Obituary: Hari Sutherland

Published on: 14 Jan, 2024
Updated on: 14 Jan, 2024

Hari Sutherland in the bar named after him

Hari Sutherland, former Students’ Union general manager, passed away on December 16 2023.

Hari joined the University in 1966, from the Lyons organisation, and was part of the pioneering team of staff responsible for launching the new Guildford campus.

While originally working from an army-style field kitchen, when Senate House opened, Hari was responsible for the bars on the 3rd and 4th floor (the staff and student bars).

When Union House opened in 1972, Hari was seconded to manage the bars and catering in the Students’ Union. A temporary arrangement that lasted until retirement.

In his time there, Hari opened the Lower Bar (now home to Youngs Kitchen and the Basement), the Union Lounge (now Rubix), and his beloved Chancellors Bar.

With some planning foresight, he insisted that Chancellors was built with sufficient foundations to build an additional floor, which was then added in 1996 and named in his honour on his retirement in 1997.

Those who worked with him, will always remember his attention to detail and commitment to fantastic service as he hosted those who lunched at Chancellors. He was a passionate supporter of students and was a formidable force when working with the SU president.

Hari was hugely proud of his work at the university, and the Students’ Union, and maintained strong links with campus throughout his retirement, as well as friendships with many former staff and students.

During his increasingly frequent visits to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Hari would light up when he saw the University of Surrey logo on a staff members uniform, and ask them how much they enjoyed the university – but more importantly, how is the food?

Hari Sutherland’s funeral will be held at 2pm on Friday, January 26 at Guildford Cathedral, and all who knew him are welcome, and also to remember him afterwards at Haris Bar in the Students’Union. Please wear colour.

Responses to Obituary: Hari Sutherland

Bibhas Neogi Reply

January 14, 2024 at 9:44 pm

Sorry to learn of Hari’s passing. I remember him very well during my post-graduate years between 1968 and 1972. Hari was a kind and a very helpful man. He used to give students shifts behind the bars and also helped with Student Union activities.

The bar was quite small then on the third floor of Senate House with Table tennis and snooker table on the fourth floor. As we know now the facilities have been much improved with the building of the Union House and catering facilities.

My wife also worked for a while at the University in the early seventies and got to know Hari very well. We would attend Hari’s funeral to say good-bye to a passionate supporter of students.