by Sam Rkaina

Tributes have been paid to one of the leading lights of Bristol's Indian community, who has died aged 76.

Bhupinder Luther was born in 1932 in Nairobi, Kenya, one of six children.

He came to this country in 1967 and quickly made Easton in Bristol his home.

Never taking off his trademark trilby hat, the grandfather of 14 became a familiar and friendly face in the city.

For more than 40 years he dedicated his life to bringing communities together, stood for local elections and was involved with a number of organisations in Bristol to strengthen race relations.

In 1972 he became a member of the Bristol Indian Association, which had been founded in 1870.

He became a vice chairman and then chairman after the first year.

He stood as a Liberal candidate in 1974 for Eastville.

In the early 1980s Mr Luther was the chairman of the Raja Ram Mohan Roy committee. Roy was a religious and social reformer in India who moved to Bristol in his later life and died in Stapleton in 1883.

The committee was set up to mark the 150th anniversary of Roy's death. Mr Luther planted a tree in his memory at Brunswick Square, and since then a statue has been installed at College Green.

In 1997 he was also a key figure in organising the city's celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Indian independence.

Earlier this year Mr Luther was presented with the first annual lifetime of service award by the deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol Peter Abraham.

The award was given out by Punjabi Forum International, of which he was also a member, for Mr Luther's community work.

Mr Luther was married to his wife Bimla and had four daughters and two sons. His son Kiran paid loving tribute to his father, explaining that as one of the few Asians in Bristol in the 1960s he faced some tough times.

He said: "It was a tough life. I grew up in Bristol and we faced a lot of problems but he faced them head on and challenged every thing.

"He was the head of our family. He made us a success. I now live in the Netherlands and have worked all over the world.

"When we first came over there were not many Asians, but he tried to organise functions to bring them together.

"He's done a hell of a lot not just for the Indian community, but also the Bristol community.

"He was not an extremist – he was not one to say you can't do this.

"My father was a very humorous guy. He used to light up a room.

"He never took his hat off, and neither did his father. That's where he got it from."

Speaking to the Bristol Evening Post earlier this year, Mr Luther said: "I never take off the hat. I was at a dinner party and someone said 'can you take off the hat', and I said never. If you want me to walk out I'll walk out."

He also spoke about his theories on bringing communities together.

"Punjabi Forum International's main aim is to bring people together to improve knowledge between Indians and the English.

"I think the way to do that is to meet in social gatherings.

"It's not right to say you're not going to mix with people.

"I enjoy living in Bristol. Where else should I go after 30 years and all that I have here."

Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol, Peter Abraham, said: "It is quite a shock that he has died. He was a light in the Indian community and one of the father figures. He was a great 'honorary Bristolian', who brought communities together in a very quiet and reserved manner.

"People like him are few and far between. He was somebody who had great wisdom and was able to bridge age gaps as well."

Mr Luther died on November 28 and his funeral was held at Canford Crematorium followed by a service at Bristol's Sikh Temple.

You can pay your own tribute to Mr Luther at Lasting Tribute.