Retired businessman and former town councillor Alexander C. (Sandy) Rutherford, has died at his home in St Andrews. He was 91.
Mr Rutherford retired to St Andrews with his wife Wilma in 1969 after a career in the concrete industry.
He was a noted inventor and pioneered everything from surface water drainage systems and reflective road signs to wide-wheeled caddie carts for golfers.
Born in Kilmacolm, Mr Rutherford moved to Lenzie with his family and was educated at Glasgow Academy and Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh.
His first job was working with an insurance firm in Glasgow, but his civilian career was interrupted by the outbreak of the second world war.
He was commissioned into the 54th Queen’s Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry and served in France, before later joining the 13th Anti-Tank Regiment.
His service ended after he contracted tuberculosis.
Mr Rutherford then joined the Guardian Society of Scotland, later forming Safeticurb Ltd which pioneered surface water drainage systems and Solway Products (Glasgow) Ltd, both of which he eventually bought over.
He served on Kirkintilloch and Dunbartonshire councils, and was later elected to St Andrews Town Council, continuing to maintain his interest in local politics long into his 80s.
Mr Rutherford loved golf and was a life member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, and served for many years as a trustee of the Robert T. Jones Memorial Trust.
His contribution to golf in general and St Andrews in particular was recognised by the R&A. At a club dinner he was presented with a quaich by past captain Sir Michael Bonallack to mark his efforts.
Also in St Andrews, Mr Rutherford served as a member and chairman of the congregational board of Holy Trinity Parish Church and was associated with several other local organisations.
He is survived by his wife.