He spent his career restoring several of the most cherished buildings in Norwich.
And despite reaching the impressive age of 95, Vic Nierop-Reading has been described by his family as a man "itching to do more".
A conservation architect, he spent much of his life helping to restore some of the city's most important landmarks.
Born Vic Reading on April 25, 1927, in Finchley, north London, he was the only child of Frank, a clockmaker, and May (nee Elsegood), who worked in a jewellery showroom.
He went to Christ’s College Finchley before training in architecture at North London Polytechnic, now London Metropolitan University.
He began his career in 1953, working for the Geddes Hyslop firm of London architects, where he specialised in restoring English country houses.
In 1958, he moved to Norwich to join the city council’s architects’ department as an architectural assistant helping to design schools and housing. He later became a senior architect and worked on the restoration of several of the city’s most important historical buildings including Churchman House, Dragon Hall, and Strangers’ Hall.
Mr Nierop-Reading developed an encyclopedic knowledge of Norwich’s architectural heritage and was at the vanguard of promoting sensitivity to historic buildings.
His daughter, Jane Sargant, said: "He is remembered by colleagues as fun, enthusiastic and energetic.
"He never flinched from launching himself into the dirtiest roof space to wonder at some trapped detail, or to lie in rubble to inspect a particular 'fascination' of a building, trying to understand how it fitted in with the whole.
"Vic was a man who lived life to the full and was always itching to do more."
Daughter, Ellen Nierop, added: "He was a very kind, very amusing, and engaging man. A totally loving father."
On retiring, he became a part-time lecturer on architectural history for the Workers’ Educational Association and the University of East Anglia, and a researcher for the Norfolk Historic Buildings Group. He loved photography and cycling. He also had a lifelong and active commitment to socialism and left-wing politics.
With his first wife, Gill (nee Sayer), he campaigned on green issues. He also continuously worked on Norwich's river walk, despite many difficulties, and Mousehold Heath. The couple divorced in 1974.
With his second wife, Bryony (nee Nierop), he supported the Plantation Garden's restoration. They separated in 2000.
He died at home on September 23, 2022, and leaves behind his partner, Di Smith, eight children, five 'honorary' children (who were the Swedish children of his close childhood friend Rex Stuart-Beck, who died aged in his 50s), and 11 grandchildren.
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