More than 300 people will celebrate the life of a popular headteacher whose “zest for life” and passion for history inspired generations of pupils at Watford Grammar School for Boys.

Neil Hart, 74, from Parkside Drive, spent his whole 35-year career at the school, becoming headmaster for 12 months before his retirement in 1994.

He later became chairman of governors at Chater Infant School However, after treatment for a brain tumour in November last year, he fell ill again in May this year. He passed away at University College Hospital, London, on August 9.

He leaves his wife Pamela, daughters Jane, Kate and Polly, and six grandchildren.

Originally from Hampshire, Mr Hart began his teaching career under headmaster Harry Rée at Watford Boys' in September 1959.

He coached the First XI cricket team, commanded the Army section of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and was a senior history master.

In 1977, six of his history pupils won places at Cambridge University with awards.

Mr Hart, a graduate from Southampton University, later became head of the upper school, second deputy headmaster and then second master, before becoming headmaster for one year, in 1993/4.

Mrs Hart, 74, also worked at the Rickmansworth Road school after answering her husband's call for help in the school office and stayed for 20 years, becoming the bursar in 1979.

They both took early retirement in 1994.

She said: “Neil had originally said we would only be in Watford for three years. It's turned out to be a very long three years.”

The couple spent 60 years together after meeting as 14-year-olds at the same Eastleigh grammar school, quickly becoming inseparable.

They married in 1960 and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in April this year.

“We were always together,” said Mrs Hart. “We joined all the school clubs. We were both passionate about history, debating, the Young Farmers' Club. We did all those things together.

“He was a fantastic cricketer and played for Hampshire Colts. When we moved to Watford he played in the Herts Minor Counties league.”

Mr Hart was also a talented goalkeeper and went on trial with Southampton, only to follow his academic studies on the advice of his father.

His association with Watford Boys' didn't finish in retirement, however, as he became a trustee of the two Watford grammar schools and wrote the history of the schools to mark their third centenary in 2005.

He was also appointed chairman of governors at Chater Infant School, in Southsea Avenue, and gave history lectures at schools across the country for 16 years.

The former Rickmansworth Cricket Club member – a “very fast bowler” - was also an examiner for the Oxford and Cambridge Exam Board for the last 40 years, later becoming chief examiner for A-Level history.

He only resigned as chief examiner for the Pre-U exams in May this year due to ill health.

Mr Hart was also a member of West Herts Golf Club and held a season ticket at Watford Football Club for more than 20 years, although his “first love” was Southampton FC.

A wine connoisseur, he spoke fluent French and helped with a friend's wine business before being head-hunted to become commissioner of public appointments, in charge of interviewing candidates vying to become chairmen of hospital trusts. He also worked as an education consultant.

Mrs Hart said: “Watford was his first school – he just loved the place. There was a great sense of fun there. We were all very good friends.

“He had an enormous zest for life and a deep love of people. He just loved talking to people. He was a very talented gardener and a regular communicant at St Michael and All Angels Church.”

Daughter Jane, assistant headteacher at Watford Grammar School for Girls, added: “He did so much. He was so busy and yet had time for everybody.”

Martin Post, the current headmaster at Watford Boys', was taught history in Year 7 by Mr Hart when he himself was a pupil at the school.

He said: “Neil was a great man and a great teacher. I can still remember the most fantastic stories about the historical background of Arthurian legend; he was a very learned man.

“He was a tremendous teacher and he was a massive influence over generations of students, not just through teaching but when he was head of Sixth Form and in charge of pastoral life and then as headmaster.

“He was always kind and really generous and he was held in real affection by everybody that was part of his community.”

Peter Waters, secretary of the Old Fullerians' Association for former Watford Boys' pupils, said the group owed Mr Hart a “great deal of gratitude”.

“He worked very hard for us as staff representative on the committee from 1974 to 1993, when he stood down because he took up the leadership for a year and became president,” said Mr Waters, who was taught by Mr Hart in the sixth form.

“We're most grateful to him for all his work. He was a very inspiring teacher. We shall miss him greatly.”

Mr Hart's funeral took place at West Herts Crematorium on Wednesday, ahead of a celebration of his life at St Michael and All Angels Church, in Mildred Avenue, at 2pm next Thursday, August 26.

Donations to the Lymphoma Research Trust can be made at www.justgiving.com/njrhart or cheques can be sent to The Lymphoma Research Trust, 5th floor East, 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG.