Following a serious operation in a London hospital, Mr Robert Tusting, of 11 Brookfield-road, Rushden, the well-known auctioneer and estate agent, passed away at midnight on Tuesday. He was 63. Mr Tusting entered St Mark’s Hospital in City-road, on December 27, and the following Thursday underwent a serious operation. It was at first reported that the operation had been successful, and he made some progress, but on Friday night there was a turn for the worse. Mrs Tusting was sent for, and she remained at the hospital until the end. About 38 years ago Mr Tusting came to Rushden to work with the late Mr John S Mason, and for some years prior to Mr Mason’s death he was conducting auctions. When Mr Mason died in May 1932, the entire business was left to Mr Tusting, who carried it on with conspicuous success despite recent ill health. Always a keen sportsman, Mr Tusting divided what leisure he had between fishing and bowls. He was a vice-president of the Rushden and District Angling Association, who have reason to remember his generosity and wise counsel, and he was also a member of the Rushden Town Bowling Club. Mr Tusting came to Rushden from Newton Bromswold, where his father, Mr J T Tusting had a farm. Mr Tusting senior, who died in Norfolk two years ago, was formerly in business as a merchant and farmer in Thrapston, and later he had a grocery business in Rushden, his shop being in the High-street on the site of premises now occupied by Messrs E Abington and Sons. He leaves a widow and two sons, Mr Robert Tusting and Mr Donald Martin Tusting. There were no children by his first marriage. He married his second wife, Miss Vernon, of Northampton, in 1912. The funeral will take place at Rushden cemetery on Monday afternoon, at 2.20, following cremation.