TRIBUTES have been paid to former teacher Richard Pearse who died on Thursday after collapsing while cycling.

The 63-year-old died of a suspected heart attack while cycling along the A4135 in Kingscote.

Mr Pearse was a well-respected teacher at Maidenhill School from 1995 to 2000 and then Wycliffe College until 2006, and was chairman of Stroud Camera Club.

Lucy Brown, Richard’s daughter, told the SNJ: “We feel honoured to have had him as a husband and dad – he was a hugely loving and caring man, with an all-round great sense of humour and a strong sense of duty to his family and his surroundings.

“He was a husband, father, grandad, brother, uncle and all round good man.”

Mr Pearse grew up in St Albans, trained as a teacher at Wolverhampton University, and had lived in Stroud for 35 years.

He taught several subjects, with his main topics being French and Spanish, but he also guided pupils learning English as a foreign language and PE, before retiring in 2011.

Lucy recalled people saying to her “Oh, you’re Mr Pearse’s daughter” with much affection.

He also coached basketball, taking teams on tours around the UK and Europe, and to various competitions with great success.

Mr Pearse was popular with his fellow camera club members and became chairman three years ago.

Annie Blick, the club’s programme secretary and a friend of Mr Pearse, said: “Richard’s love of nature and the Gloucestershire landscape shone through in his unique photography.

“He relished using light, and looking at the world through his lens with fresh eyes on his frequent walks around our Five Valleys.

“He once said to me ‘I just love the photographic medium for expressing what I value most about life and the people and creatures on our earth – a planet we take too much for granted’.

“Richard will be missed greatly by all members at Stroud Camera Club.”

He also had a talent for writing, which he used to document his photography walks with witty short stories.

A fit and active man, Mr Pearse was a keen cyclist and walker, and had spent Thursday morning with his wife Sue and daughter at Calcot Spa, where they had been swimming and relaxing.

Details of the funeral are yet to be announced.