Chandler had a long and varied career in the industry. After studying mechanical engineering at Leeds University, he set up a small screen printing business within Dartford Motors, a family-owned Kent business run by his father.
He produced graphics and exhibition materials, and thanks to a serendipitous chance meeting Chandler became a supplier to Crosfield Electronics, which at the time was a world leader in pre-press systems and press controls.
He went on to become the manager of Crosfield’s marketing and exhibitions department and spent more than 20 years at the company, from 1972-1994, during a period when there was a hectic calendar of local and international trade shows.
Former Crosfield managing director Jim Salmon commented: “He was such a wonderful, cheerful, creative and capable guy. Dave was widely respected throughout our whole print and graphics related industry, but especially among the Crosfield alumni. In Crosfield he contributed so much to the building and creation of Crosfield's strong image around the world.”
In December 1994, Chandler took on the new role of managing director at specialist graphic arts PR and marketing communications company The Bespoke Agency in Surrey.
Eric Bell, a long-term client during his tenure as marketing director at Goss International, said: “From a client perspective having Dave Chandler on the team gave us an edge, he was the ultimate all-rounder. Professional, articulate, creative, interesting, supportive, fun, a motivator with an amazing attention to detail but at the same time a true blue-sky thinker.
“Dave would engage with every project, issue or opportunity we threw at him with total commitment and he had the respect of people across the entire Goss business.”
Chandler retired in the spring of 2016. He died at the end of last month after a long illness.
His legacy at Bespoke was summarised by current managing director Ben Dodson: “Dave’s passing marks a very sad day for our company. Much of who we are today, as both communication professionals and people, has been influenced by Dave’s kind personality, creativity, supportive and measured management style and his vision for a customer-centric service offering. Dave will be much missed, but his legacy lives long within our business and the many people he influenced.”
After retiring, Chandler pursued his lifelong love of sailing with his long-term partner and soulmate Fiona Rasburn. He lived close to Chichester harbour and had a treasured Hanse 34ft yacht named ‘Finona’.
He leaves a son Simon, a granddaughter Lilly Mae and is survived by his mother Betty and brother Simon.
Donations in Chandler’s memory can be made to CancerWise, St Wilfrid's Hospice, or the RNLI.
A private funeral will be held later this month.
