An Inklings Son Remmebers
I am Robert “Humphrey” Havard’s second son, Mark and I was born in Oxford in 1935. While I was still a teenager, I would sometimes be invited to accompany my father to an Inkling informal Tuesday morning get-together at the Eagle and Child pub or at Studley Priory. Professor Tolkien lived on our street and was a neighbor. My younger sister and I were on one occasion asked by the Lewis brothers to stay at the Kilns for a few days to take care of it and provide care for Mr Paxford who was suffering from flu at that time. The Lewises were taking a short trip to Ireland.. All this must have taken place between 1950 and 1953 because I left home in 1953, immediately after being graduated from high school and entered a Benedictine monastery.
I was given the religious name of Colin. I went up to Oxford as a monk and obtained an MA in Modern History there. In 1964 I was sent to the United States to supplement the community at what is now St Louis Abbey. Ten year’s later I asked to be dispensed from my vows and the priesthood and moved to New York City. During the 14 years I was there, I married my wife, became the father of two sons, and entered a second career as a computer consultant. We returned to St Louis in 1988 and have lived and worked here since then. I am now retired and am fortunate to have my two sons still living here. Our one grandson brings us great joy. I go by Colin rather than Mark except in my immediate family.