of the Motherwell Heritage Centre in 1996.
Mr Odber was also a founding member and secretary of the Mid-Lanark Coin Circle extending his enthusiasm and knowledge of numismatics to young and old and delighted in giving interesting and informative lectures on the subject.
Married to Kathleen, a noted chartered accountant in Motherwell, who died in 1978, Mr Odber is survived by son John, daughter Pat, daughter-in-law Josie and grandsons Joseph and Andrew.
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Weather for Motherwell, Scotland
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South west
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Light showers
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