The personality associated with it is that of Bob Pickard, and the fruits of Bob's expertise and enthusiasm are to be seen every day in numerous homes.

Bob was to curtains what Harry Ramsden was to fish and chips; nothing but the best would do, and when he arrived on a house visit to measure up, his customers would soon be aware of it.

His friendliness and cheerful manner were beguiling, but the dedication was soon apparent, and was at its most impressive when he arrived with the newly-made curtains and was hanging them with his customary meticulous care.

His enthusiasm was flattering; the home might be modest, but to Bob it was worthy of his best. And once a customer, always a customer – even to the second generation. So there are couples who Bob made curtains for, and when their children grew up and got their own homes, Bob made the curtains for them, too.

One Leeds couple bought a flat in London, and Bob was the man who made the curtains for it, and went to London to hang them; another couple moved from Leeds to Scotland, and Bob was the man they sent for.

When the new stand at York Racecourse was being given its finishing touches, it was Bob of Dawsons who was given the contract to do the curtains

There was, then, a very profound sense of loss when Bob, who was 63, died from a heart attack while on holiday in the Dordogne.

He loved his work, partly because it brought him into contact with people, partly because he valued the privilege of being trusted by his customers, and partly because it allowed him to do something really well, and he did work – from 8.30am until early evening, depending on the number of house calls he had to make at the end of the day.

But he still managed to play badminton a few nights a week – he was a member of Horsforth and Collingham Grange badminton clubs – and he always tried to find time for a weekly bicycle ride with some of his friends. Getting out into to the Dales was reward enough, but on top of that was the wildlife to be seen. Bob liked game fishing as well, but had rather few opportunities for it.

He was brought up in Rawdon and went to Fulneck School and Benton Park where he was a champion sprinter – very competitive – and he played hockey for a local team.

When he left school, he joined his father's business. Philip Pickard gave his middle name of Dawson to the business, and he taught young Bob his craft. Bob's twin brother, George, meantime, became a carpet designer.

In 1968, Bob married his sweetheart Elaine Buckley. They took to caravanning for their holidays, and some 12 years ago discovered the delights of the Dordogne, returning there every summer.

This year they had bought a new caravan and a new car, in anticipation of a more relaxed life following Bob's planned retirement in the not-too-distant future.

Once more in the Dordogne for their summer holiday, the day following his ruby wedding anniversary Bob had gone for a bicycle ride with a group of cyclists whom he met every year at that camp site; they had got to the top of a long but not very arduous climb, and on the descent, Bob was seen to fall off.

He had suffered a catastrophic heart attack. He is survived by his wife Elaine and their daughters Caroline and Michelle, and a granddaughter.