1947-2026
Honda UK’s former motorcycle general manager Bob McMillan, who rose from field rep to the ranks of the industry’s elite, died on 22 June aged 78 after a long illness. A bike cop from 1969 to 1979, he was also an advanced-level police motorcycle instructor. His duties for Stoke City and Staffordshire County police included M6 patrols.
A motorcycle enthusiast, he attended races and off-road events before securing a role as a Honda northern area dealer rep in 1979, Honda being his marque of choice. His talents quickly saw him rise to national sales manager, then to general manager in 1986, a post he held until his retirement in 2006. His responsibilities included sales and racing, both on- and off-road.
“Bob joined Honda when the market was very good, with more than 800 dealers and ten area managers,” says Bruno Tagliaferri, Honda’s marketing manager at the time. “He was an exceptional area manager, very supportive of dealers, and a great salesman.
“He gave dealers a voice at Chiswick (Honda HQ, London) and went from strength to strength. He was very honest and up front, and he could stand up to the Japanese, which wasn’t easy.”
McMillan loved road racing, especially the Isle of Man TT, and Honda’s ace rider, Joey Dunlop, a 26-time TT winner. Bob delivered a eulogy at Joey’s funeral (July 2000), attended by more than 50,000 mourners.
In 2019, Bob suffered a serious motorcycle accident. Injuries included a fractured skull, leg, arm, ribs and a punctured lung. He said the quality of his riding kit saved his life.
Daughter Suzanne Potts said the family has been moved by the outpouring of emotion and respect for Bob. “A man of immense warmth, loyalty, character, and professional acumen” is typical of the tributes.
Bob leaves wife Sandra, son Steve, daughter Suzanne, two grandsons and a great-grandson.
The family welcomes as many of Bob’s friends as possible, plus motorcycles, to his funeral on Thursday, 23 July, twelve noon at St Giles Church, Haughton, near Stafford ST18 9EX. The wake is at Gnosall Family Sports and Social Club. Dress code is optional with a dash of Honda red.
A full obituary will be published in the August issue of BDN.