Please use the drop-down menus to select the year of graduation. You can send notifications of passing and your obituaries toalumni-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk.
If you'd like to explore making a donation in memory of a loved one or how you can remember them on campus, please contact inmemory@nottingham.ac.uk.
Year of graduation
2020 to present
2021
Edward Andrew Richardson, Modern European History - 7 October 2023
2023
Parameswaran (Hari) Narayanan, Sports and exercise medicine - 30 December 2023
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2010 to 2019
2010
William Eyssautier, Infrastructure - 2017
Richard Garner, Philosophy - 11 June 2011
Stephen James Hamilton, Music - May 2012
Donald Hartley, Combined Studies - March 2017
Robin Augustin Lo, Music - 30 July 2012
Charles Anthony Sangster, Viking Studies - April 2013
Johanna Stapleton, French and Francophone Studies - August 2010
Dr John Warnock, Honorary Degree - 19 August 2023
For a full obituary, please seeThe Guardian
2011
Said Alzebda, Electrical and Electronic Engineering - December 2023
Dr Said Alzebda was a highly regarded student in Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at the University of Nottingham and began a Qur'an school in the local community in Nottingham.Upon his return to Palestine, Dr Said joined the University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS) in Gaza. He went on to found and direct the UCAS Technology Incubator Hub, UCASTI. He started the Technology Incubator Hub with two employees. It then grew to become the biggest technology hub in Palestine. UCASTI provided a dynamic and collaborative environment, offering mentorship, skill development, funding opportunities, networking events, and market access support to propel startups toward success. Hundred of young entrepreneurs and researchers benefited from the hub. His success story led the board of trustees of UCAS University to persuade him to become the president of the University. He became the youngest president of any University in Palestine. During his presidency, in less than 3 years, the number of students had doubled. UCAS opened new modern courses, attracting high profile academics, opening new labs, and renovating the university facilities.On 31 December 2023, Said, his wife Ikram Ghanem, also an alumna of the university, and their 3 children Ezzedine, Intisar and Sumaya were all killed in the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. A great loss to humanity that will never be forgotten by those who are blessed to have known them.This brief obituary has been kindly supplied by colleagues friends of Dr Alzebda.
Emma Beal, Animal Science - 28 September 2017
Emma became ill during her finals and was subsequently diagnosed with an adult-onset genetic condition called mitochondrial disease. Just before she died, Emma was instrumental in setting up a charity www.mymitomission.uk to raise awareness and funds for research for this little-known illness, which is nonetheless one of the most common genetic conditions. Emma’s legacy also extends to aiding research via her express wish to donate tissue to medical science after her death, exemplifying her inspirational generosity of spirit, kindness and courage. Obituary kindly supplied by Emma's mother Christine Beal and father Peter Beal.
Ikram Ghanem, Management of Information Technology - December 2023
Ikram Ghanem was born in June 1982 and was killed on 31st December 2023 in the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, along with her husband, Said A. Alzebda, and three children, Ezzedine, Intisar, and Sumaya. Her journey from Gaza to Nottingham and back again tells a story of hope, sacrifice, dedication, love for life, success, and resilience. Ikram and her husband moved to Nottingham in 2006, where they pursued academic goals at the University of Nottingham - her husband for his PhD, and she later joined for her Master's degree in the hope of enhancing her chances of working and supporting her family in Gaza. During their stay, the city of Nottingham and the spaces at the University of Nottingham became the backdrop to some of the family's happiest moments, as the couple nurtured their young family and forged lasting memories in its parks and communities. Recognising Ikram, not only acknowledges her and her family's tragic end, but also reaffirms the value of every member of the University of Nottingham's global alumni community. Finally, my friend Ikram honoured the University of Nottingham in her ongoing reflections and memories, cherishing and sharing photos of her children in the university's park, and listing the University of Nottingham as one of her alma maters on her Facebook profile. She tragically left this world, and despite all the horror she felt before she was killed, her final chosen Facebook cover picture still depicted the Jubilee Campus from which she graduated.This obituary has been kindly supplied by friends of Ms Ghanem.
Thomas Johnstone, Medicinal and Biological Chemistry - 20 August 2016
Sheila Omuri, Economics - 28 June 2011
Stuart Tyrer, Archaeology - 10 April 2012
YuanQi Wu, Biological Photography and Imaging - 3 February 2023
YuanQi Wu graduated from the MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging in 2011 and returned to China. He became a leading voice in creating and producing Chinese wildlife projects. He worked with other alumni such as Xinyang Hong on the wildlife of Tibet and went on to develop professional links with many internationally renowned documentary makers such as Jacky Poon and Mark Fletcher among others. A number of his projects have been nominated for and won awards. These included Mystery Monkeys of Shangri-La which was been nominated for the 2016 Emmy Award for outstanding nature programming category and Pandas: Born to be Wild, which premiered in October 2020 and was nominated for the Wildlife Film Festival (Rotterdam) award. This included the first footage of wild pandas mating.He was a strong proponent of conservation and made use of his position to encourage the conservation and preservation of the natural world. His legacy was important and significant and he is greatly missed.Obituary provided by Tom Hartman,Programme Chair, MSc Biological Photography and Imaging,Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences.
2012
Adeyanju Charles-Eigbe, Education - March 2012
Celia Clayton, Biological Photography and Imaging - April 2020
Emma-Louise Fletcher, Psychology - 9 May 2012
Sahil Malde, Pharmacy - 12 July 2023
Ariel Olson, Biology - 20 April 2012
2013
Daniel Aslan, Manufacturing Engineering - 29 March 2017
Emma Cole, English - May 2017
Dr Oswald ("Ossie") Newell MBE, Honorary Degree - 2020
For a full obituary, please seeThe Guardian
Rosalie Samuel, Counselling
Matthew Stansfield, Mathematics - 2015
Adam Stanfield, Sociology - 9 July 2012
Victor Tudorica, Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry - 24 February 2016
2014
Prinka 'Pinky' Chumba, Mental Health Nursing - 8 September 2017
Ishan Patel, Business and Economy of Contemporary China
2015
Hannah Browning, Modern Languages with Business - 11 May 2018
Michael Ridley, English - February 2019
2016
Siân Hewitt, Cultural Sociology - 6 April 2019
Siân died in hospital, very suddenly, after a short illness. Following her studies at Nottingham she completed a Masters at Leicester University sponsored by the Wellcome Trust. In addition to her successful studies she volunteered throughout her undergraduate years for Phab and Intouniversity helping disadvantaged children. She continued to work with a number of charities after she graduated. Siân had recently started a new career with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Siân remained very close to friends she made at Nottingham University.Obituary kindly supplied by Siân's mother Kath.
2017
Professor Edward Cocking DSc FRS, Honorary Degree - 2023
2018
Francesco Berti, Medicine - March 2023
James Howard, History - 2023
2019
Robert Curtis, Geography - August 2020
Described by his teachers as an ‘unusually exceptional student’, two core passions of Robbie’s were philosophy and travelling, which he put into practice in his gap year when he spent time in Sri Lanka and India. Robbie also had a huge concern for environmental issues, apparent from the age of 12 when, by selling his toys on the beach, he collected enough money to save a few acres of Amazon rainforest. The R World Foundation is now established in his honour, dedicated to improving our world by targeting mental health and international development, two causes close to Robbie’s heart. Robbie Curtis passed away on 17 August 2020.
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2000– 2009
2000
Dr (Deirdre) Diane Beale, Applied Psychology - 4 March 2016
Lucy Booth, Behavioural Science
Richard Dunham, Engineering - 2011
Donald Ebohon, Law - 22 June 2010
Natalie Flewitt, Art History - 2007
Christopher Gibson, Politics - March 2008
Former University student Christopher Gibson died March 2008 of a brain tumour, aged 29. Chris graduated from the University of Nottingham July 2000 with a BA Honours Degree in Politics. He went on to study at the University of Luton where he was admitted to the Degree of Master of Science with Distinction in Internet Technologies in 2005. Chris worked as a Systems Analyst in Leeds until the summer of 2007.
Throughout his illness Chris remained positive and continued to pursue his passions of travel, green issues, cricket and real ale. During what was to be his final months Chris worked on the web site of Manorlands Hospice, where he attended as a day patient. The Mascot Gold Cup Charity Race held at Wetherby Race Course in April 2008 was dedicated to Chris' memory. Chris will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.Obituary kindly supplied by Chris' parents Sue and Richard Gibson.
Louisa Hanson, Nursing
Daniel Haxell, Mathematics - 1 July 2006
Fatt Kwang Kew, Mechanical Engineering - 8 October 2011
Stephanie Kirby, Nursing - August 2011
Katherine MacKenzie, Urban Planning and Management - October 2015
Paul Richardson, Environmental Life Science - 2009
Donna Rix, Human Genetics - June 2018
Helen Snelders, Philosophy - August 2008
Tonko Viel, Continuing Professional Development and School Imp - March 2006
2001
Mary Arthur, Archaeology - November 2008
Graeme Bell, Executive Version - 14 April 2011
Rosalia Carnero, Psychology
Anne Chambers, Local and Regional History
David Culpin, Continuing Education
Wendy Edmunds, British and Irish Art - 30 October 2007
Janet Faulkner, English Studies - 24 June 2010
Alexander Gardener, Physics
Dr Alexander Gardener completed a Physics degree, and continued his education with a Masters and a PhD at Nottingham. After completing his PhD, Alex worked in the Peter Mansfield Centre, undertaking research until he left for pastures new at Oxford University. Before he passed away, Alex was Head of Physics at a secondary school in Cheshire. Obituary kindly supplied by his sister, Amy Walsh.
Claire Hopkin, Occupational Psychology - August 2018
Anthony Howard, Hon LLD - 19 December 2010
Angus Hutchison-Brown, Computer Science - May 2008
Whilst living life to the full in Switzerland, has recently died due to a tragic accident.
Nicholas Platts, Economics
Alan Reffold, Civil Engineering - 2008
Christopher Thompson, Neuroscience - 4 September 2005
Timothy (Tim) Weston, Chemistry – 19 December 2021
Timothy Weston who studied for a MSci at Nottingham from 1997–2001 died of brain cancer on December 19 aged 43. Tim grew up living with his parents Janet and Philip and sister Alex in Kent. He always showed great curiosity and did well at primary school. Afterwards he went to The Judd School, Tonbridge where he made firm friendships, joined in outings, holidays and activities and played rugby for the school. He was also a Queen’s Scout and had been a champion at the local chess club.
Tim was awarded a place at Nottingham University where he was in Cripps Hall studying for a MSci in Chemistry. After graduating he followed a successful IT career initially starting with a local firm which had given him holiday work. He travelled all over the country providing technical support involving installing and training in voice recording equipment.
Unfortunately, just over two years later at the end of 2003 he was diagnosed with a brainstem glioma. Fortunately, the tumour was very indolent at first and he remained stable for a long time enabling him to lead a very full life working in Hong Kong and Singapore for seven years. He covered Asia, travelling widely both for work and pleasure with some energy thinking nothing of going to Australia, Cambodia or Japan for a long weekend. He became a leading light in the ex-pat community and made lasting friendships, enjoying a real gift for keeping up with people.
Tim returned to live in Tunbridge Wells five years ago after becoming sick and underwent radio and chemotherapy. This worked at first and he was able to travel to Australia and return to Hong Kong for his 40th birthday. But Tim became more ill during the last 18 months as the cancer spread and died at the Hospice in the Weald, Pembury. Tim fought his illness bravely, supported by his wonderful wife Zoe whom he met in Hong Kong. They married in Wakehurst Place, West Sussex with more guests from overseas than the UK. He always lived life to the full, making the best use of every opportunity coming his way. He enjoyed snooker and darts and above all was a keen Liverpool Football Club supporter.
Tim followed in his father’s Philip’s footsteps going to Nottingham (Physics 1971) although the idea of studying at the same place as his Dad nearly put him off applying! But the course and the campus won him over. Here he learned the value of serendipity when he accidentally used the wrong formula to make crystals and they turned out far more impressive than ever before… He greatly valued his time at Nottingham, was secretary of the bowling club and always interested in what was happening at the University. When he lived out for the last three years in Beeston, he had the same three housemates throughout. He kept in regular contact with them, and they all came to his memorial service in January. Obituary kindly supplied by Tim's mother Janet Weston.
2002
Judith Barlow, Problem-Centred Interventions - December 2011
Roger Cotter, Law - 16 May 2011
Jane Dawson, Business Administration - 13 June 2006
George Gretton, Law with Chinese Law - August 2018
John Hogarth, Local History - 2023
Brian Jones, Local History - 1 September 2008
Philip Owen, Local and Regional History - 24 May 2020
Dr Sally Pollard (Chappell, néePlummer), Clinical Laboratory Sciences - 16 June 2017
David Pool, Building Environment Engineering - 31 May 2018
Graham Shaw, Art History - May 2016
Ann-Marie Shirley (née Ward), Modern European Studies - August 2020
Ann-Marie was a much loved and well-respected primary school teacher. She died from cancer in August 2020, leaving behind her husband and son. She will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.Obituary kindly supplied by Ann-Marie's husband Alex.
2003
Natalia Bergier, Ancient History and Archaeology - 3 September 2013
Jamal Bidour, Business and Management - 6 July 2011
Ken Brand, Honorary Degree - 17 January 2022
Isabelle Drew, Visual Arts
Rox Dixon, Russian - 6 December 2010
Tim Morris, Economics - 22 January 2012
Anya Peftibay, Management Studies - 2017
Mary Sheard, Education - 26 July 2014
Tribute and biography at theUniversity of York.
Pam York, Local and Regional History - 11 September 2019
Pam had suffered from myeloma for a number of years and sadly passed away on 11th September 2019 in Ashgate Hospice near Chesterfield.Obituary kindly supplied by Cliff York.
2004
Dr Mark Asquith, Biology - 7 June 2019
Cheryl Barnard, Education - March 2009
Anne-Gaelle Dupouy, Management - 16 September 2013
Jacqueline Emery, Medicine
Roger Hurt, Local History - 2013
Dr Edward Llewellyn-Jones, Theology - 25 January 2021
Gareth Lockyer, Mechanical Engineering - February 2014
Danny Lynham, Chemistry - 30 August 2012
Hayden Miles, Geography Business and the Environment - 12 October 2021
Frances Morris, Theological and Pastoral Studies - 2013
Lesley Nightingale (née Etches), Nursing - 26 November 2012
Dr Christopher Robinson, Archaeology - 29 April 2017
Sarah Stark, Nursing
Paul Winstone, Theological and Pastoral Studies - 2006
2005
John Abnett, Civil Engineering - May 2008
Alexander Baker, German and History - 1 August 2015
Katherine Courts, French Studies - 10 March 2006
Michelle Denyer (née Rigley), Psychosocial Interventions - 2 October 2009
Dr Xiang Lin, Chemistry
Joseph Miller, Law - 1 December 2016
David Pearce, Adult Critical Care - 11 January 2010
Jacquelynne Peterson (née Hynd), Combination Studies - 7 November 2007
Mary Pratt (née Johnstone), Children's Health Care (Mental Health)
Dr Lee Stapleton, Environmental Modelling - 11 June 2021
Richard Waddington, Electronic and Computer Engineering - 4 December 2009
Joanna Wright, Civil Engineering - 2006
2006
John Bacon, Agriculture - May 2008
Valerie Coslett (née Dearmun), Nursing - January 2018
Sarah Gamble, Nursing - 23 July 2010
Margaret Herrington, PhD, Education - 2022
My mother, Margaret Herrington, who has died aged 75, was a literacy tutor and academic who promoted a better understanding of dyslexia.
She started working life as a lecturer in further education colleges in Leicester, but spent much of her early career (1977-90) as an adult literacy tutor on the tough estates in the city. She combined this with setting up adult literacy conferences and courses in the Midlands.
Before long she was organising nationally - she helped establish RaPAL, a national network of research and practice in adult literacy - and in the 90s set up some of the first student support centres in universities, including at Leicester and Nottingham. She was a passionate believer in lifelong learning: later in life she completed an MEd (1987) and a PhD (2007) at Nottingham University.
Margaret also developed approaches on how best to train teachers and lecturers in adult literacy. This work led to conferences overseas, external examiner roles, books and articles. She ended her career as visiting professor of education at the University of Wolverhampton, from 2003 to 2009. Throughout her life, she used her sharp intellect to improve the situation of vulnerable young adults who had previously been written off.
She was born in Wigan, to Edith (nee Aspinall), a seamstress, and Jim Pey, a retail manager. After leaving the local Notre Dame high school, she graduated in 1967 in history and economics as part of the initial intake at Lancaster University. She met Paul Herrington there; they married in 1967 and moved to Leicester, and Margaret completed a PGCE in 1968.
My mother juggled bringing up four children with a determined and passionate approach to adult literacy, student support and opening up conversations about dyslexia in adults, in which she became an expert.
She embraced life fully and was deeply curious about the world. Her foray into amateur dramatics in the 1970s was part of a love of theatre and the arts; she also travelled widely, inspiring her children to do likewise.
She supported village life, treasured many friendships and often created a huge mess with her grandchildren. Later in life, she wrote to politicians and corporations with a regular stream of advice.
Paul died in 2019. Margaret is survived by her children, Kate, Nancy, Damian and me, her grandchildren, Daisy, Simeon, Florence and Eve, and her siblings, Joe, Anne and Jimmy.Obituary provided byDominic Herrington.
Charles Hurt, Local History
Graham Mclellan, Nursing
Chetan Patel, Chemistry - August 2010
Stephen Roberts, Nursing - 21 August 2017
It is with a heavy heart we have to inform the School of Nursing Students of 0309 Cohort (Adult Branch) the passing of a much loved personality. Stephen Roberts (19/6/56) passed away peacefully on the 21st August 2017 surrounded by his family.Obituary kindly supplied by classmate Robbie Simmons
The Reverend Alan Sell, Philosophy and Theology - February 2016
Jeremy Warren, Entrepreneurship - August 2012
2007
Helen Applegarth, Combined Studies - 1st May 2010
Gillian Barton, Combined Studies - February 2011
Stephen Bradshaw, Counselling - 1 November 2009
William Bridges, Classics - May 2009
Abigail (Aby) Cairns (née Holmes), Midwifery - 14 June 2018
Rory Fraser, Oncology
Joanna Ingram, Pastoral and Theological Studies - 2015
Kathryn Phipps, Physiotherapy - 30 March 2008
Simon Rowley, Counselling - 15 June 2009
2008
Michael Bristow, Education - 17 March 2008
James Bullock, Human Genetics - 20 March 2012
Swantje-Juliane Harder, Politics and International Relations - 2023
Victoria Johnson, Law - 5 January 2009
Alan Lyons, Institute of Work Health and Organisations - 2010
Michael Pedder, Chemistry - 2 January 2012
Christopher Puddifoot, Film Studies - 10 November 2009
Nicola Sherrington, Medicine - 13 September 2011
Edgar Tarr, History
Sean Zeelie, Clinical Psychiatry - 13 September 2010
2009
Abdalla Elzaidabi, Architecture - 11 October 2010
Dr Jack Gibson, Epidemiology and Public Health - 2022
Michael Grundy, Finance, Accounting and Management - 8 September 2013
Adam Jephson, International Business - 11 August 2016
William Lovell, Music - 30 March 2014
Philip Saravanamuttu, Industrial Economics - 2012
Patricia Thornton-Houser, Education - 2010
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1990– 1999
1990
Michael Cane, Architecture
Peter Douglas, Education - 30 April 2010
Pamela Hunt, Education - 31 March 2021
Allan James, Geography
Alan SC Linney
Mark McCartney, Medicine - 2010
Brenda Noreys, Education
Thomas Peltier, Electrical Engineering - 2003
W Gordon Smedsrud, Occasional Student - 20 January 2004
Helen Suzman, Honorary Degree
Derwyn Thomas, Pharmacology - 15 January 2014
Peter Tyrrel - 30 September 2011
Kathleen Walker, (née Duggan), Education - 22 May 2006
Fiona Williams (née Woolfenden), Sociology - 25 September 2009
Pamela Zasada, Education
1991
David Amstel, Politics
Stephen Andrews, Local and Regional History - 14 April 2006
Chooi-Leng Ang, Information Technology
Joyce (Tricia) Collins - July 2022
Nichola Gorton, English - November 2011
Anthony Hall, Russian - 24 February 2011
Maximillian Halliwell, Chemistry/Material Sciences
Karen Knowles, Production Engineering
Sir Charles Mackerras, Honorary Degree - 14 July 2010
For a full obituary please seeThe Guardian
Ronald North, Education - 2020
Raymond Port, Education - 23 April 2009
Deborah Rogers (née Stainer), Agriculture and Food Sciences - 1 September 2010
Alan Salmon, Electrical Engineering - 2023
Richard Sewter, Social Administration - 26 February 2008
Mark Smith, Biochemistry - 19 December 2010
Patrick Smith, Philosophy - December 2009
Professor James "Teddy" Thomas DLitt, Education - 11 July 2023
David Walker, Theology
Janet Whitlock - 2016
Neil Wood, History - 2020
1992
Kate Akers (nee Hagerty), Chemistry - February 2021
Kate passed away peacefully aged 49 on 1 February 2021 after a short battle with cancer. Kate spent three happy years at Nottingham, initially in Florence Nightingale then the Broadgate Flats and then a house in Dunkirk. She met her husband-to-be Mike at a concert in Wollaton Park and they married in 1998. Kate filled her time with her lifelong passions of nature, walking, gardening and tinkering with things and was an active supporter of many good causes. She leaves her husband Mike, her sister and parents.
Robert Alvey, Archaeology - 2018
Paul Condon, English - 10 May 2019
For a full obituary, please seeDr Who News
Stephen Cox, Education - September 2015
Frank Cunnane, Computer Science
Peter Edwards, Education - January 2013
Simon Mockett, Education - 17 September 2007
Leslie Sammons, Education - 30 November 2011
Alastair Senior, Mechanical Engineering - 2011
Olive Stephenson, Social Studies - 30 September 2013
Andrew Taylor, Economics - 15 December 2020
Dr Jenny Vaughan OBE, Medicine - 31 March 2024
Dr Jenny Vaughan passed away on Easter Sunday after a long battle with cancer. Following her graduation from Nottingham, she had a massive impact in the field of medicine and was awarded an OBE in 2023 for Services to Medicine. There is a tribute at the following link published by Doctor's Association UK (DAUK) and on several other media outlets including Twitter/X. We met at Nottingham in 1987 and married in 1993. She leaves her husband (now an NHS general surgeon) and two teenage boys. Obituary kindly supplied by Jenny's husband Matt Dunckley, Biology 1990.
Leslie Weeks, Counselling Studies
Ian White, Manufacturing and Operations Management - April 2008
Francisca Wong, Education - 27 May 2012
The Reverend David Wilde, Philosophy - 2017
1993
Dr Stephanie Allen-Patel, Pharmacy - 2023
Simon Beckett, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - 24 December 2008
Margaret Foster (née Thompson), Primary Health Care
Simon Johnson, Theology - 31 August 2018
Elizabeth McCartney, Education - May 2010
Dr Angela Kershaw Snape, French - 6 June 2018
For a full obituary, please see news item published by theUniversity of Birmingham
Alan Trevor Roberts, Construction Management - 2012
Ann Roberts (née Stirling), Education - February 2018
David Sharp, Mechanical Engineering - May 2006
Sheila Travis, American Studies
Jonathan Whitehouse, Civil Engineering
Anne Worrall, Primary Healthcare - 2011
1994
Michael Aikman
Dr Fidelis Akagbosu, Assisted Reproduction Technology - 26 July 2019
Fertility specialist Dr Fidelis Akagbosu passed away on July 26th, 2019 at the age of 64. Fidelis was a Nigerian who was passionate about helping people with infertility to conceive. He helped to establish the first IVF clinic (the Premier Medical Specialist Hospital) in Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, in 1996. The birth of the first IVF baby in this area of Nigeria followed in 1998. The Premier Medical Specialist Hospital went on to become the first clinic in Nigeria to introduce more advanced fertility techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to treat male infertility and embryo cryopreservation, leading to countless healthy babies being born.
Fidelis was born on April 24th, 1955 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He received his medical degree from Obafemi Awolowo University (University of Ife) in 1979. While in residency at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Fidelis married Dr Lilian Akagbosu (née Acholonu) in 1987. In 1990, they relocated to the UK and Fidelis passed his MRCOG exams in 1992.
To further his knowledge of infertility, Fidelis attained a Master’s degree in Assisted Reproduction Technology from the University of Nottingham in 1994. As an IVF expert, Fidelis then worked at the fertility clinic in the Fazakerley District General Hospital in Merseyside before moving to work with the team that pioneered IVF, at the Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridgeshire. It was during his time at Bourn Hall that he made plans to establish an IVF clinic in his homeland.
The setting up of IVF in Nigeria presented numerous challenges. However, working alongside Dr Ibrahim Wada and Dr Bryan Woodward, Fidelis performed the first IVF run of patients in June 1997, with three of the nine patients becoming pregnant, and the first IVF baby, Hannutu, being born on 11th February 1998.
Fidelis went on to help fellow fertility specialists to set up IVF clinics in Nigeria, most notably the Roding Medical Centre and George’s Memorial Medical Centre in Lagos State. He finally relocated to the USA where he worked in New York and Philadelphia. His last position was as an Attending Physician and Sub-Chief at the Kaiser Center for Reproductive Health in Fremont, California.
Fidelis was a prominent member of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in the USA, the RCOG in the UK and the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) in Nigeria. A tribute was held for Fidelis at this year’s annual conference of the AFRH, where the president acknowledged “Fidelis selflessly provided support for the establishment of a number of IVF centres in Nigeria and was a leading member of the team that recorded our early success. The history of IVF would not be complete without him”
Fidelis was a devoted father to his two children, and is survived by his daughter Dr Cynthia Akagbosu, his son Mr. Emmanuel Akagbosu, and his son-in-law Mr. Nathan Swire. Fidelis was the eleventh child of thirteen, of which he is survived by five: Sir Casimir Akagbosu, Mr. Anthony Akagbosu, Chief Engineer Stephen Akagbosu, Mrs. Maria Igbinedion, and Mr. John Akagbosu. He is pre-deceased by Dr. Lilian Akagbosu, his parents, and his siblings: Mr. Joseph Akagbosu, Mr. Thomas Akagbosu, Miss Cecelia Akagbosu, Mr. Peter Akagbosu, Mr. Paul Akagbosu, Mrs. Christiana Iruobe, and Miss Josephine Akagbosu.Obituary kindly supplied by Dr Bryan Woodward.
Neil Atkins, Chemistry - 29 December 2013
Edward Bailey, Social Policy and Administration - 1 April 2011
Sheila M Bannister, Combined Studies
Norma Brook, Healthcare Policy and Organisation - 31 December 2008
Helen Challener (née Coles), Education - 31 July 2006
Simon Dew, Civil Engineering - 2008
Professor Dame Elizabeth Fradd - 12 May 2024
Dame Liz devoted her professional life to the continuous improvement of healthcare. During her career, having trained as a children's nurse, she held a variety of registered nurse, midwife and health visitor posts before supporting the nursing profession nationally, becoming Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England and serving as Director of Nursing / Lead Director for reviews and inspections at the Commission for Health Improvement.
She was a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Queen’s Nursing Institute and the Institute of Health Visiting. In 2009 she was awarded the DBE for services to nursing and healthcare.
Her most recent roles included commissioner on the Midlands Engine Health Inequalities Post Covid Commission, Vice-Chair of the UK children's charity Together for Short Lives, membership of Southwell Cathedral Council and Nomination Committee and clinical advisor to Nourish. Previously, Dame Liz was the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire for 2020/21, Vice President of Rainbows Children’s Hospice, and an advisor to Justice Defenders.
Dame Liz was well known to our university community, having served as a University Council member from August 2009 until December 2018 and as University Vice-President from January 2012 through to the end of her tenure in December 2018. In addition, she was an honorary professor in the School of Health Sciences since 2000 to the present day and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the University in 2003.
Sadly, she died on Sunday 12 May on her 75th birthday, and the day that she was due to step down as her role as Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.
Michael Henderson, History - 3 October 2015
Michael attended King Edward VIth Grammar School in Louth, Lincolnshire before studying history at Nottingham University, graduating in 1994. For the first 2 years of the course, he was accommodated in Derby Hall when Rev. Douglas Davies was warden, and served as Vice President of the JCR in 1993-4 under Carlos Lopez. Here, he met his future wife, Anna Roberts, a medical undergraduate. They married in July 1996.
Michael completed a PGCE at Nottingham Trent University and went on to have a career of 19 years in primary school education, working in Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. During his career, he became Head Teacher of 3 schools: Edna G Olds Primary and Nursery School in Lenton Nottingham, Waltham on the Wolds CE Primary School in Leicestershire, and Grasby All Saints CE Primary School in Lincolnshire.
Michael and Anna enjoyed attending the Celebratory Dinner for the 50th Anniversary of Derby Hall in September 2013 and were delighted to meet Douglas Davies again on that occasion. Michael also recalled how, as Head Teacher at Edna G Olds Primary school in Lenton he was completely dismayed one morning to find the road outside the school covered in litter and broken glass, following a student society ball. Bearing in mind the risks posed to the schoolchildren, Michael made it his business to find out who the society president was, gather all the rubbish in black plastic sacks and dump it inside his hall bedroom!
His teaching and leadership skills were widely appreciated by colleagues, parents and pupils and he was a loving husband, son, brother and uncle, wonderful father and loyal friend. He was diagnosed with advanced and aggressive bowel cancer in August 2014, just a few months after moving back to his childhood home of Louth in Lincolnshire and taking up a new head teacher post at Grasby CE school. He leaves his wife, and son and daughter.Obituary kindly supplied by Michael's wife, Anna.
Cedric Langton, Health Services - 1 December 2011
Shaun Mosley, Mathematics
Craig Pentlow, Chemical Processing and Materials Engineering - 19 March 2016
Liam Shephard, Mathematics
Scott Wagland, Law - 2012
Joanne Wakeling, Geography
1995
Elizabeth Bailes, Genetics - 2002
Royston Bailey, Criminology - 5 February 2009
Luke Barrett, Philosophy/Psychology - 25 June 2014
Concepcion Beardall, Combined Studies - 14 March 2017
Alfred Brookes, Combined Studies - 2008
Keith Buckley, Combined Studies - January 2012
Clair Chilvers, Science - 28 June 2024
Emeritus Professor Clair Chilvers was a cancer epidemiologist and Professor of Epidemiology after being awarded her DSc from Nottingham in 1995. From 1996 to 1999 she was Dean of the university's Graduate School. In retirement, she was an active member of the Emeritus Professors’ community.Clair was also Chair of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and before that of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, one of the largest providers of mental health and learning disability services in England. She was formerly Director of the Mental Health Research and Development Portfolio at the Department of Health, and Director of the National Forensic Mental Health R&D Programme.
Clair was Chair of Mental Health Research UK from 2011 to 2021 and was a member of the Scholarship Awards Committee. She was a Trustee of the Centre for Mental Health, the Schizophrenia Research Fund, the Barnwood Trust, the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales, and the McPin Foundation. She was also a Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.
Dennis Clamp, Combined Studies - Feburary 2011
Eileen Cooper, Combined Studies - 9 April 2002
James Culling, Geography - November 2012
Rosemary Fasey, Russian/Spanish
Kate Fielding, Combined Studies - 1 January 2009
Joyce Foreman, Combined Studies - 12 October 2018
Andrew Fuller, Mechanical Engineering - 23 February 2020
Susan Gregg, Combined Studies - 2003
Robert Jones, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Psychology - December 2012
Richard Littlewood, Mathematics
Jonathan McCarthy, Transport Engineering
Tony Nutting, History - 22 April 2009
Derek Oliver, Highway Engineering
Kathleen Maude Shaw, Combined Studies - 17 January 2013
Peter Slaney, Combined Studies
Angie Smith, Social and Cultural Studies - 26 July 2022
Geoffrey Stansfield, Combined Studies - 21 September 2011
Dr Richard Stevens, History - 11 October 2019
University of Nottingham postgraduate alumnus Richard Stevens passed last month at the age of 59 after several periods of illness. A graduate of the Department of History initially at BA and then Masters level, he was awarded a PhD here in 1995 for his thesis: Trades Councils in the East Midlands, 1929-1951: Politics and Trade Unionism in a ‘Traditionally Moderate Area’. His project made a contribution to the fields of local history, oral history and labour history. The research involved no fewer than 170 structured interviews with labour activists and communists in the Midlands and survives for the researcher in transcript form. Richard published eleven articles and chapters between 1993 and 2000 on the labour movement and trades unions. Chapters include, ‘Organised Labour in Nottingham’, in John V. Beckett (ed.), A Centenary History of Nottingham (Manchester University Press, 1997) and ‘Cold War Politics: Communism and Anti-Communism in the Trades Unions, in A. Campbell et al. (eds.), British Trades Unions and Industrial Politics, 1940-79, Volume 1: The Post-War Compromise, 1945-64 (Ashgate, 1999). Articles include five including ‘Containing Radicalism: The Trades Union Congress Organisation Department and Trades Councils, 1928-1953’, Labour History Review 62: 1 (1997) and ‘Trades Councils and the Organisation of the Unemployed: the East Midlands in the 1930s’, Journal of Regional and Local Studies, 14: 1 (1994).
As well as teaching on several courses at the University of Nottingham around 1994 to 1996, he went on to teach courses of his own at the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, North Derbyshire Tertiary College, University of Birmingham, Manchester Metropolitan University and Leeds University School of Continuing Education. He taught also for the Open University, of which he was a keen advocate, and was research fellow for the Communist Party Oral History Project at the University of Manchester. He also spoke on many occasions to the Nottingham Branch of the Historical Association.
Richard was a social and labour activist, member of the Anarchist Federation and of the Industrial Workers of the World union, music lover, Norwich City F.C. supporter, valued member of the team at Oxfam, West Bridgford. He is survived by family including daughter Saffron, and is missed by his very many friends in the City of Nottingham.Obituary kindly supplied by Dr Claire Taylor, History
Alan Thompson, History
Dr Christine Tinkler (née Carver), Business Administration (Education) - June 2016
Thomas Philip Neil Wilson, Arts - January 2013
Choon Woong, Physics - 1998
1996
Dr Charles Baker, Chemistry
Helena Bandoo (née Wragg), Law - 13 March 2018
Justin Beard, Agricultural and Food Sciences - 8 May 2010
Barri Bishop, Russian - June 2015
Patricia Butler, Education - 2008
Zahirul Chowdhury, Law - August 2013
Professor Esmond Nigel Corlett, Combined Studies - 17 November 2020
Wendy Cronin, Education - October 2007
Robert Cryer, International Law - 2021
Roger Dalton, Geography – 14 March 2022
Luciana Grant, Art History - 2012
Sandra Hallam, Combined Studies - 25 June 2009
Alan Johnston, Mineral Resources Engineering - 21 September 2012
Victoria Jones, PGCE - 1996
Norman Kaye, Philosophy - 23 June 2008
John Kowalkowski, Education - 26 February 2024
Christopher O'Brien, Urban Planning and Management - 2012
Rowan Preston, Zoology - 8 June 2008
Pat McLean, Combined Studies
Salvatore Milazzo, French - April 2012
Jennifer Sellwood, Combined Studies
Colin Smith, Combined Studies
Ginger Tomlin, Law - 9 October 2011
Wendy Jane Trehy, Law - 23 April 2018
Edward Wakefield, Combined Studies - 19 December 2009
Eric Wilmhurst, Combined Studies - 2000
Eric Woolsey, Combined Studies
1997
Valerie Birch, Combined Studies - 1997
David Freeman, Combined Studies - June 2011
Christine Frost (née Middlehurst), Education - 12 March 2009
John Gannon, Combined Studies - 20 January 2009
Penny Heugh, Combined Studies
Noneen Jacques, Combined Studies - 2013
Sheila Mack, Combined Studies - 2008
Gillian Martin (née Le Mottée), Public Health - 20 July 2012
Sarah Northeast, Nursing - September 2022
Roy Paulson, Local and Regional History
Alec Raynard, Counselling Studies - 11 March 2013
Christopher Renyard, Electrical & Electronic Engineering with German - October 2007
Jennifer Seago, Economics and Econometrics - 9 February 2004
Christine Vickers, Education - 18 June 2018
Christine enjoyed her time at Nottingham immensely. In 1998 she was appointed Head teacher at a junior school in Rugby, Warwickshire and went on to become a qualified Schools Inspector. Christine retired from teaching in 2003. Christine was a highly respected and well-liked member of the local community.Obituary kindly supplied by husband John.
1998
Katherine Beckett, Human Genetics - 10 June 2013
Stuart Bell, Philosophy and Theology - 6 March 2020
Ennis Bosworth, Public Health - December 2009
John Cameron, Environmental Life Science - September 2004
Philip Matthew Charlesworth, Psychology
Joan Gould, Combined Studies - 8 December 2006
Jane Halliday, Biochemistry and Biomedical Physics
Jeremy Heath, Computer Science - 6 March 2021
Margharita Holwell, Combined Studies
Shauna McGibbon, Sports Medicine - October 2008
Dr Giorgio Pellicciari, Combined Studies - 2017
Paul Spackman, Physics - 1998
Jane Ubhi
1999
Kathryn Culling, Agriculture and Food Sciences - 21 March 2011
Edric Gideon, Manufacturing Systems - 2007
Ian Hoggarth, Computer Science - 4 October 2012
Marguerite Howard, Local and Regional History
Paul McKinley, Information Technology - 14 September 2006
Alison Raju, Hispanic Studies - 2 November 2020
Arthur (Terry) Ward, Philosophy - 22 January 2016
Daniel Williams, Education - 2 November 2011
Back to top
1980– 1989
1980
Paul Chidgey, Economic and Social History
Zena Jane Cumberpatch, Industrial Economics
John Divall, Education - 2012
John Eynon, Architecture - June 2021
Andrew Finn, Civil Engineering - 11 May 2024
Heather Henry, Social Administration
Honora Hunter, Law - 1 June 1993
Harry Husband, Education - March 2010
Iris Husband, Education - 20 September 2013
Phillip Jackson, Geography - April 2016
John Jones, Electrical Engineering - 26 June 2009
Catherine Moores, English Studies - 11 March 2010
David Morris, History - 19 April 2010
David Ronald Roddan, English Studies - June 2023
Michael Tyler, Education - February 2021
Patricia Wells (née Clarke), Biology - 2008
Jean (Shirley) Wilson, Education
Jacob Chi-Kwok Wong, Civil Engineering - 28 November 2010
Philip Zornoza, Production Engineering
1981
Simon Barlow, Medicine
James Kirk Blackburn, Geology
Dr Gary Bryan, Medicine - 14 July 2016
Valerie Buckett (née Workman), Geography
Peter Cook, Agriculture/Horticulture - 5 March 2010
Phillipa Cowdrey, Industrial Economics - September 2009
Lois Dart (née Williams), Sociology - April 2023
Patrick Davies, Mathematics
Maurice Delaney, Politics - 19 January 2009
Freda Dryhurst, Education
Euan Haig, Geography - 7 December 2010
Nigel Jordan, Medicine - 12 June 2011
Sapphire Naylor (née Ashcroft), Social Work - 2009
John Nottingham, Education
Brian Frank Orzel, Physics
June Platt, Education - May 2020
Dr Stefan Popper, Medicine - 16 March 2016
Derek Price, Botany
Peter Rawlins, Electrical Engineering - March 2017
Elsie Reddish, Education
John Robinson, Medieval & Modern History - 13 September 2013
Ann Shaw (née Holmes), Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences - September 2012
Anita Stockwell, Pharmacy - April 2006
Nicholas Teesdale, Russian Studies - 5 April 2021
Sivagurunathan Thayaparasivan, Chemical Engineering - 21 September 2009
Judith Todd (née Johnson), Mathematics - 22 December 2020
Vaughan Williams, Education - 21 June 2009
Dr Stephen Wichbold, Medicine - 6 April 2020
1982
Sharon Bubbers (née White), History
Lyndon Casey, Electrical and Electronic Engineering - 19 September 2019
Frederick Clarke, Theology - 22 November 2012
Graham Clayworth, Production Engineering and Production Management - 2022
Dr Robert Dow, Mining Engineering - August 2012
Christopher Fenton, Medicine - 2012
Martin Hagyard, Mathematics - December 2023
Bernard Haynes, Education - 1 March 2005
Nora Haynes, Education - 2017
Graham Hollows, Psychology - November 2009
John Martin, Economics/Agricultural Economics - 12 September 2005
Alan Maydon, Education - October 2010
Godfrey (William) McGowan, Education - 25 November 2007
Raymond Edgar Milner, Education - January 2013
Thomas (Tom) Smith, Slavonic Studies - 2018
Tina Smithson, Law - 10 March 2007
Richard Stagg, Chemistry - 21 July 2017
1983
Christopher Attwood, Physics and Applied Physics with Electronics - 2019
Anne Barnsdall, Education - 10 March 2008
Dr Raymond Burnish, Theology - August 2017
Neil Gemmell, Agriculture/Horticulture - 20 January 2022
Dr Antoni Labadz, Physics - 9 July 2020
Toni was born in 1962 in West Yorkshire, the only child of two Polish refugees who came to England after the 2nd World War. He was the first in his family to go to university and he thrived on the experience of being a student at Nottingham. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) Physics in 1983 and continued studying at the University, going on to gain a PhD in theoretical physics in 1987. We met on our very first day as undergraduates, when we both arrived in Willoughby Hall. As a postgrad, Toni also lived for one year in Cripps Hall. He made many strong and lasting friendships whilst at Nottingham and was involved in a variety of student societies, including parachute jumping, ballroom dancing and CathSoc. We both had many happy memories of time on campus. After leaving Nottingham, Toni did a 2 year postdoctoral research project at UMIST and then he worked at Manchester University computing centre for many years, before taking up employment as a software developer. Toni became ill in late 2019 and he passed away more quickly than we had hoped or expected. His enthusiasm for life is very much missed by his family and friends.Obituary kindly provided by wife Jillian Labadz.
David Limb, Production Engineering - 13 July 2016
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that my husband, David Limb, died on 13 July at the age of 56. David was an engineering graduate and left Nottingham after graduating in 1983. Although we were both at Nottingham, our paths didn't cross for a further 15 years when we met travelling to and from Philadelphia on business, and married in 1996. David had suffered from Crohn's disease since his time at Nottingham and very recently developed end stage kidney failure, and had been on dialysis for the last 14 months of his life.Information kindly supplied by David's wife, Cathy Limb (née Woodbine).
Dr Keith Lumsdon, Mining Engineering - 11 June 2017
Ann Ogden (née Kellett), Education - 27 July 2008
John Ratcliffe, Civil Engineering - March 2016
Christine Reid, Psychology - 16 May 1988
Mary Strong, Education
Ernest Summers, Modern Electronics - October 2010
Jeff Vyse, Chemical Engineering - 2023
Reverend John Watts, Education - 6 March 2019
Julie Wheeler, Education - 12 May 2011
Penelope Yensen, Education - 28 September 2005
1984
Gilbert R N Bigabwa, Environmental Planning for Developing Countries - 9 June 1992
Sari Conway (née Wright), Education - July 2006
Malcolm Gander, Education - 5 September 2011
Robert Heard, Genetics and Biochemistry - 7 February 2012
Mollie Kidd, Education - 23 August 2023
Ann Leeding (née Fielding), Physics and Applied Physics with Electronics
Edward Mann, English - January 2011
Jeffrey Moore, Education - 21 November 2011
John Morley, Education
Margaret Patrick, Social Work - 4 March 2006
Elizabeth Radforth, Politics - 1 July 2008
Simon Rushworth, Chemistry - April 2022
Simon passed away after a brave battle against a rare cancer in April 2022. He was a great beloved family man and he is survived by his wife Elisabeth (Lis) and their two daughters, Christine and Jessica.
He graduated in 1984, working first for Liverpool University where he met his wife Lis, then for St Andrews University and in 1986 he joined Lis working for Epichem Ltd on The Wirral.
He became an internationally recognised and esteemed expert in the semiconductor industry, travelling extensively, generously sharing his advice and help.In 2010 he moved to Cork University, then to KTN, and then worked for EpiValence. His professional achievements were recognised by the rare high award of a DSc by The University of Nottingham in 2013.
His friends remember him always being extremely kind, irrepressibly great fun, having such adventures and being a tireless fundraiser for charity. He was a leading figure in The Heswall Round Table, with memorable events including pushing a wheelchair coast-to-coast for charity and always helping Santa.
He was the best friend you could have. Obituary kindly supplied by Lesley Smith, on behalf of Simon's widow Elizabeth and his two daughters Christine and Jessica.
Michael Ward, Education - 21 December 2008
1985
Dawn Chance, Medicine - 28 March 2002
Geoffrey Dumbill, Zoology/Biochemistry - 3 May 2014
Tracy Evans (née Welton), Social Administration - March 2013
John Falkingham, Education - February 2019
Elizabeth Filmer, French and German - December 2007
Wendy Gilley, Mathematics - 14 May 2009
Eric Howarth, Linguistics/English Language - November 2010
Duncan Lennard, Mechanical Engineering - 1 April 2015
Brian Lord, Mining Engineering - June 2013
Richard Madeley, Medicine - 13 February 2012
Unny Menon, Production Engineering - 3 November 2011
Susan Nicholls, Zoology - 30 May 2011
David Parry, Education - 18 January 2004
Bridget Peet, Russian/Serbo-Croat - 22 September 2023
Colin Pendleton, Archaeology - 1 June 2014
Ian Simmons, Physics
Graham Townsend, Social Administration - 1998
Graham Turner, Chemistry - 16 April 2012
Benjamin Whiteley, Geology - 1 June 2005
Dr Stephen Wallwork, Local and Regional History - 22 February 2019
Please see the "Staff And Friends" section below for written obituary
1986
Judith Carini (née Gourley), Sociology - 20 May 2011
Carol Ghelani, Education
Geoffrey Hadfield, Classical Civilisations - 20 June 2011
David Hammond, Agriculture/Horticulture - 1 September 2022
Michael James Harvey , Agriculture/Horticulture - 6 August 2022
Raymond Knaust, Information Technology - 8 September 2021
Dr. Raymond Knaust PhD. MRSC. was a lecturer in Chemistry at the Derby College of Technology, now the University of Derby. Having taken early retirement in 1984, he studied for an MSc in Information Technology at Nottingham and has since been a keen supporter of the University. He died on 8th September 2021, having recently celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends. Obituary kindly supplied by Raymond's niece Kathleen Horrix.
Michael Lavelle, Education
Dr Leonard Moaven, Medicine - July 2023
Len built a great life and a flourishing clinical laboratory business in Australia. He was energetic, mischievous and extremely funny. He is much missed by family and friends in Australia and the UK. Obituary kindly supplied by Len's good friend, Andy Ness.
Robert Read, Mechanical Engineering - September 2012
Kenneth Rigby, Modern Electronics - 16 February 2013
Julie Tyler, Education - 21 April 2007
James Wilkie, Spanish/Hispanic Studies - 22 February 2009
1987
Jane Campbell (née Hunter), English - March 2007
Bernadette Chantrey (née Eyre), Social Work
Peter Coward, Education - 2012
Thersea Duncan, Education - 12 January 2023
Karen Everett (née Prince), Geography - 3 August 2016
Wesley Ewing, Agriculture/Horticulture - April 2020
William Forrest, Mining Engineering - 13 December 2012
Andrew Fox, Education - 2001
John Franks, Education - October 2018
Jonathan Hesp, Zoology - 12 August 2013
Dr Vivian M Leveaux, Local and Regional History - 3 January 2016
Donald McCubbing, Zoology - 11 September 2015
Eric Moxham, Education - 3 September 2018
Eric Page, Child Psychology - 1 March 2013
Gary Philpott, Physics and Astronomy - 2011
Julian Pringle, Manufacturing Systems - 24 February 2006
Andrew Trott, Education - August 2013
Susan Watson, Medicine - 29 November 2011
1988
Christopher Bromley, Education - September 2020
Jacqueline Evans, Education - April 2011
Philip Gold, Mechanical Engineering - April 2019
Lesley Jackson, Fine Art/Art History - 2005
Dr Hamid Khendek, Information Technology
Jayne Lee, Chemistry - 6 December 2008
Dr Iain McVicar, Medical and Surgical Sciences - June 2022
Andrew Moody, Metallurgy and Material Science
Christopher Moor, Law and Politics - 7 November 2018
Graeme Scott, Mechanical Engineering - April 2013
Agnes Shie (née Lee), Chemical Engineering - 2010
Gwilym Thomas, Education - 1988
Michael Varnam, Community Medicine/Epidem - 2006
1989
Kathleen Cove, Social Administration - 3 August 2015
Jill Cutting, Education - 2007
Russell Dallen, Law - 17 September 2021
Dr John Evans, Adult Education - 2 July 2023
Robert Frazier, History - 5 June 2011
Peter Furlong, Chemistry - 11 January 2023
Peter was born in April 1961 to an Irish Catholic family, originally from Wexford, living in Birmingham. Pete attended The Rosary RC Infant and Primary School in Saltley where, at the age of 6 or 7, he first came into contact with Maureen, who was in the year above, the person who was eventually to become his wife. Pete passed his 11+ and attended the highly-regarded St Philip’s Grammar School for Boys in Edgbaston. After his A’levels he went on to start a Pharmacy degree at Liverpool Polytechnic. However, he contracted a virus which mystified the medics, and became so unwell during his first year he had to leave his studies and return to his family home in Birmingham. When he had sufficiently recovered and was able to resume his degree, he was not permitted to restart the pharmacy course so, in 1981 he switched to Applied Chemistry. At the end of his degree in 1985 he was awarded a 2:1 pass and he accepted a place at Nottingham University to study for a PhD in Surface and Colloid Chemistry. In late 1988, the final year of his PhD, he caught Rubella from another student, which caused him serious side-effects. He was admitted to hospital with significant loss of feeling in his legs, unable to stand or walk. Pete and Maureen started dating in January 1988 and were married at The Rosary Church in April 1989. They have two beautiful children; a son, George, born in 1994, and a daughter, Katharine, born in 1996. Pete was very proud that both wished to pursue a career in science like their dad; that George chose Nottingham University to study for his degree (where Pete did his PhD), and that Katharine chose Birmingham University, which is near his old Grammar school in his home city. He was also extremely proud to learn that Katharine had achieved her PhD, at Edinburgh University, just a few months before he passed away. Following the completion of his PhD following a short Teacher Taster Course, he enrolled on a PGCE course, again at Nottingham, to train as a secondary school science teacher. Upon qualification he gained a position as a Science/Chemistry Teacher at a school in Lincoln in 1991. His career as a teacher was eventually impacted by his disability but with the assistance of his teaching union and Occupational Health, funding was obtained for the school from the Department of Employment Access to Work for his laboratory to be adapted for a disabled person and for a Teacher’s Assistant to be employed to assist him where necessary. Pete had to retire from teaching in 2008. This was the end of his working career. As regards hobbies, Pete was very competitive and always had a very keen interest in sports, competing for his school, Liverpool Polytechnic and Nottingham University, in football, rugby, cricket and athletics. He was a lifelong fan of West Bromwich Albion football club. His ability to participate in team games declined with onset of his mobility difficulties but he kept up his cycling and running for as long as he was able, and keep-fit activities in a home gym. He continued to avidly watch all sorts of sports and athletics on TV. He enjoyed numerous other leisure activities such as wine and beer making, car maintenance, DIY, gardening, reading and listening to music. Passionate about education, he was keen for his children to achieve their full potential and, whilst not terribly popular with George and Katharine at the time, provided extra tuition to them after completion of their homework, mainly in maths and science, and also English, which no doubt contributed to their overall academic successes. As a family we enjoyed board games and card games, and Pete especially enjoyed playing chess with our son George - but only if he was winning! Pete had a very good sense of humour and was friendly, chatty and well-liked, even by the students other teachers found ‘difficult’ at the school he taught at. He stayed in his lab at break and lunchtimes, and always had a stream of students just popping in for a chat with him. If out and about shopping in town, say, he invariably would be accosted by numerous good-humoured past and present students coming over for a friendly chat. Pete loved animals and wildlife. He had dogs and cats as pets at home as a child, and our family have always had at least one cat. He loved wildlife and liked to have garden plants that attracted insects, bees and butterflies especially. He enjoyed sitting at the window bird watching as the different varieties came down to feed and also tried his best to rescue any injured birds the cats brought in - one spring he was out each day digging up worms from the garden to feed a baby blackbird we were looking after. Peter suffered from a severe, relentless and progressive form of MS, in the latter years it also very sadly affected his thinking and reasoning abilities. His speech deteriorated significantly, especially when tired, making it very difficult for others to understand him, which added to his distress and frustration. When his wife could no longer manage to care for him alone at home, he was reluctantly moved into a care home, and for approx. the last 2 years he resided at a home which specialized in neurological and complex care. He was taken ill in December with an infection and eventually succumbed to pneumonia whilst in hospital on 11th January 2023.
Lesley Godber (nee Bennett), Education – 31 December 2020
Andrew Harris, Mathematics
Keith Hutcheon, Mechanical Engineering - 16 February 2018
My father, Keith Finer Hutcheon, died on 16 February 2018 at the age of 89 following his admission to hospital with pneumonia. He was a member of staff in the Mechanical Engineering Department for some time during the period 1980 to 1989. During his time in the department he assisted in lectures and carried out research which was supervised by Professor M J Owen and Dr. V Middleton. He also received a Master of Philosophy on 16 September 1989.Obituary kindly supplied by Keith's son, Paul.
Pamela Hinett, Education
Colin Johnson, Agricultural Sciences - October 2009
Richard (Rik) Lewis, Mechanical Engineering - 28 February 2021
Alison Nix, Education - 4 December 2011
Professor Kevin Shingfield, Animal Science - September 2016
Respected scientist, academic and enthusiastic member of Sutton Bonington’s Old Kingstonian association, Professor Kevin Shingfield has died aged 48.Professor Kevin Shingfield (Animal Science 1989) was Professor of Nutritional Physiology at Aberystwyth University. He was a passionate member of the British Society of Animal Science, being both a council member and a section editor of its journal:Animal. He received his PhD at the University of Glasgow in 1996 and thereafter began a distinguished career in scientific research at the Agrifood Research Centre of Finland. His primary area of research was milk composition, in particular, fatty acids. Over time he became one of the world's most distinguished researchers on ruminant fat metabolism. After working as a research fellow at the University of Reading from 2001-2003, he returned to Finland. In 2009 he was appointed Research Professor where his research expanded to consider greenhouse gas emissions and the energy metabolism of dairy cows. He returned to the UK in 2013 as Professor of Nutritional Physiology at Aberystwyth University, where he continued his international research alongside undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. His scientific achievements were significant, especially in light of his age. In 2011 he was recognised by Thomson Reuters for the highest per cent increase in citations in the field of agricultural sciences. Aside from his scientific legacy, he will be remembered for his sense of humour, selflessness and passion for science and learning. He is already deeply missed by his family, friends and former colleagues. The British Society of Animal Science has created a memorial award for postgraduate excellence in Kevin’s memory. To donate please go to:http://bsas.org.uk/
Brian Towers, Education - 23 January 2009
Paul Williamson, Education
Back to top
1970– 1979
1970
Francis Almond, Chemical Engineering - 2019
Kathryn (Kate) Ames (née Greaves), Psychology - 26 April 2018
Carline Antram (née Sargent), Physics - 18 March 2019
Roger Appleton, Chemistry
Derek Bagnall, Mathematics - 25 February 2016
Robin (Chris) Butler, Production Engineering - July 2009
Denis Cooper, Law
Julian Davies, Construction Management - 27 December 2013
Jean Ellis, Geography - July 2012
David Grove, Industrial Economics - 12 November2011
Obituary atThe Telegraph
Max Hardman, Urban and Regional Planning - 20 April 2023
Michael Anthony Harrison, Fine Art/Art History - 25 April 2013
Stewart Jones, Physics - 2007
Dr Douglas Keir, Chemistry - 4 November 2023
Elizabeth Lawrence (née Kemp), German
Roger Marks, Politics - 23 February 2011
David Mercer, Law - 2020
Please seeBBC Sportfor Obituary
Elizabeth O'Brien (née Blainey), Sociology - 17 January 2012
Rebecca Park, Zoology - 26 May 2007
Phillip Russell, Politics and International Relations - 2002
Jane Rutherford (née Oldfield), Economics - 31 October 2012
David Raymond Short, Civil Engineering - 21 October 2014
Peter Staples, Theology - 10 December 2012
Clare Stride, Fine Art/Art History - 19 April 2006
Andrew Roderick Taylor, Zoology - 2012
Jennifer Ann Wilkinson (née Marker) - 22 December 2022
Jennifer was brought up near Godalming in Surrey, attending Godalming Grammar School. After studying at Nottingham under Professor Hanson and graduating in Theology, Jennifer decided to train as a librarian in the public library service. She undertook initial training with Surrey County Council, before attending a postgraduate library course at Birmingham Polytechnic 1971-2. She subsequently worked for Barnsley, Essex County Council, and Anglo-European School at Ingatestone.
Jenny very much enjoyed working with people. She liked the friendliness of Yorkshire people. However, we had to move to Essex in 1982 for my work, settling in Black Notley, near Braintree.
Jenny had a passionate interest in the Celtic Saints, Aidan and Cuthbert, developed through her theology studies. We have, over the years , visited Northumberland many times for holidays. Jenny always felt completely relaxed there - the Celtic land and land of the Prince Bishops. And we always enjoyed visits to Lindisfarne, the island of Aidan.
We celebrated our 25th, 40th and golden wedding anniversaries in Essex. Jenny was a good wife, mother to 2 daughters, and, lately, grandmother to 5 grandchildren. She leaves a husband, Geoffrey, a chemical engineer and former teacher, and 2 daughters - Esther, a university librarian, and Rachel, a graduate and trained veterinary nurse.
John Wilkinson, Electrical Engineering - 2 October 2008
Dr Harry Worthington, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
1971
Kathryn Ash, Social Administration - 9 February 2023
Geoffrey Bagley, Zoology - 18 August 2018
Colin Budd, Botany - July 2018
Iris Bell, Education - 24 January 2011
Peggy Blunden (nee Evans), Maths/Psychology - December 2010
Paul Bradshaw, Mathematics - January 2017
Sheila Bradshaw (née Broodbank), Mathematics/Philosophy - 3 March 2019
Jack Cook, Economics - August 2018
Susan Cooper (née Byars), Social Administration - 6 June 2017
Richard Crossley, Civil Engineering
Ronald Gardner, English - 14 July 2015
Helen Grafham (née Cameron), Mathematics
Richard Grafham, Mathematics - 18 May 2005
David Kelly, Industrial Economics - 27 July 2019
David Knowles-Leak, Mechanical Engineering - 2020
Michael Leeson, Chemistry - January 2018
Hugh Little, Politics - 2013
Peter Long, Mathematics
Obituary available via The Guardian.
Peter May, Chemical Engineering - November 2013
Marjorie Mitchell (née Crompton), Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - 17 August 2024
Marjorie Mitchell (nee Crompton) B.Pharm 1971 passed away peacefully at home on 17th August 2024. Marjorie lived in Cavendish Hall for all 3 years of her time at Nottingham. Was married to Andrew (BSc Chemistry 1971) for 52 years. Leaves husband, 3 kids and 8 grandkids. Obituary kindly supplied by Marjorie's husband Andrew Mitchell.
Dorothy Moody (née Harvey), Pharmacy – September 2022
Dr Ian Shearer, Animal Physiology - 1 June 2021
Obituary available via Stuff.co.nz, kindly supplied by Ian's wife, Cheryl.
Linda Spiteri (née Newcomb), Botany/Zoology
George Tootell, Civil Engineering - 2017
Stephen Wall, Politics - 3 May 2015
Ross Ward, Physics - 4 April 2024
1972
Neil Adam, Applied Biochemstry with Nutrition - January 2012
Tim Bond, Mechanical Engineering - 16 April 2011
Prof Colin Bayliss, Electrical & Electronic Engineering - 6 September 2014
Andrew Brinkman, Electrical Engineering - 7 July 2011
Roger Burnley, Mechanical Engineering - 15July 2009
John Carrington, French - December 2009
Susan Challener, Pharmacy
Elizabeth Childs (née Amos), Theology - 18 June 2024
Christopher Cooper, English/American Studies - 2010
Christopher Paul Coote, Law - March 1988
Simeon Fayomi, Overseas Planning - 26 October 2017
John Brian Harrison-Jennings, Physchology/Education - 22 January 2023
Kenneth Herbert, Architecture - 16 April 2010
Kathleen Hermolle, Music/English
Dr (Martin) Geoff Holmes, Plant Biology - 25 December 2014
Sir Anthony (Tony) Lloyd MP, Mathematics - 17 January 2024
Obituary published by Sky News is available here.
John Lowten, Industrial Economics - 25 October 2020
John's heart finally gave up on 25th October 2020. After graduating in 1972 in Industrial Economics at Nottingham, John joined Coopers and Lybrand in London and became a Chartered accountant and later an FCA. He subsequently worked in a range of industry sectors as Financial Controller or Director. John retained his love of sport, cars, music and sunshine throughout his life. Many of his good friends were also at Nottingham with him. He will be greatly missed by his wife, two children and four grandchildren. Obituary kindly supplied by John's wife Mary Lowten.
Duraid Mahrus, Mechanical Engineering - January 2010
Hilary McArdle, Food Science - September 2007
Rev. David J Mellor, Theology - 20 September 2017
James Olford, Economics/Agricultural Economics - 2 April 2017
James Pattison, Electrical Engineering
Kathryn Pemberton, Biochemistry
Rev Dr Gerald Rimmington, Education - 10 October 2019
Gerald passed away peacefully in Leicester on 10th October 2019. His life long passion was education. Gerald graduated from the Universities of Leicester (M.A), London (B.Sc(Econ), Ph.D) and Nottingham (M.Ed, Ph.D). He taught at various schools across Leicestershire in 1950’s. District of Education Officers Sierra Leone 1959-61, District Education Officer Nyasaland(Malawi) 1961-63. Assistant professor Acadia University, Wolfville, Canada 1963-67; Professor of Education and Dean, Brandon University, Manitoba, Canada 1967-73; Professor of Education and Deputy Head, Mount Allison University, Canada 1973-81. Rector of Paston 1981-86, Vicar of Cosby 1986-90, Rector of Barwell 1990-95. Member of Rotary, Honorary Visiting Fellow, Centre for the History of Religion and Political Pluralism University of Leicester 2000-2019. Throughout his life he contributed an impressive body of academic work.Obituary kindly supplied by Jacqueline Rimmington. Please also see notice published byThe Chronicle Herald.
James Rushforth, Zoology - 11 April 2014
Geoffrey Scaplehorn, French
Linda Shine (née Reynolds), English - March 2011
Janet Snape (née Wood), Geography - November 2010
John Stephenson, Physics - 31 March 2013
Trevor Tansley, Electrical and Electronic Engineering - 26 June 2011
Douglas Turner, Physics
Joan van Hamel, Education
Christopher Ward, Chemistry
1973
Paul Abell, Mechanical Engineering - 28 October 2021
Nigel Bunting, Agriculture/Food Science - March 2009
The Reverend Canon Lloyd Caddick, Theology - 23 March 2019
Peter Carrington, French - December 2009
Elizabeth Childs (née Amos), School of Education/Theology - 18 June 2024
David Chitty, Botany
Anthony Coe, Sociology - 8 November 2023
Terry Cook, Metallurgy
Nicholas Daykin, Law
Anthony Donaldson, Mathematics - 2022
Jonathan Everitt, Chemistry
Joseph Fawcett, Education - March 2007
Kevan Fogg, Mathematics - December 2006
Keith Fuell, Agriculture/Horticulture - 2020
Paul Gilman, English Studies - 17 December 2009
Sir George Godber, Honorary Degree - February 2009
John Hall, Mathematics - November 2006
Craig Hanson, Philosophy - 15 July 2011
David Hooton, Education - 20 June 2012
Stephen Hudson, Pharmacy - 28 November 2010
The Rt Reverend Richard Inwood, Theology - 14 April 2019
David Leedham, Electrical Engineering - September 2022
Penelope Matthews, English
Gerard McConville, Education - 10 April 2008
Keith McLagen, Education
Graham Page, Physics - February 2006
Michael Read, Chemical Engineering - November 2009
Angela Rodda (née Hopkinson), History - 2014
Angela obtained an MPhil under Professor Cameron in the Department of English studying Early Mercia settlement. This followed a BA (Hons) in History from University of Reading in 1966. Angela became the first ever woman moderator for A-level history at the Oxford Local Examinations Syndicate. She was an outstanding teacher well able to gain respect and affection from both her colleagues as well as fellow moderators. Upon retirement from teaching Angela completed an MA at Reading, this time on the causes of pre Black Death depopulation. She leaves behind a loving husband and three children.Obituary kindly provided by husband Jim Rodda.
Richard Sadler, Mechanical Engineering - 30 December 2021
David Samways, Pharmacy
Susan Stone (née Easterby), Social Administration
Susan Todd (née Maude), Geography - 2009
Cathy Urwin, Child Psychology - 2 June 2012
David Walker, Medicine
1974
Keith Ayling, Psychology - 30 March 2010
David Beardsley, Education - January 2015
Thomas Botts, Physics - 15 April 2022
Michael Bushell, Mining Engineering
Joan Doreen Dobson (née Atkinson), Education - 26 February 2013
Stephen Murray Downton, Physics - 19 January 2014
Robert Dossetter, Education - 10 July 2011
Brent Gathercole, Electrical Engineering - 9 August 2020
Katherine Gaydon, Chemistry - 3 March 2005
John Hollinshead, Psychology - 2017
Margaret Hopkin (née Hallam), Education - 22 May 2011
Wendy Lawrence (née Hooper), Physics - 2 July 2019
Nicholas Mabelle, Civil Engineering - 31 August 2010
Heather Malloch (née Backhouse), Theology - July 2010
Kenneth Orchard, English
Edward Pate, Education - 28 October 2011
Simon Pettitt, Theology - 18 December 2009
David Rees, Education - 23 December 2015
Dr Judith Sidebottom, Chemistry - February 2023
Rodney (Rod) Taylor MBE, Electrical Engineering - 28 January 2018
Carol Wilson (née James), Education
Gillian Wilson (née Robinson), Geography - 2014
Brian Woods, Pharmacy
1975
Anthony Bunch, Law
Kenneth Bloomer, Education - 1975
Richard Anthony Charles, Law - 21 July 2013
Roberto Chizzolini, Food Sciences - 8 April 2004
David Cooke, Industrial Economics
Heather Daly (née Tait-Worsley), Social Administration – 17 November 2021
Colin Darling, Civil Engineering
Sheila Gardiner, Agriculture/Horticulture - 16 March 2022
Obituary published by the University of Nottingham School of Life Sciences is available here.
Lynne Golberg (née Potter), Chemistry/Philosophy
Ian Gray, Mechanical Engineering - 1 August 2011
Sheila Howard (née McShane), Education - 17 October 2017
Sheila Howard gained a B.Ed in 1975. She went on to pursue a successful teaching career, establishing herself first at Charnwood Secondary School in Clifton and then Harry Carlton, East Leake, as a well-respected English, History and Sociology teacher. She will be missed by her family as well as her ex-teaching colleagues who remained good friends.Obituary kindly supplied by Sheila's daughter, Isabel.
Graham Johnston, German and Russian
Graham was a Military Interpreter in the Royal Air Force before studying. After graduating he became Head of German at the Royal Air Force School for Interpreters in 1975 and Head of Russian at the Royal Air Force School for Interpreters in 1990. In 1997 he was Head of Slavonic Languages at the Defence Special Signals School before resigning from Ministry of Defence in 2001 to become a full time free lance translator to business of legal, financial and technical papers.Obituary kindly supplied by Graham's son-in-law, Andreas.
Ian Kettle, Economics - 31 October 2010
Jane Lion (née Greenwood), French - 20 March 2009
Angela Lowrie (née Preece), Medicine - 1 January 2010
Graeme Macmillan, Mining Engineering
Michael McKenna, Civil Engineering - 24 November 2011
Michael Newman, Chemistry
Dr Norman Paskin, Biochemistry - 27 March 2016
Dr Norman Paskin sadly passed away on Easter Sunday 2016. After taking his degree in Biochemistry at Nottingham in 1975, he obtained his PhD in 1978. After a brief spell at Blackwell he joined Elsevier science publishers, holding a number of editorial, management and technology roles. From 1994 – 1998 he was director of information technology development for Elsevier. He worked on information identifier issues for the scientific, technical and medical publishing community, and has published key papers on the topic. In 1998 he became the first director of the International DOI (Digital Object Identifier), concerned with overcoming the problems of ‘cataloguing the internet’. This eventually saw the DOI system accepted as an official ISO standard, and the use of the system expanded both internationally and to other communities such as the movie industry.
In later years Norman also had his own company, Tertius Ltd. As he put it, ‘providing consultancy services in the digital management of information, and related issues concerning management of products of the human mind’. The company name was inspired by Jorge Luis Borges, a great favourite of Norman’s:
‘This is the fictional Orbis Tertius (third world) described in Borges' story, Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius. It is conjectured that this world is the work of astronomers, biologists, engineers, metaphysicians, poets, chemists, algebraists, moralists, painters, geometers... The plan is so vast that the contribution of each writer is infinitesimal.’
Norman’s later work on the philosophy behind metadata led him also to the work of Kuhn and Karl Popper.
Elsevier published this last word on Norman:
‘Norm was both cerebral and visionary, playing a leading role in early online publishing experiments at Elsevier and quickly realizing the importance that standards and identifiers would play in underpinning the interoperable world of digital scholarly communications that we know today. Norman’s friends and family can justly be proud of his legacy and lasting contribution, and we extend our deepest condolences.’Obituary kindly supplied by Estel Eforgan, Norman's partner and friend for 30 years. Estel would like to hear from others who knew Dr Paskin, and can be contacted on esteleforgan@gmail.com
Steve Patrick, Physics - 2013
Robert (Henry) Richardson, Agricutlure/Horticulture - 3 March 2023
Deborah Roberts, Music - 9 September 2024
For a full obituary please see Brighton Early Music Festival
David Riley, Mathematics with engineering
Barbara Sheldon (née Watson), Chemistry
Margaret Sunderland, Education - 28 June 2023
Maurice Waite, Education - April 2006
Dr Robert Young, Mathematics/Economics - 16 January 2023
1976
Mohd Adnan, Production Engineering - February 2011
Allan Ashworth, Chemistry - 17 March 2013
Horace Bennett, Education - September 2012
Margaret Bushell (née Jones), Economic and Social History
Andrew Clifton, English and American Studies - 27 February 2014
Celia Coldham (née Evans), Education - 2005
John Herbert Cox, Education - 2023
Glynis Davies, Education
Anne Ellis (née Mitchell), German - March 2018
Roosevelt Tumpale Ghambi, Urban and Regional Planning - 6 June 2019
John Harrison, Law - 9 January 2009
Nicholas (Nick) Harrison, Law - 14 February 2018
Andrew Hirst, Music - 26 March 2006
Margaret Liebeschuetz, English
Andrea Marden, Psychology - 2017
Jane Mason, Mathematics - 4 April 2012
Dr Derek Pearson, Physics - December 2017
David Pym, Education - March 2019
Robin Sisson, English - 24 June 2008
Susan Smith (née Tattersall), Agriculture - October 2020
Shirley Anne Stockwell, French Literature - 21 November 2011
After a long illness I am sorry to announce that Dr Shirley Anne Stockwell (French Literature 1976) died on 21st November 2011. Shirley fought her battle with tremendous dignity, strength and courage. Shirley will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was an intelligent, kind and caring woman and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.Obituary kindly supplied by Shirley's husband Alan.
Professor Terence Walters, Law
Paul Webb, Agriculture - 20 January 2012
Stephen Windos, Music - 1 November 2010
1977
Iain Beastall, Education
Dorothy Bell (née Gray), Education
John Bescoby-Chambers, History - 15 December 2012
Dr Malcolm Black, Chemistry - March 2018
Sara Brookes (née Isaac), Geography - September 2013
Sara was born and grew up in Boston, Lincolnshire. After graduation Sara pursued a career in accountancy and was able to obtain a position with Coopers & Lybrand in Northampton; she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1980.
She met John (Electrical & Electronic Engineering 1976) in 1974. They married in 1981 and have lived in Brixworth, Northamptonshire since 1984.At Coopers and Lybrand (later to become Price Waterhouse Coopers) she rose to the position of Senior Manager before leaving to start a family in 1988. Sons Michael, Andrew and Oliver were born over the following 5 years.
Sara loved the outdoors, walking, gardening and several sports (squash, tennis, cycling and a bit of rowing). She also enjoyed cooking and went to great lengths to make sure healthy food, cooked at home, was the order of the day. She packed the early lives of her sons with numerous activities and experiences, the after school schedule was a master class in logistics.Once all the boys were established at school she started to work part time in accountancy again – for the British Red Cross, and Osh Kosh B’Gosh.
In 2000 Sara joined Blue Skies Limited, as Financial Controller, a position she held until her untimely death. At the time she joined, the business was run from a family home, but went on to become a multi-million pound turnover business based at offices in Pitsford, Northamptonshire. Blue Skies (Queen’s Awards Winners) prepare fresh fruit mainly in the countries where they grow, ready to be in the UK and other European supermarkets only days later. Sara regularly visited the factories in Ghana, South Africa, Egypt and Brazil. The training centre in Brazil has been named in her memory.
Sara has taken part in the London to Brighton cycle ride raising money for the British Heart Foundation, taken part in the Moon Walk in London in aid of the Breast Cancer charity, and several times taken part in the local cycle ride to raise money for the Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Sara was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, and throughout the treatments to fight the disease, she continued working. She lost the final battle in September 2013.
There is a spinney in Boston Woods recently dedicated to Sara.Obituary kindly supplied by Sara's husband John.
Lynn Cunningham (née Litherland), Law - 15 December 2010
Vernon Cutler, Education
Diana Draisey (née Kemp), Music - 31 January 2011
Geoffrey Danson, Agriculture/Horticulture - 2 October 2017
Raymond Allan Farnell, Mechanical Engineering - 28 February 2013
Geoffrey Halstead, Physics - 2012
Alan Hind, Education - 16 December 2023
Geoffrey Alexander Hanna, Industrial Economics
Michael Hardy, Education - 23 August 2012
Yvonne Howes (née Evans), English/School of Education
Ann Hutchinson (née Burchett), Physics - 23 August 2014
Dr Kenneth Lawson, Philosophy - 7 April 2017
The death has occurred of Dr. Kenneth Lawson of the Department of Adult Education at the University of Nottingham, aged 89, on 7th April 2017. There was no one more committed to the cause of adult education than Kenneth. I use the word cause deliberately because for Kenneth it was a cause, almost a crusade, and it was one in which he spent the bulk of his working life. He was himself in fact a beneficiary of that cause, since in 1950 he began to study at Fircroft Working Men’s College in Selly Oak. After that, in 1951 he went to the famous Ruskin College in Oxford, and after gaining a Diploma in Politics and Economics he went from there to St. John’s College in Oxford where he read Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and gained his BA in two years – quite an extraordinary achievement. Just how extraordinary can be gauged from the fact that here was a man who left school at 14 to become an apprentice aircraft rigger: manual worker to standing alongside those who had had a conventional and often extremely privileged education.
In 1958, he came to the University of Nottingham, where he was Warden at the Shakespeare Street Centre, and as well taught economics to miners on day release courses. In the days when we had a mining industry such courses not only informed miners about national and global topics, but acted as a conduit for those aspiring to high office in the Union, and those wishing to follow the same educational route as Kenneth himself had done. Later he became Assistant Director of the Department.
He soon began work on the topic which brought him international recognition producing much respected literature on what came to be called the philosophy of Adult Education. His papers and books, Philosophical Concepts and Values in Adult Education (1975, second revised edition 1979) and Analysis and Ideology: Conceptual Essays on the Education of Adults (1982) were influential.
He was a political activist too, and after the descent in Britain of the Thatcher pestilence of the 1980s, led a national campaign to ‘Save Adult Education’. As well as his literary output, this is his memorial, as well as affectionate memories of a convivial and respected colleague.Obituary kindly supplied by Professor Emeritus J.E. (Teddy) Thomas.
Roy Lucas, Education - 13 February 2007
Gregg Maxson
Michael McCabe, American Studies - 11 April 2008
John Moorfoot, Education - 20 February 2006
Mark Parr, Chemistry - 21 October 2020
Linda Pym, Law - 18 April 2014
Sheila Ransom (née Fairclough), Zoology - September 2013
Timothy Shaw, Chemical Engineering
Sarah Simkin (née Coulthurst), Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - 20 August 2010
Kevin Stephenson, Physics
Robert Stephenson, Chemistry - 22 November 2012
John Sumner, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - 4 September 1996
Milton Tan, Architecture - 2010
Alan Turner, Agriculture/Horticulture - 31 January 2010
Philip Vernon, History - 27 October 2010
Stephen Young, Mathematics - 31 January 2011
1978
Kenneth Atkin, Mathematics - February 2011
Nicholas Briggs, Agriculture/Horticulture - March 2021
Simon Bruce, Psychology - November 2021
Rosemary Buxton (née England), Psychology - 5 November 2006
Alan Clark, Education - 26 July 2017
John Clegg, Law - 23 September 2023
Rosemary Arrowsmith Clews, Social Work - April 2013
Antony Cooksey, Education
Robert Cordell, Education
John Crowther, Music - March 2008
Keith Dadds, Education - February 2003
Vanessa Franklin, Psychology - 3 March 2009
Haydn Gwynne, Sociology - 20 October 2023
Alan Heywood Kenny, English
Anita Higgie, English and Linguistics - November 2010
Katrina Honeyman, Economic and Social History - 23 October 2011
Bharat Kakkad, Production Engineering - May 2019
Ingrid Lyon (née Selby), Education
Alan McIntyre, American Studies
Anne Milner, Agriculture/Horticulture - 24 December 2012
John Nicholls, Social Administration - 10 May 2023
Dr Kevin Ocraft, Biology & Chemistry - 23 May 2014
Richard Page, Medicine - February 2008
John Palshis, Chemistry
Elaine Parr (née Baxter), Psychology - 29 August 1996
Olive Senior, Applied Social Science
Mark Whitehead, Law - 2018
1979
The Reverend Dr Gerald Barlow, Theology - March 2018
Jill Benner, Chemistry - April 2011
Carolyn Boag (née Pocock), English - 7 July 2010
Barbara Brown, French/Spanish - 25 January 2011
Stephen Church, Chemistry - May 2011
Andrew Charles Cochran, Civil Engineering
M Christopher Coupland, English - 14 August 2005
Martin Ellison, Electrical Engineering
John Evans, Education
Philip Glithero, Medicine - 20 November 2012
Colin Hancock, Education - 9 January 2009
James (Jim) Hill, Education - 26 September 2009
James Herron, Physics & Applied Physics with Electronics - 2015
Karen Hobbay, Education - October 2015
Janice Hull, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - 18 April 2021
Kenneth Hyde, Education - 2012
Paul Kelly, Chemistry
Marian Knott, Education - 2 May 2012
Ngi Law, Production Engineering
Graham McCartney, Mining engineering
Robert Megarry, Honourary Graduate - 11 October 2006
Jacqueline Norman (née Garside), Botany/Geography - 7 November 2023
Christopher Skinner, Law - 14 February 2017
Derek Talbot, Philosophy
Simon Tory, Economics
Fiona Wakefield (née Nathan), Industrial Economics - 27 April 2008
Back to top
1960 – 1969
1960
Keith Atherton, Mining Engineering - 10 July 2009
Hugh Langley Barlow, Geography - 27 August 2015
Richard Bough, Pharmacy - 1 July 2006
Kenneth Bufton, Agriculture - 1 April 2020
Janet Davies (née Andrews), Applied Social Science - October 2016
Robert Dryden, Mathematics - 10 August 2020
After graduating, Bob became a Maths teacher in Watford and Bedford and a further education lecturer in Kettering. He loved music and played in the University orchestra where he met Sheila, a secretary at the university. They married in 1962 and had a son (Ian) and a daughter (Heather). Bob underwent a liver transplant in 1993, giving him an extra 27 years. His son is now a Professor of Statistics in the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Nottingham. Obituary kindly supplied by Robert's wife, Sheila.
Tristram Eastwood, Russian Studies
Norman Franklin, Chemistry - 15 May 2024
Ivor Gledhill, Theology - 25 April 2024
Robert Goodge, Russian
William Griffin, Pharmacy - 4 June 2007
Hugh Hamilton, Law - 2 May 2021
Erica Heather (née Paul), Zoology
Jack Hobman, Chemistry - 25 August 2017
Christopher Kiernan, Psychology - 23 April 2011
Roger Kohn, History - September 2015
Mary Langford, Music - 27 December 2010
Sheila Leach, French/Spanish
Michael Light, Mechanical Engineering - 17 June 2008
Pamela Marsh (née Fox), Pharmacy - 17 January 2007
David Marston, Agriculture/Horticulture
William Martin, Chemistry - 24 February 2012
Jasmine Matthison, English - December 2011
Roger McCallister, Geology/Geography
Gillian Mowat (née Garside), Dairying - 22 January 2013
David Newland,Mechanical Engineering - 2 April 2011
Alan Plumtree, Metallurgy - 5 November 2020
Passed away suddenly on November 5, 2020. Beloved husband of Diana for 61 years, loving father and grandfather of Rebecca (Jim) and their children Katherine and John, and Jonathan (Clare) and their children Evan and Tessa. He is survived by his siter Barbara in the UK.
Alan was a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Born in Lincolnshire, England in 1936, he received his B.Sc. in Metallurgy at the University of Nottingham in 1960. He continued there for his PhD. During which time he lectured at Nottingham Trent University. On completion of his doctorate programme he and Diana emigrated to Canada accepting an appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Toronto. In 1965 he moved to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo. Professor Plumtree served in many capacities at UW including Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, and Research Senator, and member of the Board of Governors. His major interests were in the relationship between the mechanical properties of materials and their microstructure composition and heat treatment. He was the author of more than 200 scientific and technical publications. For his achievements Alan was awarded the Doctor of Science degree from the University of Nottingham in 1997.
He is known internationally as the co-designer and developer of the Waterloo Pump which provides potable water to villages in developing countries around the world. Alan and Diana loved international travel which took them to many countries including most of Europe and the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Egypt, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti and New Caledonia. Alan was a keen follower of Premier League soccer but on summer weekends the countryside beckoned and day trips around Ontario with a picnic lunch at hand were simple pleasures he enjoyed.
Alans family would like to extend special thanks to the first responders who were with Alan to the end and all the caregivers and PSWs who have helped him over the past year. Obituary kindly supplied by Alan's wife Diana Plumtree.
Barbara Przedborska, Salvonic/French Studies - 24 February 2011
Noel Richards, Social Administration - 7 July 1998
Professor Graham (John) Rogers, Philosophy - 26 November 2022
John was Emeritus Professor of Philosophy (Keele) and an internationally renowned scholar of seventeenth century philosophy (and founding editor of the British Journal of the History of Philosophy). Born in pre-war India, where his father was a major in the British army, John returned to England in 1944 and grew up in Southampton. He had a distinguished career at King Edward’s Grammar School, not least due to his sporting prowess, earning him recognition as the school’s best all-round athlete. Before his A level studies, he won an American Field Service scholarship and spent a happy year in Minnesota.He went up to Nottingham University in 1957 to study Philosophy and the friendships formed in Hugh Stewart Hall lasted a lifetime. In 1960, he started doctoral studies at St Catherine’s, Oxford and, in 1962, accepted a position of Lecturer in the Philosophy Department at Keele University where he remained until his retirement as Emeritus Professor of Philosophy. His colleagues describe John as a “scholar and a gentleman”. His scholarship was extensive, not only in a formidable output of published essays and editorship of many collections of essays, but also with the completion of two large-scale editions of John Locke’s Essay and Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan. He founded, and for many years edited, The British Journal of the History of Philosophy which rapidly became one of the premier journals of the history of ideas. He was Head of Keele’s Philosophy Department for many years and is fondly remembered by generations of colleagues and students alike for his calmness, courtesy and thoughtfulness. As one said: “It is easy to be clever, it is much harder to be nice.” He successfully steered the Department through the troubled times when philosophy departments nationwide were under threat, securing its future. In retirement, he joined his local Rotary club, played golf and enjoyed family time with his beloved wife, Jo, (whom he met at Keele when she was a student). They had been married for over 54 years and Jo was proud to have been able to care for him during his final years of health problems. John died very peacefully in November 2022, aged 84, after a period of declining health. He leaves wife Jo, daughters Sara and Rachel, and was proud Grandpa to five grandchildren.Obituary kindly supplied by John's wife Jo-Ann.
Dr Neville Rieger, Mechanical Engineering - 22 August 2022
Dr Charles K Rowley, Industrial Economics - 2013
Sheila Savill, English - 28 October 2017
Dr David Saul, Education - 15 May 2017
Michael Shenton, Civil Engineering - 9 February 2010
Brian Storey, Physics - 2 March 2010
The Reverend Richard Strevens, Theology - 13 January 2018
Derek Taylor, Law - 10 October 2006
Dr Ian Taylor, Civil Engineering - 2018
Kenneth Thomas, Geography - 18 July 2021
Arthur Thorn, Mechanical Engineering
John Trudgill, Economics - 17 June 2022
Ian Wagstaff, Chemistry - 2006
Keith Whitehead, Economics - 5 December 2017
Alan Wood, History - April 2016
1961
Brian Abell, Theology - 31 October 2015
Barbara Armitage, Pharmacy - 2023
Donald Bain, Geology - July 2009
Michael Barker, Physics - 10 December 2006
Anthony Beaty, Civil Engineering
Roger Berkeley, Botany - September 2010
John Bisson, Chemistry - 2 February 2011
Martyn Bittleston, English
Peter Bosworth, Civil Engineering
Michael Brooke, Civil Engineering - 14 January 2011
Brenda Brown, Mathematics
The Reverend Dr Colin Brown, Theology - 4 May 2019
Roger Brown, Law - 2014
Richard Butterfield, Chemistry - 21 November 2008
Rabindra Chakravorty, Mining Engineering - 22 July 2006
John Clarke, Geography - November 2011
Richard Cootes, History - 7 December 2017
Peter Davies, Pharmacy - January 2008
Ronald Davies, Zoology - 12 February 2009
Brian Dear, German - 30 April 2015
Neil de Voil, Law - 22 April 2019
David Diprose, Botany/Zoology - 2023
Eric Nolan Doe, Electrical Engineering
David Dowse, French - November 2008
Michael (Robin) Ellwood, Electrical Engineering - 13 July 2019
On Saturday, July 13, 2019, Michael Robin Ellwood, loving husband and father of two children, passed away peacefully at age 80 following a six-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. His wife, Jenifer, was at his side when he passed at their residence in Poway (San Diego), California. Robin was born in Leicester, England, to Samuel and Molly Ellwood, who both preceded him in death. He married Jenifer, the love of his life, in 1973, who survives him. He is also survived by his son Christopher and daughter Holly, his granddaughter Amelia, and his brothers Bruce and Barry and sister Susan.
Robin earned a Bachelor of Science degree (w/1st class honours) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nottingham in 1961 and a Masters of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1962. He worked for 50 years as an Electrical and Software Engineer for British Thomson-Houston (Associated Electrical Industries), Philco-Ford and Teledyne and held a patent for one of his many innovative designs. He later worked as an independent consultant for Danford, Global, and GHI Systems
Robin resided with his family in Porter Ranch (Northridge), California for 44 years and became a United States citizen in 1981. He had previously lived in Canoga Park and Woodland Hills, as well as Clear Lake (Houston), Texas. In addition to being a brilliant engineer, Robin was a proficient musician, most notably on the drums and trumpet, but also piano, saxophone, violin, and flute. He enjoyed riding his bicycle daily and was an avid photographer and astronomer. He was an active member of his church, St. Martin in-the-fields, in Winnetka, California.
Obituary kindly supplied by Robin's son, Christopher. Further details available viaThe Michael J Fox Foundation
Jo Faccenda, Geography - August 2009
Keith Foster, Industrial Economics - 1 June 2010
Mary Gould, English
Jeffrey Hindley, History - 3 May 2018
Jack Hogbin, Theology - 17 December 2017
Trevor Hold, Music - 28 January 2004
Keith Howarth, Law
Kathleen Juhasz, German
Colin Keast, Chemistry - 8 August 2022
Elizabeth Law (née Turk), Social Administration - 16 July 2009
Alan (Clive) Lee, Mechanical Engineering - November 2021
Dr Graeme Lee, Mechanical Engineering
Janet Lloyd (née Honey), Mathematics - 26 April 2018
Jean Valerie May (née Hill), French – June 2022
Graham Milner, Theology
John Moore, French - June 2012
Hugh Morris, Zoology/Chemistry - January 2011
Roger Mottram, Psychology
Dr Roger Onyett, Physics/Psychology - 26 November 2022
Richard J Osborn, Physics/Mathematics - 2008
Colin Oxlee, Metallurgy - July 2001
Sarah Paget, Economic History - 2008
Derek Penna, Mathematics - 26 March 2015
Thomas (Alan) Place, Metallurgy - 29 November 2021
Christopher Pronger, Economics - 2016
Gillian Rose, History
Keith Sargent, Electrical Engineering - 9 July 2007
Marguerite Stephenson (née Lindsay), History - 3 May 2015
John Spratling, History - 22 October 2011
Dr Michael Smith, French/Spanish - 30 October 2018
David Sumpter, Agricutlure/Horticulture
Richard Walter Tann, Industrial Economics - 3 October 2013
Gareth Thomas, Chemistry - 22 August 2013
Joan Trubshaw, French - 16 August 2022
Arthur (Dick) Turnell, Matallurgy - 14 January 2024
John Zetter, Geography
After graduating, John trained as a planner, rising to a senior level in the Department of Environment in the late 1970s and 1980s as Head of International Affairs and later Head of Research. From 1982-1986 he was Head of Urban Affairs at the OECD in Paris. He also passed a sabbatical semester as a visiting professor in the urban programme of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and, more recently had been a visiting professor at the Bartlett School of Planning at UCL. For many years he served as a board member, trustee and vice president of the Town and Country Planning Association.Obituary kindly supplied by Roger Zetter.
1962
Robert Ayres, Mechanical Engineering - July 2011
Richard Beacham OBE, Law - 18 June 2008
Keith Bird, Law - 18 January 2018
Alastair Bissett-Johnson, Law - 9 July 2008
David Bromilow, Electrical Engineering - 2023
Philip Brooks, Pharmacy - 10 June 2018
Philip Richard Bowman Brooks, died suddenly at home in Wylam, Northumberland on 10th June 2018, aged 78. He studied Pharmacy at Nottingham University from 1959-1962, and became a relief manager with Boots the Chemist in branches around Suffolk. In 1964 he retrained at Leeds University in Town Planning and worked for a time in many mining villages of the West Riding of Yorkshire. In 1969 he moved to Northumberland, working for the County Council there until his retirement in 1998. He lived in Wylam from 1970, where he became a Parish and District Councillor- starting the village newsletter, setting up the Village Railway Museum- birthplace of George Stephenson- and latterly working with a small group investigating the lives of people listed on the village war memorial. In recent years he enjoyed visiting his daughter, now living in Nottingham. He actively supported the University, latterly through the Nottingham Alumini campaign for student scholarships. He leaves a widow Barbara, daughter Rebecca and son Matthew.Obituary kindly supplied by the Brooks family.
Michael Capes, Physics - June 2018
Robert Carter, Economics - 16 September 2012
John Cayton, Law - 14 September 2011
Graham Coleman, Politics - 15 June 2023
John Davies, Theology - 13 April 2021
Howard Fisher, Law - October 2012
Valerie Gillespie (née O'Reilly), English - December 2007
Ian Gordon, Chemistry - 6 December 2018
Ian devoted his career to teaching rising from Chemistry teacher to Head Teacher over 30 years, returning to the science lab after early retirement.Also during retirement he served 6 years as County Ecumenical Development Officer for Bedfordshire, jointly with his wife, Adrienne, also a graduate of Nottingham University.He died from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at the age of 77. Obituary kindly supplied by Ian's wife, Adrienne.
Maureen Gowers, History - 7 December 2006
The Reverend Canon Bruce Grainger, Theology - 2 September 2019
Michael Greaves, Agriculture/Microbiology - October 2010
Dr Timothy Hall, Botany - 23 February 2016
Joanna Hughes, Russian Studies - 24 December 2013
Kenneth Jones, Chemistry - 2008
John Land, Metallurgy - January 2021
In January 2020, hockey stalwart and former Olympian John Land, passed away peacefully aged 82 following an illness. While at Nottingham, John was part of the 1959-1961 Men’s Hockey team which was named the University’s Greatest Team in 2015. Known as an exceptional athlete and with great pace, John played in the England and GB Men’s Hockey team in the 1960s, taking part in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Rediscovering hockey later in life, he played for England at Masters level, winning gold medals at O60, O65 and O70 levels and played in the first ever team international O75 against Holland in 2015. John did a lot of work for hockey over many years and was instrumental in creating the opportunity and promoting O60s hockey in the North. He was the first north regional representation for the England LX club bringing many North players into international grand masters hockey, and his work now means the North run sides at O60, O65 and O70 level in regional tournaments. He leaves his wife Julie, sons Keith and Nigel, daughter Sheena, their partners and six grandchildren.Full obituary available atGreat Britain Hockeywebsite.
Roger Land, Agriculture/Horticulture/Physiology
Ian Longson, Mining Engineering - 10 September 2018
Derek May, Psychology - 7 January 2018
Dr Anthony McCann, Electirical Engineering - 25 May 2021
McCann, Anthony David (Tony) died on 25 May 2021 aged 79. After Worksop College, he undertook a 5 year student apprenticeship with Richard Thomas and Baldwins, a steel company based in Wales. As part of the “thick” sandwich he obtained a first in Electrical Engineering at Nottingham University. After leaving RTB he spent a year working for Elliott Automation as a project engineer. In 1964 he went to Cambridge to study for a PhD in control systems engineering as a member of St John’s College. His PhD was awarded in 1968 and for the next nine years he worked for Hawker Siddeley in Group Management Services. In 1977 he joined Rolls-Royce Motors Holdings Ltd at Crewe as Corporate Planning Executive. In 1980 Vickers took over Rolls-Royce Motors which resulted in a move to London as Director of Planning, and he was appointed to the Board as Development Director in 1986. In 1989 he left Vickers and joined his wife, Christine (Nottingham, Chemistry 1971) in McCann Research, a consultancy partnership which continued successfully for the next 10 years, Tony consulting on Corporate Strategy and Organisation, while Christine offered Market Research Consultancy in pharmaceuticals. They wound up the partnership at the end of 1999 and saw in the new Millennium on Westminster Bridge before retiring to Bath.
Tony joined Bathampton Parish Council in 2002 and became Chairman in 2003, a post which he held for 12 years. He had a strong interest in motor sport – especially Formula 1 – and was an avid Times reader and cruciverbalist; there were few days when the Times crossword went unsolved.
He was married twice, first to Jenny in 1967 with whom he had two sons, David and Alistair; and second to Christine in 1981. They all survive him. Obituary kindly supplied by Anthony's wife Christine McCann.
Malcolm McPherson, Mining Engineering - 12 November 2008
Kenneth David Miller, Pharmacy - 20 June 2019
Dr Charles (Chas) Miller, Electrical Engineering
David Nalson, History
John Newsome, Electrical Engineering
Edward (Roger) Norburn, English - 17 December 2023
Born and educated in Bedford, Roger came to Nottingham in the late 1950s to study English Literature (a BA followed by an MA). He was a resident of Hugh Stewart Hall where he was also librarian. After graduating Roger began work for the WEA and spent his entire career in adult education until retirement in 1998. He was both a tutor organiser and a teacher focusing, of course, on English Literature which was his life’s passion. Over a period spanning more than three decades many thousands of students have enjoyed courses organised and led by Roger. In later life he published two books in the Palgrave-Macmillan Author Chronologies series on Katherine Mansfield and James Joyce, ensuring that his scholarly work will continue to assist future generations of literature students. Roger maintained a close connection to Nottingham throughout his life. He met his wife Mary, a native of the city, not long after graduating and their only child Jonathan was born here. His nephew and niece studied at the university and the former is currently Professor of Sustainable Building Design in the Faculty of Engineering. Roger is survived by his wife and son who were with him when his life reached a peaceful ending on 17th December 2023.Obituary kindly supplied by Roger's son, Jon
Diane Oldfield, Chemistry - 31 December 1999
Michael Owen, Mechanical Engineering - 11 May 2012
Derek Palmer, Metallurgy - 8 January 2024
Derek died on 8th January 2024 aged 85. He was educated at The City School in Lincoln and at Nottingham University where, in 1962, he graduated in Metallurgy. He started work in Birmingham with a research team in a company that was developing new types of steel. After a few years, he joined the Ministry of Defence as a civil servant where he remained for the rest of his career. He started at the MOD Directorate of Materials Research HQ in London, and thence to Fort Halstead in West Kent where he worked in Government Research and Development. Mid-career, he had four enjoyable years at the British Embassy in Washington DC as UK-US Liaison Officer on all Materials Research and Development between UK and US Defence Laboratories. On his return to Fort Halstead, he worked as a UK Project Manager, liaising with the French and Germans. After a four-year posting at Shoeburyness where he managed the Research and Development on Instrumentation for UK Defence Ranges (and lived in Army Quarters), he returned once again to Fort Halstead. There he took on more and more managerial roles, much of them in international liaison and committee work with the NATO countries, and with the opportunity to travel worldwide; he eventually became Deputy Head at Fort Halstead. Derek enjoyed many happy years in retirement, pursuing his many hobbies, first in Scotland, the perfect location for his love of the outdoors, nature and hill-walking (He was a popular Chairman of the local hill-walking club, the Strathearn Ramblers.) Gardening and competitive photography figured large during his Scottish sojourn. There followed six years in France. Derek loved France: the food, the wine, the weather, the people. He was a creative, self-taught cook and, being naturally extrovert and gregarious, he cultivated many friends in the local market and community. Derek was a talented musician; he was a superb pianist and organist. Throughout his life, he had given his services, freely, to the local community, as parish church organist, or pianist for the local pantomime or variety show. On his return to England, Derek selflessly devoted the last ten, active years of his life to the care of his grandson. The love and support Derek gave to his family was immense; as a husband, father, and grandfather he was fun, energetic, generous and kind. Derek and Sheila had a long marriage, sixty years together, with the usual trials and tribulations, many adventures and shared experiences, yet full of love and joy and mutual respect; they were a great match for each other. Derek is survived by Sheila, his son, his daughter, and three grandchildren. Obituary kindly supplied by Derek's wife, Sheila
David Parker, English - 2 February 2013
Jonathan (Geoff) Pinder, Civil Engineering - 16 January 2024
Doreen Ramsden, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - 2023
Anne Ridings, History - December 2007
Warwick Silber, Physics - 31 August 2015
Janusz Smoczkiewicz, Law - 1972
Dr Edward (David) Steel, Zoology - 17 October 2018
Ann Tollervey, Mathematics - December 1962
Barbara Vaughan (née Grey), Physics
Christopher Wigzell, Philosophy - 10 May 2012
Geoffrey Woodruff, Pharmacy - 1 June 2007
1963
John Abdy, Theology - 27 November 2011
Robert (Bob) Armstrong, Chemistry - 9 January 2020
Bob was an outstanding inorganic chemist, a stalwart of the Nottingham University Jazz Band and a dear friend to his close fellow freshmen of the 1960 intake. Bob, with the benefit of hindsight, was always going to be an inorganic chemist; his grasp of the subject was impressive. After graduation he studied for his MPhil at Northampton Polytechnic, now the City University. He then spent the rest of his long career in industry, first of all in the UK and latterly in the USA, where his initial misgivings about living there gave way to an appreciation of the American way of life. In parallel with his academic studies, Bob was also a trombonist, who played in the London Schools Symphony Orchestra. On arrival at Nottingham he naturally gravitated to the university’s jazz band, lead at that time by the legendary Roger Eames. The band made two long-playing recordings and came second in the Inter-University Jazz Federation Contest in 1961. Bob continued playing when he moved to the States, being involved with two local groups in his home town of Midland, Georgia. Bob also volunteered, latterly, at The Open Door Community House in Columbus, Georgia, teaching the trombone to underprivileged young people. Bob suffered a major heart attack on his birthday, 1 January 2020, and died in hospital eight days later. He was 79.Obituary kindly supplied by Terry Baines (Chemistry, 1963; 1967)
George (Les) Atkinson, Industrial Economics - 18 March 2021
George Leslie Atkinson, known to everyone as Les, died at his home in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday 18 March 2021. Les and I met by serendipity, in the autumn of 1960; the Hugh Stewart Hall process for allocating accommodation had put us together. My first impression of Les was that he had just stepped off a trawler in Hull, with his fishermen’s knit sweater, baggy corduroys, pipe and, most important of all, a big bushy beard. Les was a one-off. That old cliché about the mould being broken after he was born applied to Les like no other person I have ever met. Les had been educated at Bishops Stortford School, so he appreciated the need for some home comforts and consequently he had brought with him in his elderly Austin Seven, a portable radio, a reel-to-reel tape recorder and an electric toaster. The latter acquired notoriety as, while it was carrying out its designated function, it could trip out all the power in L block. Les studied Industrial Economics and, in his final year, 1963, he had a student exchange offer with Kraft Foods in the USA. To enter the USA he needed either a student visa, which carried a six month time limit, or an immigrant’s visa, which was open-ended but which carried with it the risk of the draft. Les, sensibly, enquired at the US Embassy on the chances of his being called-up and he was assured that this was very unlikely. Les landed in New York in late summer 1963 and started working for Kraft as an internal auditor. Six months later he was called up. Les had the option to return home but he decided that his future probably lay in the USA, a brave decision but typical of him. He served his two years, initially in at a camp in Oklahoma, an area he described as desolate. He was then posted to Korea. Fortunately by that time the Korean War was over and the Vietnam War had not yet started.Following his demob, he continued with his role of internal auditor, roaming widely over the States in his station wagon, staying at motels and coping with the suspicions of Kraft employees, associated with his role as company ‘spy’; a seemingly lonely life, which many would have found intolerable, but which Les embraced with his characteristic resilience. He also began his accountancy studies for the Certified Public Accountant qualification, which he achieved in 1976. His travels eventually brought him to Cleveland in 1966, which became a turning point in his life. It was here that he met Linda, his wife to be, and a career change from the peripatetic to the settled role of company accountant. Linda and Les married in 1969 and subsequently had two sons, David and Ian. With his marriage to Linda, Les converted to Judaism. This was no conversion of convenience; with Les’s usual enthusiasm he completely embraced his new faith. In 1986 he became president of his synagogue, a significant honour. In 1998 he was invited to join the board of the Union for Reformed Judaism, a pan-USA organisation and he served on this until his passing. Les developed cancer of the liver in December 2020, which despite a new immunotherapy treatment, progressed aggressively, necessitating hospitalisation in early March. During increasing discomfort and pain, Les remained courteous to the hospital staff. To the end he was true to himself, remaining stoic in the face of finality. Les’ passing leaves an unfillable hole in the lives of all who knew him but most of all for Linda, their two sons and four grandchildren. (Obituary kindly supplied by Terry Baines, Chemistry 1963)
Carol Bain (née Henderson), Pharmacy - 15 May 2009
Dr Paul Baker, Chemistry
Wendy Bateson (née Helsby), Chemistry - 15 June 2018
Wendy was a much loved person who lived a full and useful life. Leaving Nottingham University with a degree in chemistry she promptly changed her career path to one in computing as IT was known then. Rapidly she became an expertin this then new field. Later she met and married her first husband, an American, and moved to the USA. Wendy was a sympathetic and outgoing person and joined in the social life, becoming, among other things, president of the local Soroptimist organisation. Wendy's independent spirit, intelligence and hard work enabled her to pursue a very good career in the USA as an IT consultant to a wide variety of organizations, a career she thoroughly enjoyed. She became a US citizen in 1988 and, after the death of her first husband, married Simon, an engineer from England. Simon and Wendy shared an idyllic marriage of 25 years until Wendy's sudden death on 15th June 2018. She is missed but celebrated by all who knew her, as a truly an exceptional human being.Obituary kindly supplied by Wendy's husband Simon.
Charles Berkeley, French and Spanish - 4 March 2013
Stanley Clements, Electrical Engineering - 6 September 2009
Stanley worked as an engineer for 41 years, 37 of those in the Ontario Nuclear industry. He was instrumental in the development of the SLAR tool, now widely used in the CANDU nuclear generating stations. His speciality became fuel handling, and he was part of an international team that bought the first Romanian nuclear plant into production at Cernavoda in 1996.
Stan was a swim coach for many years, getting as far as Olympic trials with one of his swimmers in 1984, and he also enjoyed sailing and bird watching.
Stan was married to Jacqueline for 44 years and had 3 children (James, William and Elizabeth) and 6 grandchildren.Obituary kindly supplied by Stanley's wife Jacqueline.
Jennifer (Jenny) Christophers (née Brown), Mathematics - 2018
Dr David Coy, Economics/Economic History
Pauline Crombie, Classics - February 2012
Renee De Wit, Pharmacy - 13 September 2010
Roland Fairbrother, Economics - 10 September 2009
Pamela Free (née Rayment), Botany
Alan Frost, Mathematics - 21 February 2019
Roger Hall, Agricultural Sciences - 30 August 2017
Shirley Hardy (née Price), Economic & Social History - August 2008
Christopher Holt, Chemistry - 3 January 2023
When Chris left Nottingham University following his Chemistry degree course, he enrolled on the Teachers for East Africa scheme and went to Mkerere University in Kampala, Uganda, to do his PGCE, having always wanted to be a Chemistry Teacher. On completion of his course there, he was sent to Mwanza, Tanzania, to teach for a year and then to Iringa for another year. He greatly enjoyed these years. He then returned to the UK in 1966 and sought and finally accepted a Chemistry Teacher position at the High School for Boys in Cambridge. During his time there he, along with a colleague, introduced an Easter holiday experience for 6th formers on ex-working narrow boats on the canals. This became a fixture for the rest of his teaching life as well as a personal interest. In 1974 Cambridgeshire went to comprehensive schooling and he moved to Sawston Village College as Head of Science and teacher of chemistry. He retired from teaching in 1993 and in 2004 was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Many past pupils still stayed in touch. In retirement he attended the Lowestoft Boatbuilding College for a year and then pursued his love of working with wood at Thame College on a cabinet making course, during which he produced a clinker built wooden dingy and then some beautiful pieces of furniture. He then discovered the University of the Third Age (U3A) in Cambridge and contributed both administratively and in providing science courses, in particular Science with a Smile for those who had not had a science education at school. Whilst he continued to attend many courses of interest at U3AC almost until his death, the Parkinson's made it difficult for him to continue teaching. We were married in 1970 and in 1974 took on the conversion of an Elizabethan circular dovecote in Haslingfield village. Chris managed the whole project with professional workmen and our own labours whilst still teaching, moving in in 1977. From all the cards and messages we have received he was a much loved and admired husband, father, grandfather, teacher and village member. He died aged 80 at home on 3 January 2023,and many past pupils and teachers attended a Thanksgiving service for him. He is survived by myself, Peter, Edward and Sarah and their families. Obituary kindly provided by Christopher's wife, Pam
Donald Jones, Industrial Economics
Cedric Lea, Mathematics - 4 December 2022
Sir Henry Lee, Hon DLitt - 8 December 1993
Philip Naughton QC, Law - July 2016
Peter Norton, Chemistry - 10 May 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Peter Robert Norton on May 10th 2022 in Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gillian, his son Michael and daughter Kathy, his granddaughters Erica, Naomi, and Emma, and by his sister, Juliet.
Peter was born in a small village in war-time England to parents Robert and Ruth Norton. He attended the University of Nottingham and obtained a B.Sc. in 1963 and a PhD in Chemistry in 1966. He and Gillian travelled to Ottawa in 1967 intending to spend just two years there to further his research career. They both fell in love with life in Canada and lived in Ontario for the next 55 years. His research career took him from the National Research Council, Ottawa, to McMaster University, Hamilton, to Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories and finally to Western University in London where he was a professor and research scientist from 1986 until his retirement in 2011. His scientific career was important to him, and he took rightful pride in recognition bestowed on him by the likes of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Chemistry. His real passion, however, was mentoring students and young professionals and he drew great pleasure from watching their success.
In 1991 he and his wife bought an old wooden cottage at Bruce Beach near Kincardine on the waterfront of Lake Huron. In 2000 they built a house on the site and he and Gillian retired there. The Bruce Beach house was truly his happy place and he loved walking the beach and the wonderful views of the lake and sunsets from the deck, preferably with a drink in hand and surrounded by the company of family and friends.
Peter embraced Canadian winters and loved skiing and snowshoeing on the Niagara Escarpment in the Collingwood area. When home he was a lover of classical music, especially chamber music. His music collection evolved from vinyl, to CDs, to streaming, and he attended live concerts whenever possible. He had a passion for sports, particularly soccer and F1 Racing, and he still followed the FA cup and UEFA Champions league from England.
He was intensely proud of his two children and their accomplishments and delighted in his 3 granddaughters who live in Edmonton and Vancouver. He made the most out of every visit and followed their exploits.
Peter was cultured, intelligent, curious, and kind. He was a great story-teller and raconteur and could entertain friends and strangers alike with humorous anecdotes and explanations of scientific phenomena. He loved good food, good drink, and good conversation. Astronomy was another passion of Peter’s, and sometimes an evening’s entertainment ended with stargazing over the lake through his telescope.
Peter was a big personality who made an impression on every room he entered.
He will be greatly missed.No service is planned at this time. A celebration of his life may be planned for a later date.Arrangements entrusted to Cremation London and Middlesex, (519) 858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com. Obituary kindly supplied by Peter's wife Gillian Norton.
Russell Peakman, Chemistry/Physics - 21 September 2022
Michael Romeril, Chemistry - 9 April 2024
Michael Sargent, Botany - 22 April 2013
Valerie Sargent (née Howcroft), Botany - April 2023
Vivien Stchedroff (née Philip), Music - 10 September 2001
Dr Henry Swan, Animal Production - 11 August 2018
Michael Turner, Economic & Social History - 24 October 2017
Anne Watson (née Gatrell), French - 2016
Richard (Dick) Watson, Civil Engineering - 24 July 2017
Dr Alvan White, Chemistry – 17 August 2022
1964
William (Russ) Barber, Classics - October 2014
Dr Stephanie Barnes, Pharmacy
Bruce Boyce, Agriculture/Horticulture - 1 January 1990
Vaila Cochrane (née Dalby), English - February 2021
Michael Coleman, Industrial Economics - 17 September 2011
Ann Comber, History - 20 January 2018
Baron Leslie Davis, Social Administration - 2009
George Darby, English - 1 February 2013
Carol Downer (née Blight) - 6 January 2011
Brian Dudley, Mechanical Engineering - 2007
Norman Franklin, Chemistry - 15 May 2024
Michael Gill, Law
Sheila Glover, History - 19 December 2011
Pamela Hall (née Cockburn), Pharmacy - 23 August 2015
John Holroyd, Civil Engineering - 27 November 2018
Dr David Hornby, Plant Pathology
Christine Lainé (née Leask), Geography - 18 November 2022
John Leary, History - 1 September 2023
Ann Marsden (née Wheeldon), Pharmacy - 6 August 2002
Christopher John Miller, Law
VivienNewing, Classics - 4 September 2006
Dr Richard Pape, Chemistry - 31 December 2017
Dr Douglas Payne, Mathematics/Economics - 2017
Jennifer Payne (née Turner), Geography - 2015
Derek Pye, Pharmacy - 23 January 2016
Alison Smith (née Hughes), English - 15 November 2017
This vastly elegant and humorous woman died saying she had achieved all she wanted. This included voluntary service overseas in Nigeria, a teaching career in a secondary school in Shropshire, a happy marriage and two daughters, retirement in Bristol and of course an honours degree in Nottingham. She was a buddy to many in Alcoholics Anonymous.Obituary kindly supplied by Valia Cochrane, English 1964
Barry Smith, Pharmacy - 8 August 2015
Andrew Stacey, Geology
George Stewart, Metallurgy - December 2015
Brian Tipper, Agriculture/Horticulture - 30 April 2010
Peter Waister, Agriculture/Horticulture - 2022
Barbara Walker(née Utting), Pharmacy - 2 April 2003
Peter Widdowson, English - 3 June 2009
1965
Graham Askew, German - December 2016
Robert Batey, Geology - 25 March 2012
David Beagarie, Chemistry - 30 December 2015
His Honour Judge Richard Benson, Politics, - 25 August 2017
Ian Briggs, Pharmacy - 20 February 2009
Richard Brignell, Economic & Social History - 8 August 1995
Michael Burgess, Chemical Engineering - 24 June 2018
Graham Butler, Electrical Engineering - August 2009
Edward (Ted) Cooper, English - 17 December 2023
Richard Corkery, Civil Engineering - 23 March 1995
Sally Crooks, Chemistry - August 1990
Dr David Cullington, Civil Engineering
Elizabeth Davies, Mathematics
John Fiddy, Chemistry - 24 December 2017
Graham Fidler, Chemistry
Dr Howard Flack, Chemistry - 2 February 2017
John Gillett, Mechanical Engineering - April 2014
Dr Haleem ul Hasnain, Agriculture
Dr Haleem ul Hasnain’s contributions as a livestock production research specialist, visionary policy planner, and as a skillful administrator in national and international institutions will form a significant part of his legacy. During his lifetime, he set up the Poultry Research Institute in Pakistan, served as Chairman of the Sindh Milk Board, Managing Director of Punjab, Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Development Board, Lahore, and Member-Animal Sciences at the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council. His nearly 70-year professional career is difficult to summarize, but he has left behind a formidable legacy. An extraordinary man of quiet and enormous will and commitment, he spent his life in service to his family, community, and country. He will be greatly missed.Obituary kindly supplied by Dr Saher Hasnain.
David Hall, Economics
Professor Samuel (Sam) Harris, Metallurgy - January 2023
Graham Howells, Spanish - 2012
Edward Hunter, German - July 2020
Richard Johnson, Pharmacy - 4 February 2018
David Jones, Law - 2012
Robert Kelcher, Metallurgy
John Lewthaite, Metallurgy - 2016
David (Dave) Lythall, Physics
Christopher L Martin, Law
Michael Mayo, Botany - 31 December 2008
Gillian Melling (née Francis), Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
Richard Morley, Electirical Engineering - 1 April 2023
Very Reverend John Henry Moses, History - 14 July 2024
After graduating, John trained as a teacher before becoming an Anglican priest, serving first in the Diocese of Coventry, then moving to Essex where he was Provost of Chelmsford Cathedral from 1982-96 and then Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, until his retirement to Southwell in 2006. He always spoke warmly of his time at Nottingham and was happy to exchange memories of the Campus and Student Life.Kindly supplied by Dora Winifred Simmonds and David John Simmonds.
For a full obituary please see Church Times
Robert Murray, Industrial Economics
Malcolm Palmer, French and German - 18 September 2007
David Pargeter, Industrial Economics - April 2010
Anne Peterson (née Wright), Pharmacy - 6 November 2016
Hugh Pratt, Geography - February 2024
Hugh Pratt passed away in February 2024. He was a member of the Nottingham University Football team which won the AFA Senior Cup in 1963. Hughie studied Geography from 1962-65 and was a member of Hugh Stewart Hall. He leaves a wife, Jenny, and their two sons. Obituary kindly supplied by Alan Williams, Industrial Economics (1961-64, Derby Hall)
Dr Michael Sanders, Chemistry - 12 March 2016
Geoffrey Scholefield, History - 1991
Margaret Scott MBE, Horticulture - March 2011
Eveline Seddon, Chemistry
Derek Summers, English - September 2018
Sir John Alan Thomas, Mechanical Engineering - 2017
Sheila Tippett, Chemistry - May 2009
William (Bill) Tippett, Chemistry - 25 September 2014
Online obituaries atthe Guardianand atKetso
Philip Watson, Economics - 9 October 2023
Obituary from the Isle of Wight Country Press
Alastair Wiles, Mechanical Engineering - August 2011
Duncan Willoughby, Economics - 2009
Rosamond Anne Wilson (née Garton), Zoology - December 2012
The Reverend Andrew Woodsford, Theology - 15 November 2019
1966
Colin Bayley, Economics/Economic History - 23 May 2016
Katherine (Kathy) Beaver, Zoology - 20 October 2021
Katy graduated from University of Nottingham in 1966 with BSc (Hons) Zoology. This was followed by two years of volunteering with VSO in Uganda and in 1969 she was awarded an MSc in Nematology from Imperial College, London. Apart from a short time in Manchester in the late 1970s where she gained a Diploma in Adult Education, Katy spent the rest of her life living and working across the world - in Western Samoa and at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. In 1982, she settled in the Seychelles as a freelance biologist, researcher and environmental educator, where she subsequently married Lindsay Chong Seng, a Seychellois biologist. They have two daughters, Karen and Zoe, and a grandson.
Katy was imbued with a love of nature and the environment, an activist for education and conservation, committed to helping others to understand and enjoy the natural world. She was a peace and climate change activist, an author, editor, translator and illustrator, a talented artist and crafter, devoted wife and mother, loyal, thoughtful and loving friend, a brave woman in her own right, and just a lovely person.
RIP dear friend. Obituary kindly supplied by Katherine's friends Pam Bishop (née Hudson), Jane Orchard (née Uttley) and Ruth Watts (née Gent).
Lesley Boardley (née Hooper), Social Administration - 30 June 2021
Robert Boucher, Mechanical Engineering - 25 March 2009
Michael Brett, Mathematics - January 2016
Neil Broady, Law
Douglas Brooks, Botany - 9 July 2009
Robert Bull, Physics
Dr Michael Carr, Agriculture/Horticulture
Carol Cribb (née Duckels), Social Administration - 15 January 2024
Carol Downer (née Blight) - 6 January 2011
John Fereday, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences - 14 March 2011
Derek Fish, Mathematics - April 2006
John Fitton, Chemical Engineering
Christopher Nicholas Gilroy, Physics - 29 September 2013
Susan Hainsworth, Agriculture/Horticulture - February 2013
Jean Hooson, Zoology - 16 August 2013
Born in Halifax, Jean achieved a BSc Hons in Zoology at Nottingham University in 1966 then a PhD in Experimental Carcinogenesis at the Royal Veterinary College in London whilst working at BIBRA, Carshalton, Surrey where she became a Section Leader and Scientific Officer in aspects of Pathology and Toxicology, particularly in rodent carcinogens. In 1983 she progresses to become Head of Pathology at Wyeth Research Ltd, Taplow until 1987. Between 1987 and 1994 whilst working for Shell UK Sittingbourne Kent, she rose to Section Manager, responsible for genetic toxicology, clinical pathology, necropsy, histology and histopathology, managing a staff of 22 Scientists and Technicians and providing expert pathological opinion for the Shell Group worldwide and delivered critical support for specific product registration in Japan, Europe and USA. Also, she strengthened academic links with her department and students and lectured on a variety of courses. Jean joined ITR laboratories Canada in March 1995 as Director of Pathology and was initially responsible for managing their clinical pathology and the pathology departments as well as their pathologists' group. A few years later, she became ITR’s Senior Vice President of Science leading the entire organisation's Scientific group until her retirement and return to England.
A tribute from ITR: "Jean was a living proof of how fine a person can be. She was sincere, she was earnest, she was loyal. She was a good boss to the people on her charge, a great colleague and also a good friend to many at ITR. During her whole career at ITR, Jean worked with passion, integrity, great intellect and big heart. With her death, all of ITR who knew her will miss a highly intelligent, vibrant individual with a rare friendliness and charm and personality. We feel privileged to have known her We honour Jean Hooson by profoundly feeling and expressing our loss and also remembering her as an amazing person who has played a unique and special role at ITR laboratories Canada and in our lives." Obituary kindly supplied by Alison Cusick (née Green) Botany/Zoology (1966) and ITR
Peter Jackson, Physics - 18 September 2022
Robert Jones, Pharmacy - 16 November 2023
William Little, Agriculture/Horticulture - 13 May 2023
Geoffrey Lowe, Physics - 9 June 2008
Jennifer McNeill (née Lapage), English - 17 March 2021
Iris Pape, Pharmacy - 19 August 1995
Barrie Reynolds, Electrical Engineering - February 2024
Dr Michael Ryan, Geology - 25 October 2018
Michael Ryan (1941-2018) Died 25th October 2018 age 77 Graduated 1966 with PhD in Geology. Became a lecturer at Portsmouth Polytechnic retiring in 2002. As well as teaching his research areas were in Norway and Greenland working for the Geological Survey of Greenland. Obituary kindly supplied by Michael's wife, Diana
Sheila Rogers, (née Follett), French - 30 May 2019
Peter Seago OBE LLM JP, Law - 18 May 2017
After graduating, Peter took a Masters degree and became a Lecturer in Law at Leicester University. He moved to the Leeds University School of Law in 1973 and eventually became Head of Department there, before retiring in 2003. Peter wrote and co-wrote various publications on Criminal Law and on the Magistracy. He served for many years as a stipendiary Magistrate, and in 1998, he was awarded an OBE for services to the administration of justice. Obituary kindly supplied by Lawrence C. Samuels LLB (Law 1966)
Philip "Tim" Simpson, Civil Engineering - 2023
Philip Smith, Chemistry - 9 March 2007
Victor Roy Tallis, Industrial Economics - 2023
David (Dave) Tomsett, Pharmacy - 7 January 2021
We first met David nearly 60 years ago but still remember him with affection, despite meeting only occasionally since. As fellow students enrolling on the University of Nottingham's BPharm degree course in 1963, we have been reflecting on the value of friendships made during these important formative years. Some of us needed more forming than others, but David already seemed to be the finished article with an easy-going, amusing and charming manner that stayed with him throughout his life. He brightened up many a dreary chemistry practical; having sailed through his own experiments he would saunter through the lab for a consoling chat with those who were still struggling or who had thrown the wrong solution down the sink. David was born in Kent and moved to Higher Bebington in the Wirral where he was educated at Birkenhead School, which probably set him on the road to being “the smoothest guy in the class”. On graduation he worked in London for Beecham and then Hofmann La Roche, joining the Pharmaceutical Society's Register in October 1967. But it wasn't until he moved to Germany to work in data processing for Lufthansa that he realised his true niche lay in this newly developing industry. Returning to the UK he joined Commercial Union in Caterham, then Zurich Assurance in Portsmouth before finally becoming data processing software manager at the latter’s head office in Zurich. Fluent in German and French, he travelled extensively throughout Europe and the US. Although David did not practise pharmacy for long, he maintained his Royal Pharmaceutical Society membership throughout most of his working life. Our sympathies are with his wife, Daphne, and family. Obituary kindly supplied by Sue Allen (née Hellawell), Adrienne de Mont (Varley), Pam Epps (Jones), Russell Greene, Pam Newton (Darroch), Geoffrey Shand, Michael Stern, Celia Timson (Castledine).
Geoffrey Tonge, Civil Engineering - October 2004
Andrew Ward, Civil Engineering
Patrick Washington, Mathematics/Economics - September 2016
Deanna Wilson (née Evagorou), French - 2023
1967
John Ashley, Education
Peter Frank Bell, Economics - May 2023
Roger Brooks, Pharmacy - August 2011
Trevor Brown, Law - March 2023
Jennifer Butterfield (née Tooby), Theology - 2 April 2023
Rodney Lester Casey, Chemical Engineering - 25 August 2013
Andrew Coleman, Physics
Michael Coles, Chemistry - 4 November 2007
Zena Cooper (née Blance), Geography - March 2024
Terence Copley, Theology - 17 January 2011
Terence Cowham, Geography
Kenneth Doughty, Production Engineering - May 2012
Richard Fogg, Civil Engineering - 31 March 2019
Michael Hallam, Chemical Engineering - 10 February 2011
Simon Handelsman, Mining Engineering – 26 November 2021
Elizabeth Henwood (née Harding), Chemistry - March 2016
Arthur Holden, Chemical Engineering - 2 November 2011
Vaneeta Kilby (née Butler), Classics - 22 November 2018
It is with great sadness that I have to report the sudden death of Vaneeta Kilby née Butler who graduated in 1967 in Classics at Nottingham. We met in 1963 in Florence Nightingale Hall (now FN) and along with several other first year undergraduates. In FN we became good friends and have kept in contact ever since, regularly meeting up and attending Reunions at the University over the years. Sadly, our numbers are declining. Vaneeta entered teaching on graduation and after having children did a variety of jobs including tuition in a prison. Her main contribution to University life was Scorer for the Cricket Club. She loved the game and even accompanied them on their tours. Many FN residents will recall her organising theatre trips to Nottingham Playhouse under John Neville. Dress rehearsal night allowed students to obtain concessionary tickets as well as a group concession. She remained a keen theatre goer and loved Gilbert and Sullivan, becoming a member of the Gilbert and Sullivan International Society and joining them on holidays around the world. In fact, it was on one of these in The Netherlands that she passed away on 22nd November 2018. Vaneeta never wasted an opportunity to be creative. She always carried knitting or sewing, wrote articles for Parish magazines, played the organ in several churches including Bawtry Parish church for the past 30 years and taught many piano pupils. Always a willing volunteer to assist wherever and whenever she could she could drive vast distances in a day. As a pet lover she even had a spell breeding Cavies. She leaves two sisters ,four children, two step daughters and seven grandchildren. She kept a close and loving family with annual holidays house-sharing in Whitby and was a stalwart supporter of all of them.Obituary kindly supplied by Alison Cusick (née Green) BSc 1966
Peter Lawrence, Law
Margaret Lingard (née Elsden), French and Slavonic - 21 January 2024
I am sorry to announce the death on 21st January 2024 of Margaret Lingard (née Elsden), Combined French and Slavonic studies, 1964-67. She leaves Husband Robin, daughters Lucy and Bridget and four grandchildren. Obituary kindly supplied by Margaret Pearson (née Longley), Slavonic studies 1964-67.
Joan Long (née Sweeting), German - July 2007
Geoffrey Marsh, Russian - December 2003
Derek Stanley Macauley, Chemical Engineering - 21 May 2013
Roger Martin, Education - 2006
Roger Minards, Law - 2018
David Morriss, French - 2015
Richard Newton, Law - 2021
Roger Peart, Geology
Graham Quinton, Industrial Economicswith Psychology - 21 May 2011
Jill Reynolds (née Chamberlain), Social Administration - March 2024
Philip Robinson OBE, Industrial Economics - 2011
Angela Speight (née Spooner), Law - 2010
Anna St Leger-Lucas (née Whitehead), French
David Stepto, Metallurgy,
Amanda Stockley (née Baker), Mathematics - 10 October 2019
Peter John Tooley, Food Sciences - 2012
George Thompson, Metallurgy - December 2020
George was awarded his PhD in1970 which he gained at Nottingham. His thesis work involved the study of precipitation of aluminium copper and aluminium lithium alloys. He carried on as a post doc until 1973 when he joined Howson Algraphy. In 1978 he joined the academic staff at the Corrosion and Protection Centre at UMIST. He was promoted to Professor of Corrosion Science and Engineering in 1990. George served as both Head of the Centre and Deputy Head of the School of Materials at the University of Manchester.George retired in 2015, but carried on as Emeritus Professor until he was diagnosed with dementia in 2019.Obituary kindly supplied by George's spouse Marilyn.
Reverend Paul Watts, Theology - 11 August 2019
Paul was born on 14th May 1943, and arrived at the University in 1963 to read Economics. He changed course to Theology in 1965 and graduated in 1967. Virtually all his working life was in Nottingham as an Anglican cleric, the director of Nottingham Council of Voluntary Service, and latterly as a senior manager in the City of Nottingham Education department. He married Ruth (Gent - Geography 1963-66) in 1968. They had two sons, Richard and Simon, and four grandsons. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2001 and became chair of the Nottingham Parkinson's group until ill health made that role impossible.Obituary kindly supplied by Ruth Watts (née Gent), Geography 1966
Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, Agriculture/Horticulture - 10 September 2023
Please see obituary published byThe University of Nottingham
Peter Winstanley, Geography
Jonathan Young, Mechanical Engineering - 1 January 2007
1968
Keeling Anthony, Electrical Engineering - May 2006
Roger Barker, Economics - 2004
Geoffrey Beevers, History - August 2015
David Begley, Zoology - 6 July 2023
Professor Christine (Chris) Bellamy (née Turner), Politics - May 2017
Please see obituary published byThe Academy of Social Sciences
John Bishop, Chemistry/Psychiatry - 2008
Michael Blanks, Pharmacy - January 2017
Derek Bowler, Chemistry - 21 November 2012
Richard Bristow, English - June 2017
Timothy (Tim) Bryan, Mining Engineering - 18 October 2023
Michael J Burton, Physics - May 2014
Charnchai Charuvastr, Electrical Engineering - 11 February 2011
Ronald Clowes, Economics
Colin Cooke, Chemistry - 22 April 2024
Colin Cooke, apart from 2 years doing research at Reading University, spent his whole career working for the Health and Safety Executive, first in London and then in Bottle from 1985 to 2012. He worked on the Noxious Substances notification scheme for several years. In retirement he was involved with Formby Civic Society and the Shyira Trust Rwanda charity linked to St. Luke's Church in Formby. He managed to continue with these right up to his final week in spite of huge mobility challenges. Obituary kindly supplied by his wife Margaret Cooke.
Zena Cooper (née Blance), Education - March 2024
Malcolm Cowen, Mathematics
Rosemary Davies (née Greenwood), English - 3 January 2010
Richard Edwards, Philosophy - 26 December 2018
Gillian Gates (née Alexander), Theology - March 2008
Timothy Gilbert, Psychology
John Francis Glazier, Environmental Physics - 23 October 2012
Frank Golightly, Metallurgy - 2010
Gillian Green (née Waller), Agriculture/Horticulture - 23 July 2019
John Green, Chemistry - 15 October 2014
Jacqueline Hague, Politics - 2023
Allan Hall, Mining Engineering - 14 November 2010
Frederick Harper, Agriculture
Margaret Hayter (née Swallow), Chemistry - 22 January 2010
Professor Alan Hooper, Chemistry - 23 March 2020
Janet Jenkins , Sociology - 2020
Roy Jessop, Politics - September 2008
Hilary Jones (née Smith), History - 7 August 2022
Hilary died suddenly 7 August 2022 aged 75. She was born and brought up in Hampstead, attending Camden School for Girls. After graduating she eventually obtained a post at the Public Record Office, now the National Archives. She retired from there in 2006.
She was married to David (maths 1967) for almost 52 years, had 2 children, Andrew and Rachel and settled in Watford and Bushey for her married life.Obituary kindly supplied by Hilary's huband David Jones.
Patrick Keilthy, Economic and Social History - February 2017
David Law, Economics/Social History
Roger Lintonbon, Chemistry - July 2011
Robert Littlewood, Agriculture - 23 August 2023
David Lougher, Chemistry
David Mallison, Mining Engineering - 27August 2010
Hugh Martin, Mechanical Engineering - 2010
David McWilliam, Mechanical Engineering - 7 November 2015
Nigel Pearson, Mining Engineering - December 2017
Alan Ritchie, Electrical Engineering - 2021
Richard Shorter, Physics - 9 May 2021
It is with great sadness that the family of Richard James Shorter B.Sc. C.Eng M.I.Mech.E A.C.M.A C.G.M.A announces he passed away peacefully on May 9th 2021, at the age of 74 at Basildon Hospital surrounded by his family, after his aortic aneurysm ruptured.
Born 11 April, 1947 in Rochford; married 1974; divorced 1994; survived by 3 children – Sarah an accountant, Annabell a network and security engineer, Peter a commercial pilot, 4 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, no dog but 3 fish.
Richard graduated from Nottingham University in 1968 with a B.Sc. (Hons Physics, 2.1) and worked primarily as an engineer for 35 years for Ford Motor Company Ltd. Based almost entirely at the Research and Engineering Centre, Dunton where he was a specialist in the design of off-board diagnostics systems for use in vehicle repair workshops, and combustion engines. He presented the 1987-88 IEE Faraday Lecture Tour, co-authored several papers and presented lectures on diagnostic systems. He also represented Ford at an EU commission anti-competitive investigation. He had a 10 year break into Finance, in his own words "1975 Truck Pricing Analyst. This was the only job I had that was not based at Dunton. It involved writing pricing papers for all European markets during a time of high inflation and rapid price movements and was extremely boring. My first management position was Profit Co-ordinator for the 1981 Erika program (the first FWD Escort). This involved working with Product Planning, Marketing, Cost Analysis (the interface to product engineering), Investment Analysis (the interface to manufacturing), and Central Finance. During this time the first desktop computers (Apple lie) and spread sheet (VisiCalc) arrived and I quickly realised their significance. Everybody else used a spreadsheet like a typewriter and created a new one for each application, with much entering of data and formulae followed by checking and correction of errors. I had done some programming in Algol at university and realised that it was possible to program a generic spreadsheet for payback and TARR calculations that only required a small amount of data to be entered. Then followed a career change to Computer Systems in 1983. Initially, I was on loan from Finance to Systems for one year but stayed much longer."
In fact, he never went back. During his stay in hospital I read him a book he had bought about Ford and it became apparent he really had enjoyed a career during its design and engineering glory days.
Professionally, Richard had a very rare talent being an engineer and a qualified accountant, a very rare combination of skills which stood him in good stead in his professional life. He established a reputation for being able to solve unusual problems and continued this well into retirement fixing amongst other things his boat, friend’s cars, boilers and the endless cheap toys that couldn’t stand up to his grandchildren’s play. Needless to say; his friends and colleagues had nothing but respect for Richard's intellect but also his wit. Many recall the times he had them crying with laughter, often unintentional on his part.
Richard was a town councillor for Rayleigh, Essex where he lived for almost 50 years in the same house. He was an auditor for 10 churches and 1 Scout group accounts for over 30 years, donating his fees back to his own local church. His interests included first and foremost his boat, having owned sailing boats for 15 years since 1970 and motorboats since then. He did all his own maintenance and repairs and was frequently contacted by other boat owners for advice. He also enjoyed latest trends in fireworks and what was going on in the pyrotechnic industry, ballroom dancing, camping and teaching Scouts to sail, garden birds, growing cucumbers, tomatoes and strawberries, steam trains and the Vulcan restoration project. His passion for science never left him and he continued to be well read and forever learning. He was a lifelong supporter of his university and visited frequently.
He lived his life to the end exactly as he wanted it. Whilst his sudden loss is felt widespread throughout his community, family and friends, we take a small comfort that he had been so active and never experienced the decline he was convinced would come (he was a big supporter of Alzheimers research). We lowered his flag to half-mast (probably the only home In Rayleigh to have one!) and he will be going to ground with the ensign from his boat. Obituary kindly supplied by Richard's daughter Sarah Downing.
Diana Stagg (née Adkins), Chemistry - 9 June 2006
John Turner, Medieval and Modern History - 2022
Robert Upton, Pharmacy - July 2023
Mary Vick (née Corben), Botany - 30 March 2005
Elaine Ward (née Cliffe), Theology - March 2018
Donald Wright, Economic and Social History
1969
Rodney Banks, Mechanical Engineering - August 2018
Hilary Barker (née Kitcat), Zoology - 26 April 2023
Hilary Barker was an unstoppable force with a beaming smile and infectious laugh that drew people towards her. Full of talents, generosity and humour with a tenacious knack of persuasion, she shared her knowledge and skills with anyone who showed an interest. Brought up in London suburbs, she went to Nottingham University and studied zoology during the swinging 60's followed by a masters in conservation at University College London where she joined many societies with enthusiasm.
By the late 60's she had met and married her soul mate Bernard Barker who had been an RAF aircraft engineer with a passion for the outdoors and ornithology. Together as employees of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers they were sent to Scotland to start up a northern office at 70 main street Doune known as the Conservation Corps.. A busy place with a massive room at the rear, known as 'the hangar' (previously Doune Garage) filled with tools and land rovers. Armed with typewriters and enthusiasm, they orchestrated a team of volunteers with earnest and well informed debates about all aspects of wildlife and ecology.
The last 11 years of Hilary's life were plagued with illness and accidents but her sunny nature kept her going. After Bernard died a few years ago, she found it hard to paint for some time, but the skill which she had developed, while doing everything else, came back, and we are left with a legacy of impressive highland cow paintings that have even been spotted at Edinburgh Airport, not to mention worldwide.Obituary kindly provided by John Burdett.
Christine Bergan (née Walker), Classics - 26 November 2010
Clive Blackaby, Chemistry - June 2023
Jean Bostock (née King), Geography - 7 September 2019
Marion Cavalot (née Belton), Mathematics/Economics - 8 October 2020
Marion Ann Cavalot née Belton of Blackpool passed away on Thursday 8th October 2020.
She had lived independently, was active in her families lives and in her community, and had always enjoyed reasonable health other than the usual wear and tear of getting older. In early summer 2020, she experienced some unusual health issues and was diagnosed in August with an incurable brain tumour. She had surgery in early September to reduce the impact of the tumour and give her the possibility of a few more months of quality life, but she did not respond well to the operation and her health deteriorated rapidly in the days and weeks following this.
Marion died peacefully in hospital, her family were fortunate to be able to see her every day and for the final few days were able to spend much more time with her when she was moved to a side room. She had just turned 73 years old and repeatedly said “I have had 72 good years”.Obituary kindly provided by daughter Jo.
Sylvia Cowling (née Chapman), Slavonic Studies - 11 November 2022
Alan David, Pharmacy - 2023
Margaret Dutton, Theology - 20 September 2021
Ruth Ford (née Clark), Theology - 2008
Peter William Freeman, Chemistry - 13 May 2010
Peter has a BSc in Chemistry anda PhD and since 1974 has lived in Australia where he leaves a widow and two sons.The above obituary was kindly supplied by Peter's sister.
Nicholas B Forrest, Chemistry - January 2014
John Hollick Frisby, Education - 2013
Stephen Gentry, Chemistry - 10 March 2006
Quentin Gillard, Geography - 15 November 2022
Janet Holmes (née Bowler), French
Margaret Johns (née Perry), English and American Studies - 6 December 2018
Margaret passed away on 6th December 2018 after a short illness. During her first year at Nottingham, Margaret was resident in 'The Oaks' which was then an annexe of Florence Boot Hall. Following graduation Margaret gained a PGCE and had a career as a teacher. Margaret kept in touch throughout her life with two other residents of Oaks, at the time, Lynn Boothman, Sociology 1969 and Tanya Robins (née Richings), Politics 1969. Obituary kindly supplied by Tanya Robins
Carole Johnson, Politics - November 2011
Kevin Jones, Slavonic Studies
Edward Kemsley, Civil Engineering
Brian Kerry, Agriculture/Horticulture - 2013
Adrian Lee, Industrial Economics - January 2011
Brian Leggott, Mining Engineering - 13 February 2020
Graham Littler, Mathematics Education - 1 January 2009
John Lodge, Electrical Engineering - 15 April 2011
Dr Pantelija Nikolić, Physics - 17 July 2018
Martin Openshaw, Metallurgy - 20 October 2010
Elizabeth Palmer, Education - March 2007
Martin Plant, Sociology - 16 March 2010
Andrew Pyle, Electrical Engineering - 21 June 2012
Elizabeth Rorison, Music - 24 June 2011
Pamela Salisbury, Law/Sociology - 2017
Jeremy Scudamore, Geography - 29 August 2011
Hilary Smith (née Bluck), Pharmacy - 25 November 2011
Peter Stanley, Chemistry – 14 February 2022
Paul Wickham, Law - 26 May 2019
Dr Anthony Wildig, Mining Engineering - 2023
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1950– 1959
1950
Frederick Ashley, Mining Engineering
Roy Ashton, Law - May 2007
Geoffrey Baguley, History - 12 December 2018
James Baker, Chemistry - 3 May 2010
George Braisby,Mathematics/Physics - 9 February 2008
Michael Brodie, Chemistry - 1 April 2011
Roger Burton, Physics - 30 January 2013
Anthony Chapman, Electrical Engineering - 10 September 2009
James Chilton, Pharmacy - 2012
Professor John Cole, Geography with Spanish - 1 April 2020
John Peter Cole, Emeritus Professor of Human and Regional Geography at the University of Nottingham, passed away on 1 April at the family home in Bramcote Hills, Nottingham at the age of 91. He was born in Sydney, Australia on 9 December 1928 and spent his early years there and in the south of France before his parents returned to live in Orpington, Kent. He attended Bromley Grammar School before obtaining a scholarship to the University of Nottingham to study Geography with Spanish, obtaining a BA and an MA. Following a year at the University of Pavia in Italy on a British Council scholarship, he returned to the University of Nottingham in 1951 as a demonstrator in the Department of Geography and then carried out his National Service in the Royal Navy, training as a Russian language interpreter and retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1954. After a year working in Peru at the National Office for Planning and Urban affairs he lectured at the University of Reading for one year before resuming his academic career at Nottingham, where he obtained his PhD and was also awarded a D.Litt (Doctor of Letters) in 1990 in recognition of his extensive range of publications. He taught until his retirement in 1994.
Professor Cole’s academic work and research reflected his language skills and his passion for travel. In 1952 he married Isabel Urrunaga, from Peru, and developed a strong interest in Latin American geography, although he also specialised in the geography of the Soviet Union through his advanced knowledge of Russian. He was also extremely active in quantitative methods in geography and was largely responsible for the introduction of computing into the subject. During later years he focused more on global development issues and the European Union. His publications include the best-selling Geography of World Affairs (1959-1983), Geography of the USSR (1961 with F. C. German), Italy (1964), Latin America (1965 and 1975) and Quantitative Geography (1968 with C. A. M.. King). He also published school textbooks, New Ways in Geography (1963 to 1982 with N. J. Beynon), Peru 1940-2000: Performance and Prospects (1978 with P. M.. Mather), as well as the Development Gap (1981) and the Geography of the European Union (1993 and 1997 with F. J. Cole).
He worked abroad as a visiting lecturer at the Universities of Washington, Columbia, Mexico, Valparaiso, Nanjing and Beijing. Following his retirement he continued to write and to travel extensively with his wife Isabel. He was an accomplished artist, with many pen and ink drawings and oil paintings of places he visited, a dedicated father to his two sons Francis and Richard, and a doting grandfather to his eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Following the death of Isabel he married Karen de Bres who was his faithful companion in Nottingham until he passed away peacefully at home.Obituary kindly supplied by John's son, Francis
George Cooley, Chemistry - 23 April 2006
Peter Dodson, French - 13th December 2010
Kenneth Foster, English - 4 June 2010
Patricia Glover (née Entwistle), Combined Studies – 1 February 2022
Ronald Goodwin, Civil Engineering - May 2011
Hilary Granger (née Wiltshire), English - 1 October 2008
Max Hardman, Urban and Regional Planning - 20 April 2023
Roger Holt, Agriculture - 18 September 2009
Tamara Hughes (née Jones), Pharmacy - 30 December 2017
Desmond Howlett, Physics - 17 December 2009
Albert Kendrick, Physics - 10 May 2008
Mavis Kennedy (née McAlister), French - November 2016
Thomas Lewis, Law
Alistair Limpitlaw, Engineering - 10 December 2007
Beryl Jackson (née Jones), Pharmacy - 5 October 2019
Kenneth Oswald Samples, Pharmacy - May 2013
Phyllis Samples (née Johnson), Pharmacy - 22 May 2022
Norman Shelley, Mechanical Engineering
Gwyneth Shepherd, English - 13 February 2012
Alfred Simms, Mathematics - 30 November 2011
Dr Anthony (Tony) Simpson, Physics
I am writing to inform you that sadly my father who studied at the university in the 1950's has passed away. The father of one of his school friends made a lot of money by inventing two way stretch bras and as a consequence had a car (almost unheard of at the time). He gave dad a lift one evening and had to stop off en route at his lab. Dad was so impressed by the lab that he asked the man what dad had he to do to get there; the man said ‘get your school certificate’ so dad decided to take some interest ‘all this rubbish they (teachers) were chatting about’. Prior to this, dad’s father had spoken with the housemaster, who suggested ‘forestry, as there was plenty of fresh air and not much thought required’. When dad was 16 his father said ‘that there was as much chance of Tony passing the exam (School certificate) as the Labour party had of getting into power’ both succeeded in 1945.
As he had done so well in Chemistry, as a result of his passion for explosives, he was put down for a Chemistry course at Nottingham but persuaded his Professor (Bates) to let him to change his preferred choice of Physics. Whilst at University he made a television set at home, but as the only transmitter was in London, he needed to put an aerial on the roof - very nearly falling off in the process. The component parts were spread around the bedroom including a 2000 volt supply to the cathode ray tube. The first time it worked properly, the picture showed the Oxford Cambridge boat race with one boat nearly sinking. As it could only receive picture it had to be re-tuned to find out who nearly sank. He went on to complete a PhD at Nottingham in 1954 entitled ‘The thermal properties of magnetic materials’. He described it as a very esoteric with a slight self-reproach, reinforcing the fact that he has always thought of himself as a practical man.
After completing his PhD, it was either find a research post or join the army. He went to work as a research scientist for Plessy at Caswell in Towcester, Northamptonshire. Mum worked in the factory painting colour codes on components, while her sister worked on the switchboard. It was at Plessy where he famously saved time by liquidizing all the component parts of his breakfast before consuming them with inevitable outcome. He worked there for 13 years until overworking led to a detached retina. The surgeon, who spot-welded it back with a laser, advised getting a less stressful job.
Whilst in the Eye Hospital, Dad saw an advert in the New Scientist magazine for a job in the new Materials Science Department based at Sussex University. Dad always hated being referred to as an academic, indeed, at his office at Sussex University he used to keep a copy of the dictionary definition of academic - ‘Abstract Un-practical theoretical and cold’ - to remind people that he didn’t want to be seen as such.Obituary kindly supplied by Leigh Simpson
Richard Srawley, Law - 21 March 2022
Peter Stevens, English - 14 May 2009
Leonard Sutton, Chemistry - 6 March 2009
William John Symes, Civil Engineering - 14 July 2013
Norman Thompson, Civil Engineering - 2012
Dr Raymond Thompson CBE, Chemistry - 23 March 2018
Geoffrey Walmsley, Electrical Engineering - February 2010
Derek Warsop, History - 2 August 2010
Rachel White (née Pumphrey), Botany and Zoology - 11 November 2012
Stuart Whitton, Agriculture/Horticulture - 2005
Alan Wilson, Botany - 19 November 2010
Peter Wingham, Engineering - 7 March 2011
Geoffrey Yarlott, Grouped Subjects - 25 November 2009
1951
Betty Aitken (née Hooper), English
Peter Arculus, Chemistry - 2015
Dick Basford, French - 1 April 2019
Philip Bell, Chemistry/Geology - 13 April 2002
Margaret Bloumfield, Chemistry - April 2014
Terence Blumfield, Chemistry - 9 May 2011
Peter Bostock, English - February 2016
Sylvia Branfield, Mathematics - 18 May 2023
Roger Cady, Geography/Economic Social History - March 2024
Bernard Channing, Mathematics
David Montgomery Clifford, Industrial Administration - 15 April 2013
Gwendolen Dale (née Heselton), Physics/Mathematics - 26 January 2009
Richard Dewing, Agriculture - 21 October 2020
Christine Eberlin (née Trotman), Chemistry
Ken Everett, Chemistry - 3 March 2014
Cedric Fermidge, Chemistry - 19 January 2007
Doreen (Alfreda) Ford (née Page), Latin - 1 October 2006
Dr (Raymond) Eric Ford, Chemistry - November 2016
Michael Fox, Agriculture/Horticulture – 20 August 2022
Michael Garrety, English - 21 December 2009
Henry David Godson - February 2013
Dennis Guereca, Applied Social Science - 2March 2007
Margaret Haddon (née Maycock), Chemistry - 13 November 2020
Margaret Maycock was the first member of her family to stay at school beyond the age of 14 and against all the odds she went to Nottingham University, graduating with B.Sc (Hons) in Chemistry in 1951. She was one of only three girls in her year studying Chemistry, and one of the first students to gain a University of Nottingham degree instead of an external London degree. Margaret chose Nottingham University because her boyfriend, Gordon Haddon, had gone up the year before. He was very active in the University Rifle club and Territorial Army shooting teams under the famous Colonel Shaw and Dad talked mum into having a go. In 1950 she was Women’s Team Captain, she shot at Bisley, and one of the proudest achievements of her life was being the first woman ever to be selected for a Territorial Army rifle Team. Mum always valued education as the route to a better life. She became a teacher herself and as Head of the Chemistry Department at Northampton High School for Girls she inspired many girls to aspire to previously unimagined heights, and did all she could to help them to reach their potential.Obituary kindly supplied by Margaret's daughter, Christina.
John Hagyard, Social Administration - 18 June 2010
John Hawkins, Botany
Eric Henshaw, Electrical Engineering - 31 January 2011
George Hern, Agriculture/Horticulture - 15 December 2011
Michael Holmes, Chemistry
Alan Holvey, Grouped Subjects - 13 February 2019
Charles Horrell MBE, Agriculture
E Ruth Humphrey (née Whiteley), Geography - 9 October 2018
It is with great sadness that Robin Humphrey has to let you all know that dear Mum, Ruth, passed away on Tuesday 9th October, 2018. Mum is and always will be very sadly missed. She has not gone, she is not departed, she is merely “in the garden”, digging and weeding, pruning and clipping. In recent years, Mum had moved from the family home in central Solihull we’d lived in since moving from Wallasey in 1968. She took up residence in a ‘sheltered living’ home and really enjoyed the company of many of the other residents. She adapted so well to her new life there. Mum had so many varied pursuits in life, from gardening and horticulture, to painting, to travel, to history … anything of interest in fact. Mum has led a hugely varied life, from her birth in Stockport, Cheshire, to growing up in Derbyshire as a little girl, from Girl Guides (the first Queen’s Guide in the UK) to an equal to my father as principal of Egbado College in Illaro, Nigeria, from mother to 4 children, to teacher in Solihull in 3 different and varied schools, and from retiree enjoying pottering in her garden to running the Olton Station plant volunteers group, from traveller of the World (where had she not visited?) to simply Mum, listening to her favourite Radio 4 programmes or Classic FM, and nipping to her Wednesday St Helens lunch club – Mum will always be with us, always. Mum’s time at Nottingham University was such a central part of her life. She met Colin, her husband to be and also John Hewes, who became my father’s best man in 1952 when Mum and Dad married. Uncle John as we called him then married Peggy in 1956 and all four of them remained such good friends throughout their lives. Ruth Humphrey also kept in touch with many other friends from her days at Nottingham where she studied geography.Obituary kindly supplied by Ruth's son, Robin
His Majesty Sultan Tuanku Ja'afar, Law - 27 December 2008
William Jackson, English/French - 13 November 2007
George Kelsey, Chemistry - 12 July 2013
William Kent, Agriculture/Horticulture - 13 November 2004
John Chrysostom Kiwanuka - 12 June 2010
Robert Ikin Leather, Botany - 28 November 2007
During the war, Robert served in the Royal Marines at the D-Day landings and in the Far East. After graduation he worked in Her Majesty's Colonial Serviceand with the United Nations as a Plant Pathologist and Coconut Agronomist in Ghana, Jamaica, Hong King, Fiji, Trinidad and Western Samoa. Robert leaves his wife, June, (Botany 1951), five adult children and fifteen grandchildren.Obituary kindly supplied by Robert's wife, June
Anthony Light, Geography - 7 February 2021
Dr Eric Light - French and German - 3 December 2020
Joseph Mason, Geology - 14 January 2021
Beryl Moore (née Wheatman), Education - November 2014
Elizabeth Newsom(née Palmer), Psychology - 6 February 2014
Alan G Norman OBE, Civil Engineering - February 2014
My father Alan Norman was a student at Nottingham University 1948-1951. BSc Civil Engineering. He died last year aged 90. After serving with The Hampshire Regiment (he was in the first wave of landings on D-Day where he was wounded several times) he went to Nottingham University as a mature student, his career went from Stanton and Staverley, (Notts) to Redland Pipes (Surrey) from 1968, where he became Technical Director. After Lafarge took over Redland, he worked for The British Pre-cast Concrete Federation in Leicester. A life spent in concrete (mostly pipes and lighting columns). As my brother commented in his eulogy "at one time you were probably standing over or under something he had designed"! He met my mother when he was in Derby Royal infirmary recovering after the D-Day landings, she is still alive and well, and the living room of her house is still dominated by the print of Nottingham University.Obituary kindly supplied by Alan’s son, Andrew.
Professor Peter Pell OBE, Civil Engineering - 13 December 2016
Peter Seward Pell, Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham died aged 93 on 13th December 2016. Peter Pell’s life was devoted to the University and his family, following military service during World War 2 in the Royal Engineers and a short period as a consulting engineer. He established an international reputation for his pioneering experimental research into the fatigue strength of bituminous materials for road construction, which started in 1954, and extended his interests into new design methods for roads. Peter Pell was essentially a Nottingham man. He was born in the County, the son of Joseph and Philippa Pell on 27th November 1923. Although he went to Sutton Valence School in Kent he returned to Nottingham as an undergraduate in 1947 after his war service as a Major in the Royal Engineers. He was amongst the first tranche of graduates awarded Nottingham degrees in 1951, following granting of the University’s charter in 1948. After graduation, Pell joined the consulting firm of Oscar Faber and Partners as a structural engineer before returning to the University in 1954 to begin research on the fatigue strength of bituminous materials, working on a contract awarded by Shell. He was appointed as a lecturer in 1956 and was successively promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1962, Reader in 1966 and to a Chair in 1970. In 1980, he was appointed to a four year term as a Pro-Vice-Chancellor and, in 1982, also took on the task of leading his department following the retirement of Professor Rex Coates. Pell was appointed as Dean of Engineering in 1984 for a three year term and he retired in 1989 after 35 years’ service to the University. He was awarded an OBE in the 1990 New Year’s Honours list for services to higher education. His marriage to Janet Huntley on 21st August 1948 was a long and happy one lasting 67 years. She predeceased him by just 10 months. They were very much a team and provided frequent, generous and enjoyable hospitality to colleagues and visitors alike at their home overlooking the Trent valley. He is succeeded by two sons, Robert and Charles, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.Obituary kindly supplied by Professor Stephen Brown.
Pamela Pullen (née Gray), Grouped Subjects
Clere Richardson (née Baker), Zoology - October 2010
(Eileen) Mabel Roberts (née Alexander), Physics - 3 September 2021
After leaving University, Eileen worked in the development laboratories at Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft in Whitley, Coventry, then in 1954 moved to Elliott Bros (London) Ltd at Borehamwood, Herts, where she worked on the development of microwave instruments until her marriage in February 1959 to another Nottingham graduate that she had met at Elliot’s – Bernard Roberts. She moved to Newport to be with Bernard and worked at STC for a while before they started a family. After the death of Bernard in an airplane crash in 1969 she moved to Stonehouse, in Gloucestershire in 1973, and taught part-time at the local Technical College while bringing up her son and looking after garden. In 1989 she moved to Banbury, Oxon, and continued to do a little voluntary and paid teaching at the College of Further Education until 1997. Mum continued to be active, travelling both locally and internationally, taking great delight in visiting new places, running the local neighbourhood watch and tracing the family history getting all the way back to 1672. When she wasn’t doing this she could be found redesigning and pottering in her garden, building compost heaps and greenhouses. In 2014 she moved to Cosby in Leicestershire to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. She passed away quietly in her sleep on 3rd Sept 2021. Obituary kindly supplied by Eileen's son Neil Roberts.
Alan Rodway, English - 30 May 2008
ErnestSalisbury, French - 16 January 2014
Dr Peter Salter, Agriculture/Horticulture
Alan H Shaw, French - 11 February 2008
Graham Shepherd, Chemistry/Physics - February 2012
Audrey Sillis (née James), French
Ronald Slater, History/Economics - 31 December 2009
Gracie Mary Stubbs (née Daniel), History - 2017
Sheelah Symes MBE (née Williams), Social Administration - April 2016
Alfred Tardif, Physics
John Topliss, Chemistry - 19 March 2021
For a full obituary please see the Nie Funeral Homes website.
Philip Vincent, Classics
Dr Roy Wade DSc, Chemistry - 10 May 2019
Roger Wallace, Agriculture/Horticulture - 14 June 2010
William Weston, Agriculture/Horticulture - 2021
Gerald White, Agriculture/Horticulture - February 2006
Brian Wills, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Science
Richard Wiseman, Geography - 19 December 2020
1952
John Allen, Music/French - January 2016
Jean Anderson (née Brown), English - 2016
Kenneth Anderson, Economics/Economic History - 21 October 2017
Peter Andrews, Chemistry – April 2022
Peter graduated from Nottingham with a BSc in Chemistry in 1952 and qualified as a teacher in London. He went on to receive a MA and PhD in Education from the University of London before becoming Headmaster of Dronfield Henry Fanshaw School in 1964. He held several positions as Chair of examination boards in the East Midlands and was for a time Chairman of the Standing Conference of Examination Boards and President of the Secondary Heads Association. He was an Adviser to the Parliamentary Select Committee for Education, Science and the Arts and was appointed C.B.E for Services to Education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list of 1983. His Christian faith was central to his life: he was a Methodist Local Preacher from 1954 until he was over 90. As a dedicated Biblical Scholar, he taught courses and shared his knowledge with diverse groups of people, keen to gain a more thorough understanding of Biblical teaching. He met Kathryn, his wife, at Nottingham University (she was a Mathematics graduate). She predeceased him in 2015. They are survived by their three children; Elisabeth, Stephen and Deborah; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Obituary kindly supplied by Peter's daughters, Elisabeth Stanners and Deborah Andrews.
John Asquith, Chemistry/Physics – 1 March 2022
Hazel Atkinson (née Gullis), Mathematics/Physics - 13 May 2017
John Avison, Agriculture/Horticulture - December 2015
Annie Bows (née Lloyd), Spanish/French
Professor Horace Barker, Mathematics - 19 February 2024
Professor Horace Anthony Barker (DOB 24/3/1931) passed away on 19/2/2024.He had an illustrious career spanning many decades, most recently at Swansea University. He is survived by his spouse, Jennifer Barker. Obituary kindly supplied by Horace's spouse, Jennifer.
David J Bremner, Chemistry - October 2016
Anthony (Tony) Brooks, Agriculture/Horticulture - 24 July 2006
John Osborne Brown, Law - July 2013
Reginald Busby, Chemistry - 23 August 2023
Marilyn Carter(née Edwards), English
Dr Enis S. Catanach-Holmes (née Stokes), Botany - 3 June 2018
Brian Clark, Social Administration - 30 January 2010
(Olive) Ruth Clark (née Douglas), English - 25 June 2012
Rosalind Clarkson (née Addison), English - May 2017
Ann Clifford (née Willson), Social Administration - 23 April 2021
Ann Clifford died 23 April 2021 aged 89 years. Ann graduated in 1952 with a BA honours first class in Social Administration. She had excelled at Bromley Grammar school in Mathematics but her chosen degree reflected a life-long concern for social welfare. Her wartime experience no doubt contributed to this, often describing the social conditions she had seen in her early teens whilst evacuated to north west Scotland. At Nottingham she met and later in 1954 married army officer David Clifford (BA Industrial Administration). For eighteen years as an ‘Army wife ‘ they travelled to and lived in Hong Kong and Germany as well as Yorkshire, Dorset, Kent and Hampshire. It was a ‘nomadic’ life she said but loved it. Bringing up Peter who was born in 1955 and Nicky in 1958 was a big part of these years. When David retired from the army they moved to Hertford where they lived for the next 40 years. Ann worked as both a teacher, social worker and trainer for social workers in both Haringey and Hertfordshire. Her retirement was marked by activity with a wide range of volunteer, church and charitable projects with the elderly and those in need. She and David also spent time caring for their grandchildren, two of whom have now also graduated from Nottingham University. After David’s death in 2013 she moved to an independent retirement complex in Cambridge. Throughout all these years she maintained contact with the many friends she and David had made. Obituary kindly supplied by Ann's son, Peter Clifford.
Roger Davy, Geography - 27 January 2016
Graham Day, Civil Engineering - 23 September 2018
Margaret Deeble (née Jones), Agriculture/Horticulture - 2 December 2005
Donald Fellows, Classics - 21 January 2012
Dr Brian Fletcher, Geology/Geography - 12 March 2018
John Gay, Botany - August 2012
John Glasby, Chemistry - 5 June 2011
Phillip Goddard, Agriculture and Horticulture - 2012
Eric Hall, Physics/Mathematics
James Haythornthwaite, Agriculture - 4 April 2011
Robert Hoh, Law - 24 December 2007
Peter Holland, Agriculture/Horticulture - August 2009
John Holmes, Slavonic Studies - 1987
John Housley, Chemistry - 14 April 2006
William Hudson, Agriculture/Horticulture - November 2020
Bill Hudson was born in North Norfolk into a farming family but wasn’t in a position to automatically go into farming. After leaving Gresham's School in Holt, he spent a short spell in the RAF before being accepted to study Agriculture at Sutton Bonington, part of Nottingham University. There he met his future wife, Jane Leach, who was reading for a National Diploma in Dairying (1949 – 1951). He went on to gain experience on a pig farm at Letton and married Jane in 1953. With the help of his uncle, he was able to purchase a small holding in Hevingham, Norfolk, a mixed livestock and arable enterprise, which became solely pigs. In 1974 he moved to a larger farm in North Walsham, Norfolk where he was able to farm arable land again along side the pigs. He retired to Cley, Norfolk in 1994 and enjoyed sailing, birdwatching, and playing Bridge. He spent much time researching the history of the Hudson family and farming, stretching back some two hundred years, and with the help of his grandson, Louis Hudson, and the rest of the family published a personal book for them all to enjoy. He was predeceased by Jane in 1998. He leaves a son, Anthony, and two daughters, Patricia and Alison, and seven grandsons. Obituary kindly supplied by William's daughter Patricia Hudson.
Arthur Hull, Grouped Subjects - 28 February 2008
Colin Hutchinson, Agriculture/Horticulture - 16 February 2018
Margaret Jackson, Mathematics - 23 October 2012
Peter Johnson, Mathematics - 12 July 2011
(Arthur) Neville Jones, Zoology/Botany - 30 December 2014
John Kirk, Chemistry/Mathematics - 1 February 2021
Kenneth Lane, History and Theology - 20 July 2011
Alan Law, Mining Engineering - 2006
Tryphosa Lee (née Dawes) Zoology - 10 November 2004
Joyce Lloyd (née Hawkes), Mycology - April 2009
John Loarridge OBE, History/English - 27 March 2020
For a full obituary please see the C.P.J.Field website.
Geoff Longlands, Civil Engineering
George Barrie Marson OBE, Physics
Ninian McInnes, Mining Engineering
Pran Nath Mehta, English / History / Law (Grouped Subjects) - 5 December 2019
Pran passed away peacefully at Joliette Hospital in his 91st year. He will be dearly missed by his wife Renate Beck Mehta, his children Kiran and Stephanie, his brothers Praful Nath, and Prem Nath, sister Devi Thapar, and his family, friends and community members . A respected teacher and elder, Pran Nath’s advice was frequently sought and highly valued. Born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and fluent in several languages, he was at home in many parts of the world over the course of his life—including Paris, Zofingen, Frankfurt, New Dehli, and since 1970, Rawdon, Quebec. Pran Nath was a Mason for 50 years with the Rawdon Centennial Lodge 135, and a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 198. He will be remembered as an avid student of history, a fine photographer, a dedicated practitioner of English, and most of all, a tireless raconteur. There will be a Celebration of Life for Pran Nath Mehta in the spring of 2020.Obituary kindly supplied by Pran's wife, Renate
Gordon Mingay, History - 3 January 2005
Byron Newton, Mathematics
Anthony James Moore, Maths - 9 June 2013
Keith Neill, Chemistry - 30 May 2010
John Pearson, Geography - 2 December 2008
Pauline Pocock, English
John Polkinghorn, Economics and Econometrics - 19 October 2017
Rita Elizabeth Portwood, History - 16 August 2022
Charles Eric Richardson, Physics (Grouped Subjects)
David Robinson OBE, Geography - 2017
Michael Robinson, Electrical Engineering - 12 January 2008
Donald Reap, Industrial Economics - 25 March 2013
Jean Milly Sawyerr (née Brown), Geography
Basil John Silver, Agriculture - 5 July 2018
Edwin Smith, Mathematics - 4 July 2010
Ernest Smith, Physics and Astronomy - 17 December 2011
Peter Thornhill, Mechanical Engineering - 16 May 2010
Clement Tagoe, Agriculture/Horticulture - 26 March 2013
Diana Upton (née Martin), Agriculture/Horticulture - 2023
Diana Upton became a Maths teacher and taught at Clifton High School for Girls. She taught those that were struggling with Maths, as her kind and approachable nature helped the girls get over their Maths phobia. She was missed by the girls she taught once she retired. She lived in Bristol much of her married life, with her husband who was an agriculturist. Obituary kindly supplied by Diana's son, Mark.
John Walsh, Civil Engineering - December 2014
Kenneth Ward, German/English - 9 October 2016
Kenneth Ward was born in Durham and was Head Boy at the Johnston Grammar School, before attending Nottingham University where he graduated from in 1952 having studied German and having spent some time in Heidelberg. During his university days, he played viola in the university orchestra and sang tenor in the choral society. It was here that he met Marion Ward (nee Walker) and they were married in Nottingham 1956 and were together for 60 years before his death in 2016. After graduating, he took up a teaching post in Nottingham, and was also fast tracked to become a licensed Lay Reader in the Church of England, a post which he continued to hold for over 50 years until ill health forced him to stop. He was then made Reader Emeritus by the Bishop of Ripon. In 1963 Ken moved to Leeds to take up a teaching post for RE and German and remained in the same school until retirement having moved up through the ranks to Head of School. He continued his musical and church activities throughout his time in Leeds and left a lasting legacy to numerous organisations he was involved with.Obituary kindly provided by Kenneth's daughter Caroline.
Marion Ward (née Walker), French/English - 1 August 2019
Marion Ward (nee Walker) was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Manning School in Nottingham at the age of 11 before being awarded another scholarship, to her home town university of Nottingham which she duly accepted and went up to read French and English. This was at a time in the late 40s when very few women were able to go to university and she remained proud of her achievement throughout her life. It was at university that she met the love of her life, Kenneth Ward, and they were married in St Leonard’s church, Wollaton, Nottingham, in 1956. They both held teaching posts in Nottingham until 1963 when they moved to Leeds. Marion remained a teacher of modern languages until her retirement. She was very involved in her local church and was a keen amateur singer, having nutured that love of choral singing whilst at University.Obituary kindly supplied by Marion's daughter Caroline.
Clive Woodcock, Grouped Subjects - 8 January 2018
Peter Woodhead, Mining Engineering - 14 March 2012
Brian Woods, Law - 22 September 2013
Dennis York, History and Psychology - 14 September 2011
1953
Pauline Alderman (née Vicary), Chemistry
Pauline Alderman (nee Vicary) was the first of her family to attend University and she did so against their wishes. Turning down a pre-arranged job and travelling to Nottingham was a life changing step for her. At University she pursued her natural scientific bent, and indulged her passion for choral singing, through which activity she met her future husband, Cedric, an engineering student. After graduating, Pauline worked as a crystallographer for ICI at their research laboratories in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. Career prospects at the time did not favour women and she did not receive full credit for much of the research she undertook, although her work was published under joint authorship in the journals Nature, Acta Crystallographica and the Journal of the Chemical Society. She left to take up teaching, a decision that facilitated a career break to bring up two sons, and which provided a convenient route back into employment, following the untimely death of her husband in a road accident. She retired from teaching early and moved close to the Suffolk coast where she developed a voluntary ‘career’ in the Girl Guiding movement, going on to become a qualified County trainer and subsequently chair of the Suffolk Trefoil Guild, along with running a merchandising depot for the local Guide Association for 27 years. Whilst she had moved on a long way from her chemistry degree, she never forgot the debt she owed Nottingham University for giving her the opportunity to study for a degree and to gain a freedom she had not previously experienced.Obituary kindly supplied by Pauline's son David.
Margaret Anderson (née Hay), Botany - 3 July 2017
John Ashley, Mechanical Engineering/Production Engineering
David G Barker, Grouped Subjects - 8 January 2014
Ross Barron, Civil Engineering - 21 December 2012
Dr James (Jim) Brown, Mining Engineering - August 2022
Jim was born in 1933 at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, therefore technically a true Cockney. His father, from Scotland, and his mother, from Leicestershire, lived in Ladbroke Grove, and were In the summer of 1939 staying with his grandparents at Husbands Bosworth in Leicestershire when war broke out and so he naturally stayed for a while. There he developed his love of gardening while looking after his Grandparents’ garden. On his return to London a chance meeting led to him getting a place at St Clement Danes Grammar School where he became deputy head boy. There he developed a love of chemistry and physics. The only exam he ever failed was French which, given his many holidays in France, a French daughter in law and his love of French food and wine seems rather odd in retrospect. He came to Nottingham University in 1950 to study Mining Engineering where he obtained a First-Class Honours degree, and then from 1953-1956 completed a PhD. After completing his PhD, he joined the National Coal Board as a management trainee and obtained his Mine Manager’s Certificate. On a visit to his old department at the University, he was offered the post of Lecturer and accepted. While undertaking his PhD he joined St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Nottingham serving on the Fellowship of Youth (FOY) as national mission secretary and held the post of church secretary for some thirty years. It was at the Church that he met Dorothy and they married there in December 1959 before setting up home in Gotham. In 1966, he took a 2 year sabbatical after securing a post with UNESCO to set up a Mining Department at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara to where the family moved. Over the next 40 years he travelled extensively, both on family holidays and for work. He visited over 50 countries on every continent (Antarctica excepted); particular highlights being South America, Borneo, the Maldives and New Zealand, where he practiced his interest in photography. His work at the University continued, and he was appointed Senior Lecturer in 1984. He specialised in mine ventilation, applied acoustics, and applied geophysical exploration and researched in most of the areas he taught. However, his chief focus was on teaching his students and he regarded this as the most important element of his job: not research for research purposes or to increase his academic paper count. Aged 57, he took early retirement but carried on with his lecturing for another 3 years. He became a director of Newtech Limited where he continued to design and make specialised equipment both for teaching purposes and also for industrial applications. He never claimed to be a musician, but he loved Gilbert and Sullivan, opera, and the ballet, going to Covent Garden on occasion. Seeing Aida performed at the Paris Opera House was particularly memorable. Obituary kindly supplied by Jim's wife, Dorothy, and classmate, Peter Hackett
June Chilton, Geography - 4 June 2013
Elizabeth Davison (née Evenden), English - December 2016
Laurence Draper, Physics - 17 June 2010
Angela Ede (née Horsman), French - 23 July 2016
John Elliott, Geography - August 2015
Norman Else, Mathematics - 6 April 2023
William Foster-Thornton, Agriculture/Horticulture
David Gale, Politics and Economics - 2012
Margaret Garlick, Social Administration - 11 March 2020
Dr Raymond (Ray) Grout, Pharmacy - 3 August 2017
For a full obituary please see theSchool of Pharmacy
David Hare, Law - 6 January 2009
Alan Hall, Grouped Subjects
Peter Hall, Medieval and Modern History - 8 September 2012
Mary Hallam (née Lyden), Geology - 21 April 2013
Adeline Hammond, Social Administration
Ian Harper, Spanish/Hispanic Studies - May 2011
Charles Guy Hawthorne, Agriculture - 23 November 2015
Jack Herbert, English - April 2021
Paul Ingram, Mathematics/Physics - 13 November 2019
Roger Jackson, Physics - 8 January 2009
William Jackson, Medieval & Modern History - 15 July 2007
Donald Jones, Physics – November 2021
Dr David Kerridge, Chemistry - January 2016
David completed his BSc in 1953, followed by a PhD in 1956 and a DSc in 1980. In his career he taught at the University of Ghana as well as a Professor at the University of Southampton in Organic Chemistry.Obituary information kindly supplied by David's wife, Patricia.
Richard Kitching, Law - 26 August 2013
Donald Lambley, Mathematics - 6 October 2010
Dr Philip Lawley, Chemistry - 18 December 2011
For a full obituary please seeThe Guardian
Peter Longhurst, Economic and Social History - 21 November 2009
John Russell Marsden, French - 1990
Margaret Patricia (Pat) Mays (née Lloyd), Mathematics with Statistics
Malcolm McDougall, Mining Engineering - 20 March 2019
William Millington, Mining Engineering - 1 October 2013
Harry Milton, Chemistry - 18 November 2010
Geoffrey Moreton, Electrical Engineering - 3 April 2015
David Moulam, Geography - 2 June 2009
Gerard Pink, Politics - 20 April 2006
Frederick Riddell, Politics - 8 September 2011
John Roddan, Agriculture - 30 October 2020
James (Jim) Saunders, Geography - 5 May 2020
James William Saunders died peacefully on 5th May 2020. Loving father to Denis, Margaret, Elizabeth and Fiona, grand-father, great grand-father, teacher, educationalist and raconteur. Proud Irishman who loved living in England, rugby, guinness and tea. Funeral to be held at Amersham Crematorium on 19th May 2020. Strictly family only during the current measures. No flowers please but donations toOpen University OU scholarshipsorMourne Heritage Trust, please reference Jim Saunders. There will be a thanksgiving service in Rostrevor when travel is easier.Obituary kindly supplied by Denis Saunders
Sultan Azlan Shah, Law - 28th May 2014
Dr John Sheldon, Chemistry
Doreen Shotton (née Grunwell), Mathematics - 14 September 2016
Doreen Shotton, former Mathematics student at the University of Nottingham, passed away on 14th September 2016, at a hospice close to her home in Runcorn, Cheshire. Doreen was 85 years young, and a had a full and varied life; she often spoke about her time at Nottingham, where she became known as the ‘girl in the green dress’ - funny how our University experiences follow us around in life? She is hoping that one of her grandchildren will follow her footsteps to the east Midlands. Doreen developed cervical cancer, which eventually got the better of her after a short illness. She leaves four children, 12 grandchildren and a host of fond memories.Obituary kindly supplied by Doreen's son, Mark.
Ella Skene (née Basker), Agriculture/Horticulture - January 2013
Ann Smith (née Rowlands), Theology - 30 August 2018
David Sneesby, Industrial Economics - 24 April 2013
Robert Spiller, Physics
Kenneth Sumner, Electrical Engineering - November 2010
Alastair Taylor, Agriculture/Horticulture
Dr John Thynne CB, Chemistry - 23 October 2018
John Towle, Mechanical Engineering - 2 August 2011
Edith Audrey Turner (née Williams), Mathematics - 4 February 2015
Audrey Turner, aged 82 years, passed away suddenly at her home in West Malvern on 4thFebruary 2015. She is survived by her three children: Alison, Lindsay, and Meddon, and by her five grandchildren. Born in Tredegar, South Wales, she was brought up in Leicester. She began her study for a degree in Mathematics at Nottingham University at the age of 17 years - young for the time. In 1953, Audrey was the only one of her cohort at that University to receive a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics. After completing her teaching diploma a year later, she taught Mathematics in a variety of schools and became a Lecturer at Worcester Training College. She maintained her keen interest in teaching through tutoring whilst her children were young. The family moved to West Yorkshire when her husband, Ellis, gained the Headship of Normanton Grammar School. Audrey then worked as a Teacher of Mathematics and Further Mathematics at Wakefield Girls’ High School from 1975-1986 where she also fulfilled the role of a sixth form mistress. During her time at the school she acted as an adviser to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge with regard to their Common Entrance Examination papers, in particular Mathematics. In 1985, following the retirement of her husband, the couple moved to West Malvern where they quickly became involved in the local community. Both became members of St James’ Church West Malvern, where for a time Audrey worked as Treasurer for the Friends of the Parish Church. They developed a keen interest in bowls and bridge at which they were very proficient. Audrey worked part-time at the local St James’ and the Abbey Girls’ School until her retirement. Following the death of her husband in July 1995, after 38 years or marriage, Audrey organised and ran extensive bridge groups at her house through the University of the Third Age. This brought her much pleasure and purpose in later life. Always wanting to keep her mind active and challenged, Audrey was never to be found far away from a crossword or puzzle book of some description. Her other enjoyments included reading books (especially crime novels), visiting the theatre and watching detective programmes. During her close companionship with Dr Roger Morgan until his death in 2004, she became adept at tapestry work and researched her family tree back to 1746. Whatever Audrey put her hand to she did with excellence and dedication and these were the hallmarks of her well-lived life. She was devoted to her family and proud of all their achievements, as they were of her. To all who knew her, Audrey was interesting, clever, resourceful, selfless, reliable and caring. The legacy and the memories she leaves behind will all be greatly treasured. She will be sorely missed.Obituary supplied by her children Dr Alison Irvine, Dr Lindsay Turner and Mr Meddon Turner, all of whom bear ‘Williams’ as their middle name.
Robert Truswell, Civil Engineering
Marion Uglow, German/Slavonic Studies - 12 April 2024
Edward (Ted) Ward, Chemistry - 12 October 2011
Dr Brian Wilson, Grouped Subjects - 31 October 2019
Dr David Gordon Wilson, Mechanical Engineering - 2 May 2019
For a full obituary please seeMIT News
Robert Wroughton, Pharmacy - 17 January 2011
1954
Francis "Frank" Barcroft, Chemistry - 29 July 2018
Gordon Bowley, Law - 31 December 2017
Gordon was always very proud of being among the first law undergraduates at Nottingham and was very grateful for the opportunities it gave him. He was the first of his family to attend university and I was delighted to follow him there, if only for the one year PGCE! He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret, their son, John, and grandchildren, Rebecca and Daniel.Obituary kindly supplied by Gordon's son, John.
Mary Bridgewater (née Kemp), English - 16 February 2020
Sheila Brown (née Baird-Parker), Pharmacy - February 2017
Vernon Brown, Pharmacy - 2017
Sheila Cooper (née Walker), Law - 1960
Peter Crampton, Geography - 12 July 2011
Brian Cresswell, Mathematics - 20 December 2020
Jirair Danielian, Mining Engineering - 31 October 2008
Geoffrey Dove, Physics - 8 January 2021
Oliver Dearden OBE, Civil Engineering - 3 December 2023
For a full obituary please seeBBC Bristol News
Dr Norman Elmore, Chemistry
James Exley, Geology - 12 June 2017
James (Michael) Fort, Agriculture/Horticulture - 21 June 2020
Harry (Tony) Field, Geology/Geography - 30 October 2018
John Gregory, Mathematics - February 2013
Peter Godwin-Wolf, French/Spanish - 27 March 2010
Doreen Gordon (née Collis), Social Studies - 2016
Charles Guy Hawthorne, Agriculture - 23 November 2015
Guy was born on 30 October 1931, at Arnold, Nottingham. The family moved to Cropwell Butler shortly afterwards where some of the family remains today. He was educated at Ashby Grammar School. In 1954, Guy achieved a degree in agriculture at Nottingham University School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonnington. While at university he became farm manager for Major Spalding of Flawborough Hall, daily commuting to the University. Following Major Spalding's death in 1955, Guy inherited the farm. The same year he married Ann Hayday from East Bridgford. They had three children, John, William and Sarah. Over the following years the family flourished and the farm prospered. Tragically, in September, 1969, Ann was involved in a motor accident. She was in a coma for many weeks and needed full-time care at home for the rest of her life. She died in 1982. During the years from 1955, the farm was modernised and developed. Guy was a well-respected and progressive farmer. He not only managed his own farm, but was employed by other landowners to develop farms both locally and further away. He was known for being meticulous in detail, enterprising and eager to use improved underdrainage, modern techniques and equipment. In the early 1980s, Guy’s brother Roger joined him in a successful intensive pig breeding and rearing project. When he was 37, Guy became a member and subsequently chairman of Newark Internal Drainage Board. In 1968 he was appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to Trent River Authority to represent Land Drainage interests. Eventually he joined the new Severn Trent Water Authority and following the inception of the National Rivers Authority in 1989 he became chairman of the National Rivers Authority Flood Defence Committee Severn Trent Region. In the summer of 1989 he suffered a serious illness and underwent amputation of his left leg which caused him constant discomfort for the rest of his life. Despite this he remained dedicated to all his commitments and was hugely respected by all his colleagues. He had a thorough knowledge of flood defence and land drainage. During his time in office he was involved in the promotion of major urban protection schemes resulting in many thousands of properties being protected from flooding. When privatisation of the water industry was being planned he successfully opposed the inclusion of land drainage and flood defence. Guy was an enthusiastic supporter of the water industry’s charity Wateraid which is dedicated to providing clean water in Africa and other countries and in 1987, with his wife Mary, visited a Wateraid project in Ghana. Guy was churchwarden and treasurer for Flawborough Church for thirty-five years. He was efficient and scrupulous in all aspects of maintenance and financial matters. Due to chronic settlement problems resulting in extensive and regular fractures in the church fabric, many thousands of pounds had to be found and he proved to be an excellent fundraiser. Guy will be missed by colleagues in the water industry where he was much respected for his knowledge and commitment. Friends and family will remember and miss a kind man always interested in what others had to say with a great sense of humour. A much loved husband, father and ‘Grandpa’ he leaves his wife, three children and six grandchildren.Obituary kindly supplied by Guy's wife, Mary.
David Hills, Economics - 3 December 2009
YM Tengku Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ahmad Rithauddeen "Deen" Bin Tengku Ismail, Law - 29 April 2022
For a full obituary please seehere
John Izbicki, German/Philosophy - 9 December 2021
An obituary written by Janet Weston and published in the AJR Journal is available here.
Sheila Joel (née Benson), Mathematics
John M Jowett, Civil Engineering - 12 January 2017
John Jowett passed away peacefully 12 January 2017, aged 83, at Chevington House, Bourne. John studied at the University of Nottingham from 1951-1954 and graduated in Civil Engineering with the qualifications C.Eng, BSc (Hons), later becoming a F.I.C.E and F.I.H.E. Following his graduation and a brief spell in the UK, he spent the next 30+ years working abroad as a resident civil engineer. The majority of those years were in West Africa. Semi retiring in New Zealand, he then returned to the UK in 2005. Much loved husband of Joyce, father of Karen, Joanne and Jeremy and grandfather to Liam, Jack, Erik, Ashleigh, Lily and Hooper. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered for his sense of humour and generosity, by all his family, friends and those that knew him.Obituary kindly supplied by John's son, Jeremy.
Noel King, Theology - 1 February 2009
David Knights, Chemistry and Physics
David Lee, Physics - 31 December 2018
John Lister, Physics/Mathematics - February 2009
Douglas Lochhead, French and History - 14 February 2019
David Corbet Lovibond, French - 13 March 2013
Mary Eunice Lovibond (née Ranson), Pharmacy - April 2019
Arthur Loughton, Agriculture/Horticulture
Peter Martin, Physics - January 2016
Dr Henry McCallion, Mechanical Engineering
Ann Melly, Social Administration - 30 December 2010
Anna Hepburn Merz, Politics/Law - 4 April 2013
Beryl Miller (née Brickman), Social Administration
Dr Geoffrey Morris, History - 13 May 2017
Vivian John Montague, Agriculture/Horticulture - 23 December 2017
John Montague met Prince Charles in 2017, and was the longest serving member of the Soil Association, of which Prince Charles is a patron.Obituary kindly supplied by the Montague family.
Martin Naunton, Chemistry - 13 July 2011
Dr Michael Newmann, Physics - 11 January 2020
Michael Milne Newmann was born in Yorkshire in 1931. His father, Reginald Neumann, was manager of Stanton and Staveley coke ovens, and this necessitated the family’s move to Stanton-by-Dale in Derbyshire. At the age of six, Michael had a fall which resulted in his being admitted to hospital with Perthes Disease, and many of his formative and early teenage years were sporadically spent in hospital. It is a great tribute to the hospital tutors that he excelled above children in the normal school system, and when his Maths tutor left, Michael continued with the lessons on his own. When he was eighteen, his schooling, especially in Maths, earned him a place as an undergraduate in the University of Nottingham. He made some lasting friends, graduated with a BSc in 1954 and completed a PhD in 1958. After a short period working for the War Ministry in London, he came to Northern Ireland to lecture at Queen’s University, Belfast, and remained in the Department of Engineering Maths – where he became a Reader – up to the time of his retirement. One of his specialisations was Control Theory. Many of his academic papers were co-written with research students, whom he always acknowledged. It was gratifying to hear one of those research students, who is now a Professor of Control Theory at an English University, say that another five of Michael’s research students were now in Professorships, and that he was a powerhouse of ideas – and great fun. He kept in touch with his Nottingham University friends, and their children, as he did with his colleagues at Queen’s University. He died in Lisburn Care Home on 11th January, 2020, and the chapel at Roselawn Cemetery was filled to capacity with people he had known throughout his life – neighbours, colleagues, Darts Club, Swimming Club, Table-tennis Club, and his drinking acquaintances from the Common Room. Michael’s only brother, Barry, died in a plane crash in 1971, and it was very touching that Michael’s two nephews and niece were prepared to travel from Australia to attend his funeral. The coffin was carried by friends to the strains of the pipes of Reverend Angus Adamson, who also gave the address. Dr. Ferdinand Jonsson read two poems in Icelandic with their translations, and Michael’s daughter, Kate, spoke with affection about the minus and plus of being his only child.Obituary kindly supplied by Michael’s daughter, Kate
Richard Nisbet, Civil Engineering - 11 March 2010
Geoffrey Nobbs, English - March 2016
Audrey O'Leary, French
Desmond O'Leary, Spanish/Hispanic Studies
Victor Paling (Rod), Geology - 15 August 2023
John Perkins, Chemistry - 4 November 2023
Geoffrey Pugh, Botany - February 2006
Margaret Richards (née Case), English - 24 May 2015
David Reddish, Mining Engineering - 25 February 2011
Gywn Rose, Industrial Economics - 17 September 2018
Christine Sansom(née Williams), Physics/Mathematics - 13 November 2013
Mary Sheldon;(née Preston), Chemistry
Robert Sparrow, Civil Engineering - 23 June 2008
Allan Straw, Geography - 26 June 2024
Further details available via University of Exeter
Beryl Straw (née Goodwin), Politics - 7 September 2010
Charles Sutton, Agriculture - 21 January 2011
John Underwood, Physics - 16 February 2016
Albert Taylor, Electrical Engineering
William Gordon Keith Taylor, Chemistry - May 2013
Victor Tunkel, Law
John Turner, Mathematics
Mary Ward (née Turner), Social Administration - 2015
Brian Whittingham, Slavonic Studies - 11 August 2009
Victor Willins, Economics
David Wright, Civil Engineering - February 2016
1955
Richard Allsopp, Mathematics – 8 November 2021
Celia Archer (née Mortimer), Economic and Social History - 20 January 2010
David Baxter, Chemistry - 15 December 2023
Patricia Bennett, Geography
Joan Bethell (née Austin), Chemistry - 17 March 2010
Vera Bottomley (née Wall), French and German - August 2021
Vera spent her entire career teaching French to primary and secondary school children as well as to adults. She also had three children, one of whom (Alison) went to Nottingham to read German and French! In recognition of Vera’s contributions to French language and culture she was appointed Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Acadèmiques by the French Government in 2007. Both before and during retirement in 1992 Vera was actively involved with the University of Reading Women’s Club (her husband Trevor Bottomley (French and English 1951-55) was Registrar of the University), especially the Newcomers Club section, which provided friendship and contacts as well as some English tuition for the wives and partners of overseas students, mainly postgraduate. When she handed this over to a younger person the Women’s Club appointed her their Vice President – a post she held until her death. Obituary kindly supplied by Vera's husband, Trevor Bottomley.
Anthony Bowers, Law
Sally Bullock (née Richards), Dairying - 11 April 2010
Roger Burton, French/Spanish - 30 July 2018
Donald Casson, Chemistry - 7 March 2016
David Conkie, French
David Dalton, Mining Engineering - 14 April 2008
Arah Danielian, Physics - 19 January 2013
David Daniels, Chemistry
Michael Davis, Psychology – November 2021
David Driver, Social Administration
Dennis Drysdale, French - July 2010
Geoff Dye, Mechanical Engineering - 26 September 2022
Norman Eatough, Economics - 31 August 2010
George Farrimond, Civil Engineering - 27 July 2010
Chris Garnett, Chemistry - 13 May 2014
Maureen Gilmour, Pharmacy - 5 March 2017
Clive Granger, Mathematics - 27 May 2009
David Green, Chemistry - 12 July 2008
Kenneth Gregory, Law - 10 September 2010
Peter Griffiths, Physics
William Hammond, Mining Engineering - 14 November 2008
Derek Hanson, Chemistry - 21 March 2018
After graduating from Nottingham (where he met my Mother, Pamela Hanson, French, 1954) he went on to study engineering at the University of Cambridge. After graduating from the University of Cambridge as a chemical engineer, Derek joined ICI on Teesside. He worked there for 14 years in research, production management, and design engineering. Derek subsequently joined what was then John Brown PLC, and spent 26 years in engineering design and construction of plants for the chemical, pharmaceutical and pulp and paper industries. Most of that time was in the role of Chief Executive of various businesses within John Brown. Being a Nottingham graduate myself, we attended a Nottingham event at the Houses of Parliament together last May.Obituary kindly supplied by Derek's daughter, Adèle Hanson (French, 1987)
Dr Anne Hare (née Seabrooke), Chemistry
Godfrey Hare, Geography - 31 March 2010
Donald Harrison, Civil Engineering - October 2013
John (Barrie) Heath, Law - March 2013
Graville Hutchinson, Mathematics - July 2007
Dr Brian Hutton, History - 4 October 2023
Brian was from Barrow-in-Furness, and went to Nottingham 1952 where he met Mum (Serena Quartermaine May, History 1954-57). After National Service in the Navy, at Joint Services School for Languages and listening to Russian warships in the Baltic, he went to UC London for the Diploma in Archive Administration (and the Churchill-Jenkinson prize). Serena and Brian married in 1958 and shortly after he went to work at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in Belfast. The family moved to Edinburgh in 1974, and Brian worked at the National Library of Scotland, becoming Secretary and Deputy Keeper. He took early retirement in 1988, and Serena and Brian moved to S Oxfordshire. He busied himself with CPRE and parish matters, and then did a law degree at Oxford Brookes, followed by a PhD at Brunel. Brian Gerald Hutton, 01/11/33-04/10/23. Survived by Serena, and daughter Katherine, son Patrick, and five grandsons.Obituary kindly supplied by Brian's son, Patrick
Dr Barrie Machin, Agriculture/Horticulture - 22 January 2016
Dr Kenneth G Mason, Chemistry
John Stuart Morley Hutchinson, Zoology - 5 August 2010
Morley was Hons Zoology, 1955, one year before myself. He was a popular figure in Hugh Stuart and around the University and also during the 2 years he spent at Sutton Bonington before he moved with his PhD. supervisor, Dr Hamish Robertson, to Aberdeen.Obituary kindly supplied by friend of John, Dr Peter J. O'Connor.
Anne De Courcy Ireland (née Fontaine), Sociology - 14 January 2017
Lionel Lambourne, English and Philosophy - 12 February 2010
John Laws, Agriculture/Horticulture - 19 January 2011
Rev. Jim Leverton, Classics - February 2014
Malcolm Liddle, Geography - July 2007
WalterJames, English - 25 December 2010
Nigel Hill Margerison, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - May 2013
Maureen Modlen (née Griffin), Economic and Social History - 16 June 2012
Dr Grenville Norton, Agriculture/Chemistry - 14 March 2024
Dr Norton, known to everyone as ‘Gren’, completed both a BSc in Agricultural Chemistry (1955) and PhD (1958) at Sutton Bonnington School of Agriculture. Assuming the post of Assistant Lecturer in Plant Biochemistry shortly after, he travelled as a research fellow and visiting Professor to the California Institute of Technology and Cornell University, bringing back his research to Nottingham. His passion and knowledge into the use of plant materials in food and feed was respected worldwide with support for further research from MAFF, Schering Agriculture, the Perry Foundation and the Homegrown Cereals Authority. In 1961 he married Sutton Bonington student Pat Womersley with whom he had 3 children. In 1971 he became Senior Lecturer and remained in this post until retiring in 1997. Gren was a highly regarded colleague and mentor, co-authoring multiple publications at home and abroad including papers for the Royal Society of Chemistry, the British Journal of Nutrition, the Journal of Science and Food Agriculture, as well as papers conferences and congresses all over the world. Obituary kindly supplied by daughter, Ginny Winder.
Councillor John Pantall, Chemistry
David Paisley, Electrical Engineering - 9 February 2017
Professor Peter Perkins, Chemistry - 25 November 2022
Peter began his long association with Nottingham as a lowly lab. assistant in the Botany department in 1948. With his customary hard work, he progressed to attaining a First Class Honours degree in Chemistry, followed by a PhD in 1958 under the guidance of Professor Norman Greenwood. Peter was a keen rock climber and was president of the University Climbing Club during his student days. In 1968, he was awarded the University's first D.Sc. in Chemistry. He maintained a great affection for Nottingham University throughout his life. Peter ended his academic career as Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde. Obituary kindly supplied by Peter's wife, Kay Perkins.
John Quinton, Physics - 11 October 2016
Charles Reeves, Mathematics
Ronald Rivers, German/French - 5 January 2021
Ron was the only child in his family to attend University and greatly valued his time at Nottingham, maintaining a lifelong interest in the University and City. Following his graduation with a BA in German and French, Ron taught for two years before he felt called to become a minister in the Baptist church. After attending theological college he led churches in Kent, Devon and finally Suffolk. In 1962 he married Sheila and they went on to have three children, eight grandchildren, and had recently became great grand-parents. Ron’s interest and skills in languages did not end with gaining his degree. He taught himself a number of languages including Biblical Greek, Arabic and Italian. As a fluent German speaker, he was a valued member of his town twinning organisation which paired Felixstowe with Wesel and Salzwesel, where he and Sheila made several reciprocated visits. Ron passed away following a fall at home. He was much loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.Obituary kindly supplied by Ronald's Daughter Alison Killen.
C. Alan Soons, Education - 29 December 2011
David Robert Spray, Industrial Economics
Reverend Clive Tougher, Theology - 28 November 2019
Dr Alastair Strang, Mechanical Engineering - 4 July 2016
William Taylor, Agriculture/Horticulture
Brian Trueman, History - 2013
Edwin Truman, Law - 4 March 2013
Michael Wall, Agriculture - 2020
Marian Wallace (née Pringle), French - 9 February 2016
James "Jim" Waterworth MBE, Horticulture - May 2018
Brian Winterbottom, Civil Engineering - November 2013
Dr Ian Worrall, Chemistry - 2014
Dr Jean Worrall (née Driver), Chemistry - 2021
1956
Professor Gary Acres OBE, Chemistry - 26 March 2019
The eminent fuel cell and catalyst researcher, Gary Acres, attended Burton Grammar School 1946-53 and was captain of Drake House. He read Chemistry at Nottingham University, getting his BSc in 1956 before working on isotope research at AERE Harwell. He then returned to Nottingham and got his MSc in 1961, and PhD in 1963. He joined the newly formed catalyst research group of Johnson Matthey in 1963, becoming Director responsible for research and development operations from 1974 to 1985, and then Director, Corporate Development until 1994 when he retired from full time employment. Since then he has held a number of advisory roles and was currently a Consultant to Johnson Matthey on fuel cell and related activities. He was Chairman of the Grove Fuel Cell Symposium and the first Chairman of the European Fuel Cell Group. Since 2000, he has been a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor on Sustainable Development at the University of Birmingham. His awards include the Queen's Award for Technology and the MacRobert Award for the development of automobile emission control catalyst systems. Gary’s widow, Ann, writes: Gary never really retired and just kept working on his main interest at the time, Fuel Cells, until dementia slowed him down. He enjoyed sports, particularly rugger, cricket and tennis and we both enjoyed boating on the Thames when we moved to the Thames Valley. He was secretary of the local River Thames Society for 20 years, taking part in campaigns to protect the river. Gary’s other main interest was our two holiday homes in Somerset that I inherited, and he enjoyed spending time there, gardening, painting and decorating them, rather than sitting on a beach abroad which he found boring. Until he was 70 he enjoyed excellent health and energy and lived life to the full. Only at the end did he slow down. Our children, Jonathan and Caroline, living in Abingdon and Southampton respectively, neither married at present. Jonathan, an engineer, has followed Gary’s example of being a workaholic although as a teenager he declared he would never be like his father.Obituary kindly supplied by Bill Wain and Ann Acres (Social Administration, 1956)
Peggie Andrews, History
John Basten, Geography - 5 April 2020
Ivy Jean Blanch (née King), Social Administration - 2022
Cathleen Bromwich (née Hardisty), Chemistry/School of Education - 18 September 2022
Lesley Bywater (née Bull), Zoology/Botany - August 2021
Kenneth Cazabon, Mechanical Engineering - 8 January 2006
Kenneth Chambers, Theology - 3 January 2022
Jim Chapman, Geography - 1 January 2009
The Reverend Brian Coombes, Geography
Colin Cresswell, Botany - 6 December 2011
Vernon Dalkin, Physics - 24 July 2023
John Davidson, Agriculture/Horticulture - 2012
Alyn Davies, Chemistry - 17 January 2012
Robert Domleo, Agriculture/Horticulture - December 2022
Eric Dove, Russian
Heinrich Fessler, Mechanical Engineering - 22 June 2011
Gwenda Flude (née Davies), Social Administration
Neil Field, Geography - January 2007
Dennis Fox, Zoology - 2019
Brenda Griffiths (née Tweed), Theology - 1 December 2021
Robin Hannant, Civil Engineering - February 2022
Derek Hedge, Chemistry - 29 July 2011
Peter Henderson, Psychology
Clifford (Bryan) Hobson, Classics - 6 February 2022
Francis Hughes, Theology - October 2008
Dr Michael Jaycock, Chemistry - 27 February 2017
John Johnson, Physics - 13 June 2009
Helen Jones (née Lord), French - 17 October 2017
Geoffrey Kirk, Electrical Engineering - 3 July 2018
Muriel Laptain (née Parsonage), Dairying - 23 April 2019
Reginald Littlefair, Geology - May 2010
Dr Norman Logan DSc, Chemistry - 3 August 2018
Dr Edward Markham, Chemistry - January 2014
James Mack, Physics - 1960s
Gilbert Manley, Zoology - 3 May 2008
Graham Merlane, Mathematics
Donald McKay, Civil Engineering - 24 August 2011
Dr Allan Mills, Chemistry - 2017
Peter Morris, Botany - 13 April 2015
Dr Roger Morton, Geology - 9 February 2019
The death occurred on 9th February, 2019 of Roger David Morton, aged 83 years. Roger was a native of Nottingham and attended the Bluecoat School, before being offered a place in 1952 by the Department of Geology at the University of Nottingham, aged only 16. Roger excelled, and graduated in 1956 with a First Class Honours degree in Geology. He then proceeded to do a PhD thesis on the geology of the Teign Valley in Devon which culminated, in 1959, with the award of his doctorate. Leaving Nottingham, Roger gained experience as a Post Doctoral Fellow at the Geological/Mineralogical Museum in Oslo, Norway where he stayed for two years before being appointed as a lecturer in geology at Nottingham University. Eventually, in 1967, Roger took his family to Canada to take up a position as Professor of Economic Geology and Mineralogy at the University of Alberta. Roger specialized in, and studied, ore deposits in the course of which he visited very many countries throughout the world. His experience resulted in him participating in International Aid projects through the Canadian International Development Agency and the Canadian Executive Service Overseas. He acted as a Visiting Professor at the University of Hamburg and the University of Nancy. Gems and jewels were to figure among his many interests and he was a certified gemologist and was at one time President of Polar Star Diamonds Ltd and President of Diamori Ltd (specializing in fine jewels). Although Roger retired in 1995 (becoming Professor Emeritus) his commitment to travel and mineralogical studies never wavered.Obituary kindly supplied by Brian Playle (Geology, 1958; 1960), with information from the Edmonton Journal and the University of Alberta
Dr Peter Mounfield, Geography
John Osbourne, Civil Engineering
Dennis Parkinson, Botany
Beryl Paterson (née Fletcher), English - November 2017
Reverend Gillian Pocock (née Woodward), Geography - 8 September 2019
Clive Priestley, History - 24 January 2012
Prof Gerald Randell, Psychology - December 2015
Jacqueline Adolphine Zelie Redding (née Dumont), French - 11 June 2023
Maurice Robbins, Physics - 14 December 2015
Ronald John Roberts, Civil Engineering - 2017
Maureen Ryan, English
Dr Robert Peter Saundby, Medicine - November 2020
Former Royal Air Force medical officer and consultant in Public Health Medicine (born May 1932, died November 2020). Always known as Peter, whilst a medical student (qualified Bristol 1956) he learnt to fly with the Bristol University Air Squadron developing a lifelong interest in aviation medicine. Joining the regular RAF, he served as an isolated medical officer on St Kilda and later at the nuclear test site on Christmas Island before completing flying training and gaining RAF wings in 1960. With pilot training, operational deployments and aircraft development, a series of postings mixed medicine with flying operational and training jet aircraft. Staff college and a mid-career MMedSci from Nottingham led to senior rank, command of a hospital and public health. Peter was appointed Honorary Physician to the Queen and retired with the rank of Air Commodore after five years in the Ministry of Defence as Deputy Surgeon General. He moved to Wales to continue working in Public Health where his registrars benefitted from military training concepts. He also continued as an examiner for the Faculty. Flying sailplanes, he represented the RAF in national contests and for over fifty years advised the British Gliding Association on aeromedical matters. He was a Full Cat instructor and tug pilot and had held the UK two-seat sailplane altitude and gain of height records, with a climb to over 19,000ft (gain of 17,750ft) in a Blanik in June 1964. Following a second retirement he represented Europe Air Sports with EU rule making bodies. In recognition he was made a Companion of Honour by both the Royal Aero Club and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. After two years with extensive body paralysis Peter died peacefully at home. He is survived by his wife Edith (qualified Bristol 1955), two children and five grandchildren. Obituary kindly supplied by Peter's daughter Diana Foglizzo.
Donald (Don) Scollick, Pharmacy - 1 January 2024
Anthony Semper, Geography - 7 February 2016
Keith Shaw, Chemistry - 22 December 2021
Donald Sheath, Mechanical Engineering
Harold Shukman, Slavonic Studies with Philosophy - 11 July 2012
Having studied Russian at the Joint Services School for Linguists during his period of National Service, Harry was encouraged to apply for a degree course at Nottingham by the new head of the Department of Slavonic Languages, Dr John Fennell in 1953.This was to prove the beginning of a distinguished academic career in the fields of Russian history, politics and culture. From Nottingham, Harry moved to St Antony’s College, Oxford, where he obtained his DPhil in 1960, and which remained his academic base until his retirement in 1998. In addition to several important edited and co-authored works, Harry wrote well-known books on Lenin and the Russian Revolution (1967) and Stalin (1999). But perhaps most widely-known is his co-authored Secret-Classrooms: An Untold Story of the Cold War (2006), telling of the scene where Michael Frayn, Alan Bennett and many Russian scholars of their generation acquired their skills as military translators and interpreters of Russian before moving into other areas. A superb linguist, inspiring teacher, prolific writer and translator, and a person capable of great generosity, Harry always cherished his Nottingham roots and kept in touch with successive generations of colleagues here, serving as external examiner in Russian for an unprecedented 6 years in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He regarded his studies at Nottingham as ‘three of the best years of my life’ and fondly remembered the ‘delightfully rural’ location of the Slavonic Department in ‘The Orchards’ in his day. As a student, he contributed three articles to the student newspaper Gongster about an NUS trip to the USSR in April 1954 at the invitation of the Anti-Fascist Committee for Soviet Youth. This trip saw an unfortunate episode involving the leading Soviet writers Akhmatova and Zoshchenko at the Leningrad Union of Writers, which became part of Anglo-Soviet cultural lore. Four pages of warm recollections written in more recent years include memories of Russian plays put on in the ‘new Music School’ in Lenton Grove, and student life ‘on the lower corridor of the Trent Building where games of bridge were in constant session.’Harry will be greatly missed, both as a scholar and as a friend. He leaves behind his wife Barbara, three children of an earlier marriage, and three stepchildren. Obituary supplied byMalcolm V. Jones(Emeritus Professor of Russian and Slavonic Studies and former President of Convocation)
Mark Stacey, Spanish/Hispanic Studies - 2017
George Sutton, Economic and Social History - 2012
James Turnbull, Education - 23 Oct 2016
James Turnbull died on 23rd October in Stuttgart, where he had worked for many years. Jim was a notable cricketer for the University and, although batting was his speciality, he clean bowled Reg Simpson (the Notts CC and England opening batsman) in a charity match at Wollaton. Joy for Jim, but the spectators were not best pleased; we were all there to see Reg hammer a quick 50 runs before giving up his wicket - the tradition then in charity matches.Obituary kindly supplied by friend of James, Ream Plant.
Malcolm Warwick, Russian and Slavonic Studies - 29 January 2010
Peter Whitehead, Law - January 2013
William Whittington, Agriculture/Botany
Jeffrey Wyatt, Mining Engineering - May 2010
1957
Karl Abraham, English - 13 November 2006
My father, Karl Edwin Abraham, passed away 13 November 2006. I recall that he was, at that time, the oldest alumnus from Mauritius. He married my mother, who is also Mauritian, in the UK in 1956 just after his studies at Nottingham where he had done a BA Honours in English. He became an English teacher in Nigeria - where my eldest sister was born - before coming back to Mauritius where he was successively an English teacher and a trainer at the teacher's training college before becoming an Education Officer at the Ministry of Education in Mauritius. He then decided to change career to become a diplomat. He studied diplomacy at LSE, and was appointed First Secretary at the Mauritian High Commission in London. When Mauritius gained independence on 12 March 1968, he read the lesson at Westminster Abbey for the ceremony organised for the occasion. After his posting in London he was sent to the Mauritian High Commission in New Delhi for a couple of years, before spending about a year in New York at the United Nations. We came back to Mauritius in 1973, and in 1976 he took 2-years' leave without pay to study Law and was called at the bar at middle temple to become a barrister. He returned to his employment at the Ministry of Foreign affairs for about a year before taking an early retirement at the age of 50 to start a new career as lawyer. He joined a new political party in 1980 and took part in the general elections in Mauritius of 1982 but was not elected. He then became a district court magistrate at 55 for about 10 years before going back to the bar. In the meantime he bought a language lab and started offering lessons in English pronunciation. He retired at the age of 75 and died about a year after of pancreatic cancer, luckily for him this lasted only 15 days. To end on a more positive note, I must say that during his studies at Nottingham University he used to sing in pubs to get some pocket money. He enjoyed performing in amateur operas, concerts and musical shows, and playing in theatres in Mauritius. He also formed part of a choir which used to sing Christmas Carols and perform in concerts.Obituary kindly supplied by Karl's son, Bertrand
Dennis Atherton, Chemistry/Geology - 2012
Walter Beasley, Theology - 1 June 2012
Maurice Beckett, Agriculture/Horticulture - 1 May 2021
John Beswick, School of Biology - 26 December 2016
Alan Bird, Economics & Agricultural Economics
Patricia Bond (née Greenhough), Mathematics - 24 February 2016
Keith Horace Bonser, Russian & Slavonic Studies - 3 January 2015
Derek Black, Mathematics - 13 December 2017
John (Trevor) Bradley, Law - 9 March 2012
David Brunt, Civil Engineering - May 2018
Paul Bryan, Geography - April 2020
Edna Cahill (née Harwood), Social Administration - 16 December 2022
After graduating Edna worked in Child Care in Devon, then Portsmouth. Subsequently moving to London, she became a training officer with the Borough of Lambeth, moving on to the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham becoming Principle Officer of Children's Homes there. After taking early retirement in the mid 'Eighties, she moved with my Father to the Isle of Wight in 1986. While periodically helping the local authority with some locum Child Placement work, she decided to train (and qualify) as a Homeopath, practicing for a time. She also had an interest in Yoga, so predictably qualified in that as well, becoming a teacher. While that would have been (more than) enough for most people, she also did a training course in massage, again qualifying and practicing until her hands gave out. She died at 91, with all her marbles, although physically getting frailer. She was doing 17 Physio exercises every day until the end. Obituary kindly supplied by Edna's son Con Cahill
Lionel Cliffe, Economics - November 2013
Malcolm Cornwall, Physics - 1 February 2021
Dr Alan Daglish, Chemistry
Harry Daniels, Geography - 18 April 2018
Richard Davy, Geology - 8 September 2021
Barry Driscoll, Industrial Economics - 24 May 2012
Janet Dinah Dudley, Economics/social history - 2023
David Edwards, Law - December 2006
Martin Entwistle, Chemistry - April 2007
Howard Erskine-Hill, English Studies and Philosophy - 26 February 2014
Robert Fleetwood, English - 5 March 2017
Margaret Green (néeMcGough), Zoology - 2009
Alan Greenwell, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - 9 September 2010
Dr Peter Hackett OBE, PhD Rock Mechanics - 24 September 2024
Dr. Peter Hackett, OBE, a respected figure in the field of mining education and the former Principal of the Camborne School of Mines, passed away peacefully on the 24th of September 2024, at the age of 90.
Born to a bus conductor and a factory worker, Peter became the first in his family to attend university, completing a 1st class degree in Mining Engineering and later a PhD in Rock Mechanics at University of Nottingham. During this time, he also met his future wife, Esme Lloyd, with whom he shared a lifelong partnership.
At just 37 years old, Peter accepted the role of Principal at the Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall, a position he held from 1970 to 1994. During his tenure, he transformed the institution into a globally recognised leader in mining and minerals education. He developed modern degree courses and postgraduate research programmes and was instrumental in the school's eventual merger with the University of Exeter.
Peter was made a Fellow of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (IMM) in 1989 and served as its President from 1989 to 1990. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers and was awarded an OBE for his services to mining education. In 1993, Peter was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall, representing Her Majesty the Queen at numerous formal engagements across the county until 2008. Between 2005 and 2012 he also served as President of the Camborne branch of his favourite charity, the RNLI.
Peter remained active throughout his life and had a deep love for sailing. Among his many accomplishments and club trophies, he proudly won the Falmouth Week Champagne Race. An enthusiast of all things mechanical, Peter spent his retirement rebuilding and enjoying vintage & classic vehicles, including a yellow Triumph GT6 and later his treasured Lancia Fulvia. A devoted father and grandfather, he cherished the time spent with his family, both in person and online.
Dr. Peter Hackett leaves behind a remarkable legacy in education, engineering, and the many lives he touched across the globe.Obituary provided by Dr Hackett's daughter, Cathie.Further obituary online.
Margaret Hafner (née Child), French - July 2016
Anthony (Tony) Hall, Civil Engineering - 21 June 2018
John Harness, Physics - 2 July 2011
Marjorie Harness (née Radcliffe), Music - 2 February 2017
Jackson Heyes, Law - 24 August 2019
David Helliwell, Industrial Economics - 6 July 2012
Anne Jessica Hills MBE (née Blackden), English - December 2007
Gerald Hooper, Mechanical Engineering - 19 February 2013
Elizabeth Howells, Politics - 13 May 2004
Barry Hutton, Geography - 2019
For a full obituary please seeThe Guardian
Michael Ierodiaconou, Physics - 2009
John Inglis, Zoology - 5 March 2011
Barrington Isted, Economics & Social History - 27 October 2013
Ian Campbell Jeffrey, Mining Engineering - 25 May 2013
Timothy Kidd, Theology - 12 June 2011
Joan Mary Kivi, Pharmacy - 3 April 2013
Terence Lemon, Civil Engineering - 19 August 2018
Josephine McElroy (née Martin), French – 14 June 2021
Josephine McElroy (née Martin) died on 14th June 2021 after a short illness. Following graduation from Nottingham with a degree in French she went on to make full use of her languages, initially in London where she worked for a Belgian import business, then later in Kent following her marriage to John McElroy. Taking time off work to have two children, she returned as a teacher, becoming head of modern languages at a comprehensive school in Kent and teaching French and German to A level. She travelled frequently to France and had many lifelong friends there, including some she had initially made during her year abroad in Le Puy in the 1950s when studying for her degree at Nottingham. Jo was the first from her family to attend university and the experience had a big impact on her. She was proud that her children and grandchildren have gone on to study at university and to benefit as she did from the opportunity. Obituary kindly supplied by Josephine's son John McElroy.
Patricia Moore, Social Administration - 13 October 2011
Kenneth Morris, Chemistry
Dorothy Mountfield (née Gibbs), Pharmacy - 23 May 2021
Anthony Norminton, Agriculture/Horticulture - 24 June 2011
Klaus Pelzer, Civil Engineering - 29 September 2022
Ralph Petty, Spanish
Anne (Margaret) Phillips (née Jones), Botany - October 2007
Philip Priestley, Chemistry - 9 March 2018
Eric Pringle, English - 2017
Online obituary can be found atThe Writer's Guild of Great Britain
Gillian Reed, Geography
Maxwell Rouse, Mechanical Engineering - November 1990
James Saunt, Agriculture/Horticulture - November 2010
Barry Smith, Chemistry - November 2009
Patrick Smith, Mathematics - 25 April 2020
Brian Stubbs, Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences - 19 September 2013
Dr Malcolm Thorneycroft, Electrical Engineering - 2 December 2018
John Bryan Todd, French - 17 November 2010
Roger Tomlinson, Geography - 7 February 2014
Tony Tolhurst, Law - November 2013
William Tromans, Politics - November 2005
Hugh Walker, Electrical Engineering - 20 June 2013
Keith Watkinson, Russian and Slavonic Studies
Hazel Whitaker (née Grain), Social Administration - 10 July 2021
Michael Widdas, Mining Engineering - 7 June 2009
Jean Willis (née Thomas), Chemistry - August 2022
Martin Willis, Chemistry - 30 October 2006
Rev Derek Robert Wooldridge, Economic & Social History
James (Ian) Wragg, History - 21 October 2023
1958
Peter Ala Adjetey, Law - 15 July 2008
Marita Allwood (née Lawler-Wilson), English - 26 July 2006
Ram Azad, Mining Engineering - 15 July 2009
Mary (Jill) Ball (née Massey), French - 23 August 2017
John Baumber, Zoology - December 2009
Premanand Bhatt, Electrical Engineering - 18 June 2008
Evan Biggs, Geology – 23 July 2022
On graduating, Evan’s first job involved five years of geological mapping in Uganda, where he and his new wife, Hazel developed a love for Africa and also started their family. His job then took him through British Guyana, Iran, French Dahomey and Nigeria before landing in Perth, Western Australia, where the family settled permanently in 1969. Western Australia was a fertile ground for exploration geology, both in the private sector and for the State Government, and he also continued an active involvement in the Mining Club and IoM3 until 2022. He continued an involvement with Nottingham Alumni including and the close friends he met at the University. He is survived by three sisters, a brother, two sons and four grandchildren.Obituary kindly supplied by Evan's son Paul Biggs.
Clifford Brown, Slavonic/French Studies - 2021
Clifford Gordon Brown was born in Nottingham in April 1937. It might have been expected that this lad from a two-up-two-down terrace in the Nottingham backstreets would follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom were employed by Players, the local cigarette manufacturer. But there was an academic side to Clifford, and in 1958 he graduated from Nottingham University with a degree in Russian Studies. A year later, Clifford was a qualified teacher, a career which would take him and his bride Shirley briefly to Cheshire before settling in Northamptonshire. Clifford’s academic studies never ceased, and in 1984 he was awarded a master’s degree in Education by Nottingham University. Away from the classroom, Clifford further utilised his teaching skills to coach badminton, for many years guiding players up to county level. The closure of Kettering Grammar School in 1993 heralded a new chapter in Clifford’s life. Always willing to expand his horizons, he learned computing through the Open University and went on to teach the subject at Northampton College. In 2003, in recognition of his studies, the Open University awarded Clifford a Science Degree, making him that rare breed: a Bachelor of both the Arts and Sciences. Not known for his small talk, Clifford often wore a stern, teacher’s exterior, but underneath there was warmth, a kind heart and a keen sense of humour; and he was quietly influential – with two generations of his family embarking on careers in the teaching profession. Clifford passed away in September 2021, leaving three children and seven grandchildren.Obituary kindly supplied by Clifford's son Robert Brown.
Patricia Bryant (née Eden), Agriculture/Horticulture - December 2023
Alan Charlton, French and German - 28 June 2022
John Clasper, Pharmacy - 7 December 2011
Robert (Bob) Cocker, Industrial Economics - 8 October 2021
John Dinnage, Electrical Engineering - 2012
James Douglas, Mechanical Engineering - July 2009
Elizabeth (Liz / Bet) Fearnley (née Lloyd), Mathematics - 12 January 2019
I'm saddened to tell you that on Sunday 12 January 2019 my beloved Wife died. She was Bet to me, but Liz to many who knew her during her university days. Besides studying Maths, she was a member of the Union Exec for her entire time at Nottingham and a correspondingly prominent member of the Debating Society). We had 5 children (Robert, our middle son studied maths at Nottingham in the early 1980s) and they kindly produced 14 grandchildren for us (four boys and ten girls, three of whom read some rather lovely poems at the service).Obituary information kindly supplied by Bill (aka "Fuzz") Fearnley - Mathematics , 1956
Andrew Gerard Foster, Law - 3 February 2013
Alan Foulkes, English Studies and Philosophy - 29 November 2012
Colin Freshney, Sociology
Dr John Foster, Pharmacy - 28 November 2019
Mary Gathercole, French and English - 2012
Professor Barry Garner, Geography/Economics - 17 June 2018
Frederick Gillott, Mechanical Engineering - 12 May 2010
Stuart Goold, Electrical Engineering - 2019
Professor Timothy Gray, Botany - 21 March 2018
Barbara Harding, French - 3 September 2011
Peter Harris, Agriculture and Microbiology - 2012
Christine Harrison (née Stone), Social Administration - 29 December 2018
Simon Hill, Botany - 29 December 2008
Ruth Gillian (Jill) Hoad (née Wright), English - 7 December 2023
Ian Hogg, History - 12 February 2022
Michael Hooton, Electrical Engineering - 11 February 2020
Mike had an interesting electrical engineering career - he was an electrical design engineer at Drakelow, Didcot, Rugeley B and Hinkley B generating stations in the UK before moving to Canada where he was senior electrical engineer at Nanticoke Ontario g.s. and Pickering nuclear station. In British Columbia, he was the senior electrical engineer on the Hat Creek Power Project and the design consultant on a Skytrain substation in Vancouver. In Nova Scotia he was the design consultant on Trenton 6 and senior electrical engineer at Point Aconi generating stations. In east & West Java Indonesia he designed 2x400mw and 3x600mw coal fired stations. In Nantong China he was the lead electrial engineer on 2x250mw coal fired stations. He leaves his wife Brenda in Torquay Devon, his sister in Leverington Cambridgeshire, 2 sons, 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild in British Columbia, an aunt and numerous cousins in the UK plus many friends around the world. He had many fond memories of his years at Nottingham University.Obituary information kindly supplied by wife Brenda
Michael Hughes, Electrical Engineering
Dr Hiroo Inokuchi, Chemistry - 20 March 2014
David A Jeffrey,Law - 2 April 2008
Brian Kenderdine, Agriculture/Horticulture - 8 april 2024
Christine Kennett (née Lakin), English - 16 August 2022
Dr Richard Langdale-Smith, Chemistry - 27 February 2012
Completing his PhD in 1962, Richard took up a post doctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana. On completion of his fellowship, Richard joined Union Carbide in Charleston, West Virginia, working in pharmaceutical research. It was an area he enjoyed and while there, produced papers and a patent. However, funding was slashed and many researchers were made redundant. Richard was offered a position working in "plastics" which was not a pathway he wished to pursue and so decided to change careers. He was one of 40 postgraduate students to be accepted, in 1970, into the new and innovative three year medical program at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Problem based learning and early exposure to patients were emphasised. On graduation and completion of his family medicine training, Richard joined a fellow graduate in urban practice in Hamilton before seeking broader and more challenging experiences in a small logging town in British Columbia. Moving to Australia with his Australian wife, Gill, he joined a four person practice in Leeton, NSW where he practised for 15 years before moving to Canberra in 1994. In Canberra he worked as a civilian medical practitioner for the Australian military. Throughout his medical career, teaching and researching continued to be important for Richard as was involvement in the Family Medicine Program. He had a strong commitment to keeping his skills and knowledge relevant and current, and was committed to continuing professional education. Obituary kindly supplied by Richard's wife Gill Langdale-Smith.
Robert Lawford, Law
Harold Leach, Law
George Longbottom, Agriculture/Horticulture
Dr David Lyon , Politics - March 2023
Dr John Anthony Manning, Chemistry – 19 November 2018
Colin McCarthy, Industrial Economics - 2011
Harry McQuillan, Geology - 7 June 2021
John Morgan, Metallurgy - 2011
Susan Morgan-Thomas, Social Administration - 21 September 2020
PeterMorris, Chemistry - 2 February 2011
Emeritus Professor Owen Morgan, French - 1 September 2010
Frank Musgrove, Education - 29 August 2011
Dr Grenville Norton, Agriculture/Chemistry - 14 March 2024
Dr Norton, known to everyone as ‘Gren’, completed both a BSc in Agricultural Chemistry (1955) and PhD (1958) at Sutton Bonnington School of Agriculture. Assuming the post of Assistant Lecturer in Plant Biochemistry shortly after, he travelled as a research fellow and visiting Professor to the California Institute of Technology and Cornell University, bringing back his research to Nottingham. His passion and knowledge into the use of plant materials in food and feed was respected worldwide with support for further research from MAFF, Schering Agriculture, the Perry Foundation and the Homegrown Cereals Authority. In 1961 he married Sutton Bonington student Pat Womersley with whom he had 3 children. In 1971 he became Senior Lecturer and remained in this post until retiring in 1997. Gren was a highly regarded colleague and mentor, co-authoring multiple publications at home and abroad including papers for the Royal Society of Chemistry, the British Journal of Nutrition, the Journal of Science and Food Agriculture, as well as papers conferences and congresses all over the world. Obituary kindly supplied by daughter, Ginny Winder.
PatriciaElizabeth Norton, Agriculture/Horticulture
Gwyneth Osborn (née Johnson), English - 7 February 2018
Professor Robert (Bob) Parfitt, Pharmacy - 6 February 2024
Robert Thomas Parfitt, Emeritus Professor, died suddenly on 6 February 2024, aged 87. He is survived by wife Judith and two daughters with families. Robert (Bob) entered Nottingham University with a State and Open Scholarship and graduated with B.Pharm in 1958, then a year apprenticeship at Glaxo Laboratories. This was followed by a PhD in Chemical Carcinogenesis again at Nottingham. Overseas he lectured at Queensland University, then moving to The National Institutes of Health in Washington DC working on Opioid Analgesics. Next it was Strathclyde University to lecture and establish a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory. After that, it was a move to Pfizer Research Ltd designing drugs, followed by Drug Discovery at Nicholas International. In 1975 he was appointed Professor of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at The University of Bath. His co-authored book Opioid Analgesics was published in 1986. In 1984 he became Principal of Canberra College of Advanced Education, now Canberra University; in 1987 he was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, at University of Western Australia. In Perth he was Chairman of the annual Festival of Perth. Finally, Bob was the founding Principal of University College Stockton, the first new build to be established in the UK for over 20 years. He continued to consult for various Universities, Commissions and Councils, undertook much research into the life of Mozart and infidelities of wife Constanze, plus local history - The Book of South Stoke with Midford. Obituary kindly supplied by Robert's wife, Judith.
Dr W. N. (Bill) Pitkethly, Pharmacy - 29 July 2017
Born in Newcastle, Bill Pitkethly appeared in the 1955 intake of the School of Pharmacy as the prototype Geordie. Bluff, reliable, always cheerful, he was a popular member of the year, particularly prominent in the annual Lake Battle against the Engineers, and the Beer Race around the University campus. Following graduation he returned to the North East where he taught chemistry before moving to a career post in academia at Sunderland, where he completed his PhD, later moving into the NHS, to build a Quality Control function. He completed his working life with a spell in Community Pharmacy combined with undertaking inspection and consultancy work, eventually retiring to spend time with the family and grandchildren he loved. He passed away on July 29th 2017.Obituary kindly supplied by Bill's classmates, John Bell and Professor Bob Parfitt
Arthur Ridings, Physics - 3 May 2017
Joseph John Salmon, Physics - October 2022
Catherine Shonubi (née Senkatuka), Geography - 1970
Christopher Smith, Law
Christopher Southall, Agriculture/Horticulture - December 2020
Susanne Stoessl, Economics - October 2013
Online obituaries atThe GuardianandFind Your Feet
Dudley Walker, Law - 26 January 2023
A very happy student and lifelong supporter of the University. Kindly supplied by Dudley's daughter.
Anthony Wright, Geology - 29 July 2011
The death occurred on 29 July 2011 of Professor Anthony David Wright. He was aged 77. Tony, as he was known to many, graduated from Nottingham University in 1958 with a First Class Honours degree in Geology.Thereafter, his distinguished academic career was spent at Queen's University, Belfast. He began as Research Assistant and then through the ranks of Lecturer and Reader, became Head of the Geology Department (1974-1990) and Professor (1974-1998) He enjoyed a worldwide reputation as an expert in the study of fossil brachiopods and it was his contribution to brachiopod research which the University of Nottinghamrecognisedin July this year byconferring on himthe degree of Doctor of Science. Sadly, Tony was unable to receive the degree in person because of ill health.Obituary kindly supplied by a friend of Tony's, Brian Playle.
John Westley, Chemistry - 2011
Dr. John William Westley 75, died December 12, 2011, at his home in Petaluma, California, after a brave and lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Dr. Westley was born on February 5, 1936, in the village of Sawston, seven miles south of Cambridge, England. He was the youngest child of Harold Sydney Westley and Daisy Victoria Sorrell. At the time of his birth, his brother Ivan Sydney was 11 years old and his sister Elma was 9. As a young man, he was an excellent student and cricket player. He attended, on scholarships, the Cambridgeshire High School for Boys and the University of Nottingham. He received his B.Sc. degree in chemistry with First Class Honors and the Jesse Boot Prize in 1958, and his Ph.D. degree in 1961, all from the University of Nottingham. In July 1961, Dr. Westley, his wife, Angela, and one-year-old son, Nicholas John, moved from Nottingham to Palo Alto, California. There he worked in the Chemistry Department at Stanford University with Professor Carl Djerassi. After a brief collaboration with J.C. Craig at UCSF, he returned to Stanford to work on a NASA-funded project under the direction of Nobel Laureate, Joshua Lederberg, of the Genetics Department, to look for ways of detecting extraterrestrial life. In 1964, Dr. Westley and his wife had a second son, Peter Miles. In 1968, Dr. Westley and his family moved to New Jersey, where he took a job as Associate Director of the Microbiology Department of the pharmaceutical firm, Hoffman-LaRoche. At Roche he and his department identified, solved the structures of, and biosynthesized antibiotics. In 1972, Chao-min Liu, a microbiologist from Taiwan and the University of Wisconsin, joined Dr. Westley at Roche. In their retirement years, John and Chao-min agreed that their work on Polyether Antibiotics, summarized in two volumes by the publisher Marcel Decker (1976-7), were the most successful collaborations of their scientific careers. In 1985, Dr. Westley left Roche to join SKB, now known as Glaxo SmithKline, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. There he directed a natural products group of four senior chemists and their support teams, dedicated to the isolation of compounds with potential pharmacological activity from terrestrial plants and marine organisms. Dr. Westley had 110 publications and was awarded 32 patents during the course of his career. Some of the compounds patented improve cardiovascular function and one has potential as an anti-obesity agent. During a summer tennis clinic at Glaxo in 1992, Dr. Westley met a charming young lady, Camille Dixon. He had always intended to retire to California, where both his sons lived. In 1996, John persuaded Camille to move with him to Northern California. They were married in the town of Sonoma on July 27, 2003. Dr. Westley is survived by his wife, brother, two sons, their wives, Monica and Lisa, and four grandchildren, Aidan, Allison, Sydney, and Alexandra. John's love of life, work, family, and friends will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service Tuesday, December 20th at Adobe Creek Funeral Home 331 Lakeville St., Petaluma, CA 94952. 707-789-9000. Online condolences may be made atadobecreekfuneralhome.com. Published in San Francisco Chronicle on December 18, 2011
1959
David Allen, Animal Physiology - 2007
Robert Banham, Theology
Margaret Bennett (née Scott), French & Spanish
Maurice Brown, Mechanical Engineering
Mary Burdes, Geography - 1997
Jacqueline Cameron, Pharmacy - February 2012
Philip Carr, Mathematics
David Cheetham, Physics
Kenneth Coates, Sociology and Politics - 27 June 2010
For a full obituary please seeThe Guardian
Brian Cracknell, Chemistry
David Croft, Law - 21 January 2009
James Trevor Crosby, History - 23 January 1996
Colin Dean, Physics - 20 May 2021
After graduating from Nottingham, Colin joined the Falkland Islands Dependencies survey ( Now British Antarctic Survey) and spent two years doing scientific research at their Halley Bay base and then at the Scott Polar Research Institute. He spent his later career, however, in the developing computer industry, working for ICT/ICL and later Burroughs/ Sperry. Through his work on large computer systems Colin became involved and spent his later years working in the banking industry in South Africa and developing computer applications therein. His other major interest was in Military History, and he was Chairman of the South African Military History Society for some years. Obituary kindly supplied by Colin's wife Marjorie Dean.
HH Michael Dean, Law - December 2021
After graduating with a Ist Class honours in law from Nottingham, in 1968 Michael became a member of commercial chambers, 7 Kings Bench Walk, London. In 1981 he was appointed Queens Council and worked mainly on disputes between commercial shipping companies. Then, in 1992 he accepted an invitation to the bench and served as sitting Judge, Central London County Court, High Court and Queens Bench. He retired in 2010. His only son, Michael Ross Dean, graduated from Nottingham in 2013.Obituary kindly supplied by Michael's wife, Jane.
Philip Simon Doughty, Geology - 14 January 2013
John Fisher, English - 26 February 2014
Peter Fey, French
John Game, Social Administration - 18 July 2008
John Golby, History - 21 February 2009
Francis Green, Animal Husbandry/Applied Biochemistry - August 2024
John Harle, Geography - February 2020
David Harris, English - 27 November 2010
Kathleen Harris (née Smith), Agriculture/Microbiology - 6 January 2021
Richard Harvey, Geography - 26 December 2022
Fred Hepburn, Physics
Peter Hiscock, Physics - 13 November 2015
William (Bill) Hoad, Education
Graham Hockley, Economics - 22 March 2017
John Holden, Chemistry/Zoology - 28 June 2010
William Holden, Pharmacy
Dr John Hopkinson, Agriculture/Botany - 28 August 2023
Michael Hudson, Chemistry - 28 July 2003
Paul Hunt, Mathematics - 11 November 2012
George Hurd, Electrical Engineering - February 2013
Dr Thomas Hyde, Civil Engineering - 22 December 2016
Judith Jackson (née Hare), English - 13 January 2023
Duncan Jeffray, Botany - 1 February 2018
The Exmoor Society is deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Dr Duncan Jeffray on 1 February 2018. He joined The Exmoor Society in 2007, soon after his move to Minehead following his retirement from Warwick University. He was co-opted on to the Executive in 2010 and became Vice Chairman in 2015. Duncan has played a leading role in the Society, particularly in relation to planning where he meticulously researched all the sites prior to his detailed recommendations to Trustees.Obituary kindly supplied by Exmoor Society.
Robert Kirkpatrick, Education - 17 December 2005
Brian Lace, History
Robert Leslie, Chemistry - 1 January 2014
John Lloyd, Mechanical Engineering - 10 June 2015
Pamela Lloyd (née Hudson), French and Spanish - January 2016
Pamela graduated in 1959 in French and Spanish and taught both, together with Latin, ending up in Bablake School in Coventry. She was also deeply involved in the running of the school’s French annex in Southern Brittany. We had two children, Anna, who graduated in French and Italian, and Jonathan, a mathematician and now senior financial officer for an Irish company. Anna taught for twenty years and is now in hotel events management. We kept in touch with about 20 Nottingham graduates, meeting assorted members twice a year at various hotels in Britain, and had close contact with 10. At her funeral over 100 colleagues, friends and ex-graduates came from many parts of the country. We had many contacts with France, she arranged school exchanges and family ones, many such groups are still in contact. She was well regarded by many people and I have had several hundred letters from friends and ex-pupils, many expressing gratitude for the care she took in her work. Many said they have become linguists because of her influence.
Obituary kindly supplied by Pamela’s husband, Melvyn Lloyd (Chemistry 1959)
Howard Loughlin, Chemistry/Metallurgy - 2009
Very Reverend John Henry Moses, History - 14 July 2024
After graduating, John trained as a teacher before becoming an Anglican priest, serving first in the Diocese of Coventry, then moving to Essex where he was Provost of Chelmsford Cathedral from 1982-96 and then Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, until his retirement to Southwell in 2006. He always spoke warmly of his time at Nottingham and was happy to exchange memories of the Campus and Student Life.Kindly supplied by Dora Winifred Simmonds and David John Simmonds.
For a full obituary please see Church Times
Brian Moss OBE, Mechanical Engineering - 2016
Colin Munday, Industrial Economics - August 2023
Robin Mundy, Geography - 5 May 2018
Alfred Nash, Theology - 1991
Alfred Victor John Nash died 1991. He became an ordained minister in the Congregational Church and worked until a few days before his death. Much missed.Obituary kindly supplied by Alfred's daughter, Chris.
Edward Nesom, Grouped Subjects
Joan Newiss, Slavonic Studies - 9 December 2022
Janet Norbury (née Searle), Economic and Social History
Christine "Chris" Olende (née Knell), Botany - 9 November 2023
In the early 1960s, Chris went to the University of Western Ontario, London, where she got an MSc. And where she met her future husband, a Kenyan student Shem Arungu Olende, got married and her eldest son was born. They moved to London, and she taught at a convent school, while her husband studied. Their second son was born, and they moved to Nairobi. A third son was born during a spell back in Britain. At the beginning of the 1970s the marriage broke up and Chris returned to London with the three boys. They lived in Woodford and Chris was involved in establishing the local playgroup network for mothers with young children. She taught English as a second language in evening classes and went on to become a biology teacher at Braeside school in Buckhurst Hill. In 1978 the they moved to Walthamstow, where she would stay for the rest of her life. When the boys had left school, she expanded her interests and activities, working as allotment officer for Waltham Forest council (overseeing sites where urban people could grow vegetables and other plants). She kept her own allotments, at one time growing vegetables on three. She became active in the environmental movement, through the Green party and various other organisations. She returned to her love for classical music and trad jazz, going dancing once or twice a week into her eighties. She became well known around Walthamstow and was busy in the area long after her retirement, right up until the onset of the Covid pandemic and her failing health in the past couple of years. She kept in touch with friends from throughout her life and she will be sorely missed by friends and family alike.Obituary kindly supplied by fellow graduate, Mike Richadson.
Raymond Page, English - 10 March 2012
Roger Partridge, Agriculture/Horticulture - 2012
Cecil Parnell, Physics - 6 February 2009
Roger Parkes, Mechanical Engineering - 20 October 2012
Anthony Rawlinson, Industrial Economics - August 2010
Jean Reeve (née Alexander), Education - August 2015
Alan Rice, Mechanical Engineering - 27 November 2018
Alan Rice passed away on Tuesday 27th November 2018 at home with his family by his side. A loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by all his loving family and friends. Alan Rice graduated in 1959 in Mechanical Engineering and worked for many years as a management consultant at PA Consulting. He was later Director of his own company specialising in the design and production of generators and alternators and also worked closely with the University of Leicester on various engineering projects. Alan married Maria Rice, who was also at Nottingham University graduating in 1959 in Biology. They had three children, Anielka, who graduated in Botany, mother to three granddaughters, Eliza, Ellen and Alice; James, who graduated in Electrical Engineering, a hedge fund manager and father to grandson William and granddaughter Georgia; and Halina, who graduated in Philosophy and Theology, a director of ecommerce. In the last two decades Alan looked after Maria, stoically and unstintingly – with wit and good humour. Alan and Maria kept in touch with a group of friends formed at Nottingham University - in more recent years meeting annually in the Lake District, sharing fond memories of their time at Nottingham. Alan was a traditionalist in many regards and forthright with his opinions; he would more than frequently offer his viewpoint on an issue whether it contradicted those around him or not. He always stood for what he believed in. He loved to shock, amuse, and he often saw things differently, unconventionally. He cherished seeing the world through his own very unique perspective. And that also meant you could rely on him for a distinctive and independent viewpoint. He was buried at Kirk Hallam and the service was attended by many friends from all aspects of his life. He was well respected and a guiding figure to many of those he met. Alan Rice : Loyal and Stoic, Capable and intelligent, Loving, And always funny.Obituary kindly supplied by Alan's daughter, Halina
Elizabeth (Betty) Roberts (née Coe), Law - 20 June 2019
Peter Roberts, Politics - 26 May 2015
Alan Rothwell, German - February 2018
Professor Sheung Tam, Chemistry - 1 January 2021
David John Thirkall, Agriculture/Horticulture - 25 August 2009
Gerald Toogood, Chemistry - 30 November 2020
For a full obituary please seeERB&Good
Marian Tyacke (née Philip), English - 8 January 2009
Sandra Wilson (née Proud), Pharmacy - 2011
Michael Witcomb, Geography/Economic Social History - 18 December 2010
Richard Radley, Agriculture/Horticulture - 12 October 2011
Joy Utting, Theology - 12 December 2011
Dr Alan Walker, Chemistry - 14 October 2019
Michael Ward, Pharmacy - 19 July 2019
Vera Theresa Wass, Pharmacy - 28 June 2014
Michael Wright, Industrial Economics
Dr Edwin Willis, Chemistry - 21 December 2016
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1940– 1949
1940
Eric Dalgleish, Engineering - October 2008
John Dawes, Physics - 22 August 2007
Mary Fryer (née Cottrell), German - 2013
Arthur Heggs, English
Stanley Middleton, English - 25 July 2009
Jack Vennart, Physics - 14 May 2010
1942
Norman Labrum, Physics - 17 June 2011
Donald Moss, Chemistry - 23 February 2017
Harry Smith, Chemistry - 10 December 2011
Dr Norman Todd, Pharmacy - 30 January 2019
For a full obituary, please seeThe Nottingham Post
1943
Donald Ager, Geography - 28 July 2006
George Baines, Agriculture/Horticulture - 6 January 2014
Thomas (Henry) Barton, Agriculture
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of my father who was a student at the Midland Agricultural College at Sutton Bonnington 1941-43. Henry Was 93 and died peacefully at his home in West Leake, just a couple of miles from Sutton Bonnington. He loved his time at Sutton Bonnington, during the war, and it is amazing to think that he started there at the age of 16 and achieved his Diploma in Agriculture when he was 18. His family had a farm on the edge of Nottingham where they had a herd of Pedigree Ayrshire Dairy cattle. After college father ran the family farm before starting a bus tour company and then in 1948 a vehicle repair business. The vehicle business grew to now employ 650 people. He was Chairman of his family bus business which was one of the biggest in Europe before it was sold in the mid 1980s. At West Leake, where he lived since the early 1960s, he had a herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle on his 70 acres of land. Latterly, the farm has mainly kept sheep and ponies. He did a lot to keep the character of the village by planting hundreds of trees and resisting development.Obituary kindly supplied by Henry's son, Tom
Mary Brogan (née Halliday), Geography - 23 January 2012
Bernard Crossland, Mechanical Engineering - January 2011
Clifford Marsland, Pharmacy
1944
Lilian Brabben - 22 August 2012
Frank Cooper, Chemistry - 1997
Marion Davie (née Smith), Medieval and Modern History - 28 February 2013
Hilda Garrett, English
William Kenyon, Pharmacy - 22 September 2011
Andrew Marris, Physics - 7 September 2005
Kenneth Marsh, Chemistry
John Prentice, Geology - January 2006
Ivor Richmond, Physics
1945
Dr Stewart Adams OBE, Pharmacy - 30 January 2019
For a full obituary, please seeSchool of Pharmacy
Raymond Adlington, Physics
Dr George Gamlen, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics - 2022
Patricia Lawton (née Randall), Geography - 14 November 2013
Alan MacDonald, Engineering - 2 October 2008
Ian Merry, Electrical Engineering/Engineering/C T - 18 April 2007
Ian William Merry was born at Ilkeston in 1926, the younger son of Scots parents, and he died at St Affrique, France, on 18 April 2007, just short of his 81st birthday. Ian received his secondary education at Nottingham High School, and came up to University College, Nottingham in 1943. He specialised in Electrical Engineering and Electronics, graduating with the London external B.Sc.(Engineering) degree in 1945. But while at College, he also found time for 'cultural' activities, acting in Dram. Soc. productions and editing the Gong magazine. Another keen interest of his was music, as a violinist during his school years, and as a singer throughout his life. After UCN Ian joined the Royal Navy where he served for two years as a commissioned offiicer. His next post was with the BBC Research Department, working on the magnetic recording of television signals, a technique then in its infancy. After four years there, he joined the London laboratory of Ferranti Ltd, taking part in the development of the Pegasus computer, one of the most innovative and successful computers of its day. One model is still exhibited and in working order at London's Science Museum. Ian's part in this work was mainly in the development of the magnetic drum store, the forerunner of today's 'hard discs'. Later, he worked for several well-known companies, including IBM, Solartron, English Electric and ICL, and during the latter part of his career, was concerned with developing computer systems for foreign governments. In 1947 Ian married his College friend, Rosemary Calder, and they had one daughter who is now a retired GP. They lived in Hampshire for much of their married life, but on Ian's retirement they moved to Suffolk to be nearer to other members of Rosemary's family. Rosemary died in June 2004, and following her death, and despite looming health problems, Ian decided to go and live in the Aveyron region of France, an area that he and Rosemary had found especially attractive. He found a house there in the village of Montlaur, near St Affrique, completely renovated it, and moved in late in 2005. He settled well there, making good friends, and went a long way towards recapturing the intellectual lifestyle of his younger days. It is sad that he was not able to enjoy it for longer. Old friends remember Ian as 'clever, kind and good company'. In his own words, he had 'a wonderful life'. Obituary kindly supplied by Dr M Taub (Engineering 1945) and Ian's daughter.
James Parsons, Medicine - 2011
David William Petchey, Physics - 10 June 2013
Joy Rolinson, Zoology - 15 October 2015
Eunice Isabel Anne Parker (née O'Sullivan), Pharmacy - 8 January 2024
Eunice Parker (née O'Sullivan) had a habit of breaking conventions. Not only did she become one of Britain’s leading pharmacists, but qualified at a time when 90% of the profession was male — she also drove to work on a Lambretta scooter decades before they became fashionable. Unwaveringly positive and fiercely independent, Eunice’s success was drawn from her conviction that she could achieve whatever she wanted. She was, in other words, the perfect inspiration for young women hoping to become scientists. Eunice’s father, after seeing how his sister was forced to give up her life to care for their parents, was adamant that his two daughters would each have careers and not be dependent on anyone. His first Dierdre, became a Headteacher, and Eunice became Chief Pharmacist at the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone — the hospital used by the Royal family. Perhaps surprisingly, Eunice’s path to success started when she left school aged 16 to join Boots the Chemists as an apprentice. She gave all her pay to her mother, who put it away so she could one day afford to go to what was known as “Jesse Boot’s University”, now Nottingham University. There, Eunice studied for a diploma in pharmacy and qualified in 1945. She often spoke of having “the time of her life” at university, enjoying the attention that came with being one of the few women on campus. After graduating, she worked for Boots in different parts of England and became a hospital pharmacist. In 1947, she married Donald Parker, a mechanical research engineer. Two years later, she gave birth to her first child, Hugh. But motherhood didn’t dent her ambition. During the 1950s, Eunice moved to Leavesden Green Psychiatric Hospital, where she became known for driving into work on a Lambretta scooter. She had two more children: Barbara in 1951 and Sheila in 1952. Once again, she continued to balance her thriving career with family life. After a spell at Amersham General Hospital, she landed her Chief Pharmacist job at King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, London, in the late 1960s. As a result, she met members of royalty — both in the hospital and when she attended one of the late Queen Mother’s Garden parties. Despite her strong attachment to her Irish roots, she took great pride in her royal connections. Finally, after many years at the King Edward VII, she returned to the NHS and became Chief Pharmacist for Wexham Park Hospital and the surrounding area. For Eunice, however, pursuing a successful career and raising family still wasn’t enough. While working full-time as a senior pharmacist, she also studied jewellery-making, and even obtained a licence to buy gold so she could craft gold jewellery. She also made all her clothes throughout her life, designing and crafting beautiful suits, coats, evening dresses, and everyday clothes. As she entered her 60s, retirement was far from a priority for Eunice. Instead, she moved to Dorchester, Dorset, to work for various retail chemists. Finally, she became a locum in the surrounding area, only retiring as a pharmacist once she was into her 70s. However, even then, she did not stop working. In Dorset, she became a volunteer guide at Parnham House, the site of Craftsmen in Wood, where Viscount Linley studied. When she moved to Hertfordshire in the 1990s, she joined the local Community Health Trust as a Trustee. A decade later, she became a guide at Lord Leycester Hospital after moving to Warwick. Even in her 90s, she made clothes and toys for her great-grandchildren and local charity shops. During her final decade, Eunice spent much of her time laughing, her infectious smile often the first thing you saw when she looked at you. And yet, until the end, she retained her power to wither with strong words anyone who deserved it. She was joyful but candid; tender-hearted but fair. Eunice leaves behind children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends who miss her very much — as well as a legacy they will never forget. Obituary kindly supplied by Eunice's daughter, Sheila Lewis.
Eileen Savage (née Marsden), Geography - 14 November 2013
Daniel (Matt) Taub, Electrical Engineering – 19 December 2021
Daniel Matthew (Matt) Taub was born in 1926, the younger son of Rosa and Jimmy Taub, and he died in Winchester, Hampshire on 19 December 2021, aged 95. Matt received his secondary education mostly in Nottingham, and came up to University College, Nottingham in 1942 or 1943 graduating with the London external B.Sc.(Engineering) degree in 1945. Due to poor eyesight, he was exempted from National Service, and went to Jesus College, Cambridge as a postgraduate student, being awarded an M.Sc. in 1950. He was later awarded a Ph.D., in 1982 on the strength of his published papers. His early career included work for the Ericsson Telephone Company in Beeston, Nottingham and LEO computers, followed by a move to IBM Hursley in 1957, from where he retired in 1987 - and he stayed in Winchester for the rest of his life. Throughout his career he was involved in research on various aspects of computing hardware, including magnetic core logic circuits and the design of microcomputer bus systems. Matt had a wide range of interests, including playing flute and bassoon and, towards the end of his life, he helped regularly as an unpaid teaching assistant in a Primary School near where he lived. His first marriage was to Vera Martynoff in 1958 followed, after the birth of their son, by her death at the age of 37. His second marriage was to Mildred Griffiths, who survives him. Obituary kindly supplied by Matt's son, Nick Taub.
Eric Thompson, Engineering - August 2019
Ida Sutton, History
Norman West, Pharmacy
Clifford Willis, Pharmacy - 2020
1946
Robert Anderson, Agriculture - 1 October 2007
Patricia Brown (née Hollingworth), Physics - 13 May 2019
Sheila Carson, Social Studies - 2009
George Clayton, Physics - 31 September 2013
Peter Coates, Agriculture - 27 March 2017
Kathleen Davenport (née Buckley), Agriculture/Horticulture – 18 June 2022
Patricia Ford (née Simmons), Mathematics – 15 May 2022
Helen Frost, French
Peter Lambert, Agriculture/Horticulture - July 2013
Richard Mayne, Engineering - 2020
John Pepper, Agriculture
1947
Sidney Brown, Physics - 23 March 2010
Edith Crompton (née Ackroyd), Pharmacy - 28 December 2005
Kenneth Fellowes, Chemistry - 18 June 2011
Joan Fisher (née Edwards), Physics
Maurice Goldhill, Pharmacy
Thomas Heyes, Chemistry - 14 October 2009
George Irons, Physics - 17 May 2009
Kathleen (Joyce) Kent (née Tahnay), English - 17 February 2006
Patricia Kimmons, English - November 2008
Thomas Martin, General Practice - 5 April 2008
Dr George Rolinson, Botany - 8 December 2016
John Shaw, Chemistry - December 2012
Geoffrey Tibbs, Chemistry - January 2012
1948
Corinne Brant, Agriculture/Horticulture
David Bell, Chemistry - 8 June 2018
Herbert Eisner, Physics - 28 June 2011
Joseph Flower, Engineering
Shirley Hoskins, French - 31 December 2010
Anthony Charles Krarup, Civil Engineering - 25 December 2012
Donald Litherland, Chemistry - 17 July 2009
James Parkinson, Pharmacy - 6 September 2007
Bernard Roberts, Physics - 20 January 1969
Bernard obtained his degree at Nottingham University College in 1948 before working for 2 years at GKN, Wolverhampton in lieu of national service. He then moved to Elliott Bros (London) Ltd Research laboratories in Borehamwood, Herts, where he worked on various projects including an early "Pea Weigher" for Birds Eye frozen peas at Lowestoft, and on some vacuum work. In 1958 he moved to the Technical Development dept of BNS at Pontypool, S Wales, and was employed on various aspects of nylon fabrics until the time of his death in an air crash close to Yeadon (now Leeds-Bradford) Airport, Yorkshire on 20th January 1969. Ever since University he maintained his marksmanship having learnt to shoot at University, and going on to represent the University with Col Shaw at Bisley. Dad continued this love of shooting going on to run the Monmouthshire Rifle Association. Obituary kindly supplied by Bernard's son Neil Roberts.
Peggy Rumbol (née McConville), English - 30 May 2006
Moran Shaw (Ratcliffe), French - 19 March 2016
Maurice Standeven, French - 24 September 2008
Isobel Trueman, French - 20 February 2007
Frances (Peggy) Turner (née Roberts), Social Science - 2010
Peter Whitaker, Physics - 17 December 2009
1949
Maurice Adams, Agriculture - 9 September 2019
Allan Alsbury, Chemistry - 11 May 2015
Arthur Burdett, Civil Engineering - 16 March 2006
Raymond Clarke, Applied Social Science - 4 March 2010
Raymond Collard, Pharmacy - 8 November 2013
Constance Cooke (née Barratt)
Cyril Davies, Mining Engineering - 8 February 2013
Desmond Dean, Pharmacy - 24 July 2010
Josephine Egerton (née Buffy), History - June 2012
Joseph Gould
Pamela Harborow (née Richardson), Geography - 2015
Frank Harris, Combined Studies - 13 December 2010
Henry (Harry) Heath MBE, Pharmacy
Margaret Hodgson (née White), French
Deryck Ingall, English
Yat Sun Lau, Civil Engineering - 3 November 2011
John Mainwood, Botany - 28 September 2016
Former botany graduate and respected company director has passed away after a short illness aged 88. A former captain of the debating team, John gained a BSc in botany in 1949 and spent a further two years as a research scholar. As part of his involvement with the debating society, John fondly recalls an overnight stay at the family home of Richard and David Attenborough whose father was principal at University College, Leicester. After his five years at Nottingham, he spent the next three years in national service as Flying Officer at RAF Middle Wallop and later as camp commander at RAF Trimley Heath. In January 1953 he was called into action at the devastating floods and storms in Felixstowe. On leaving the RAF he went on to work for Fisons, becoming a director for the overseas subsidiary at the age of 38. In the early 1970s he moved to Guinness brewing worldwide. As a company director, John enjoyed a career filled with meeting many interesting people and experiencing different cultures all over the world. He will be fondly remembered by many for a life full of achievement.Obituary kindly supplied by John's son, Julian.
J Marshall, Economics - July 2008
Joan Morgan, English - 2017
Bridget Ogden, Economics - February 2011
Francis Harry Panton, Chemistry - 8 April 2013
Timothy Potts, Engineering - March 2009
Joe Prest, French - August 2010
Charles Sharp, Law
Michael Solomon, Geology - 27 May 2009
Mike Solomon played a leading role in the development of economic geology, both in Australia and internationally. He had numerous achievements during a highly distinguished career, which included his pioneering work with volcanic-associated deposits, which put the Mount Read volcanic arc in the lexicon of geologists around the world. Mike had a desire to test the limits in his academic life, which often lead to new ways of thinking and advances in science. In addition to his many and varied academic achievements, Mike will be remembered for his ability to bring geology alive and make it fun, often joining his students at social events. Many of his students have gone on to become leading economic geologists in their own right, and they, like many others will remember him as a character, a leader, a mentor and a friend.Obituary supplied by Mike's wife Marjorie and is an abridged version of the obituary by Ross Large that appeared in the SEG newsletter.
Alan Studd, Physics - 16 May 2016
Anthony Whitehead, Education - 25 November 2012
Dr Gerald (Wilf) Wilford, Geology - 27 January 2019
Alan Wilson, Chemistry - December 2011
Kenneth Wilson, Pharmacy - May 2013
William Woodruff, Economic History - 23 September 2008
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1930– 1939
1932
Barbara Bloor (née Chamberlain), Geography - 29 July 2006
Leslie Norfolk, Mechanical Engineering - 25 August 2006
1935
Philip Shaw, Chemistry - 6 April 2013
1936
Leonard Story, Chemistry - August 2008
Charles Warr, Pharmacy
Monica Partridge (née McMain), French - 19 March 2008
Monica Alice McMain was born in Northampton in 1915. After Northampton School for Girls she read French, with Latin as her subsidiary subject, at the University College, Nottingham, graduating in 1936. In 1937 she was married to Maurice William (Bill) Partridge, who would hold the Jesse Boot Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Nottingham University. Professor Monica Partridge was for many years a force to be reckoned with in the field of Slavonic studies. Unusual among British Slavists for the vigour with which she promoted relationships with Soviet and Yugoslav colleagues from the early postwar years to the late 1970s, she was one of the very few Western scholars in her field to receive an honorary doctorate from a Soviet university and to be decorated by the Yugoslav Government. From 1947 to 1980 she taught in the Department of Slavonic Studies at the University of Nottingham where, in 1967, she was the first woman to be appointed to a chair. Under her headship, the department saw a stream of academic visitors from the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia and of lectorships in Serbo-Croat and Slovene through links that she had established with the Universities of Zagreb and Ljubljana. Her book and numerous articles on the 19th-century Russian socialist Alexander Herzen, and her Serbo-Croatian: Practical Grammar and Reader, are probably her most enduring academic legacy. Monica Alice McMain was born in Northampton in 1915. After Northampton School for Girls she read French, with Latin as her subsidiary subject, at the University College, Nottingham, graduating in 1936. In 1937 she was married to Maurice William (Bill) Partridge, who would hold the Jesse Boot Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Nottingham University. Read the full obituary in The Times.Obituary supplied by Malcolm V. Jones (Emeritus Professor of Russian and Slavonic Studies and former President of Convocation)
1937
Ronald Downing Baker, English
1938
Ronald Gollin, Chemistry
John Tearle, Physics - June 2009
1939
Harold Dibben, Chemistry - 1 November 2015
Frank Chettle, Mathematics - 1 December 2010
During the war, Frank was a meteorological officer in the RAF and then became a maths teacher. He was a headteacher at Tapton House in Chesterfield, Derbyshire from 1959 until 1965 when he became headteacher at the County High School in Redditch, Worcestershire until retirement. After retirement, he had various part time jobs all linked to education.Obituary kindly supplied by Frank's daughter, Helen.
William Gregory, Chemistry - 2010
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1920– 1929
1929
Samual Rutherford, Geography
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Staff and friends of the University
Dr Stewart Adams OBE, Pharmacy - 30 January 2019
For a full obituary, please seeSchool of Pharmacy
Robert Alvey, Archaeology - 2018
Professor David Baguley, Hearing Sciences - 2022
Professor Barry Azzopardi, Chemical Engineering - 22 May 2017
Professor Nicholas Besley, Theoretical Chemistry - 27 June 2021
Emeritus Professor Martin Binks, Entrepreneurial Development - 13 January 2022
Dr Erica Brasil, Portugese - 2022
Professor Ronald (Ron) Carter, English - 12 September 2018
For a full obituary please see theSchool of English
Dr James (Jim) Charles, Archaeometallurgy - 13 November 2017
For a full obituary please see news item viaSt John's, Cambridge
Professor John Cole, Geography - 1 April 2020
John Peter Cole, Emeritus Professor of Human and Regional Geography at the University of Nottingham, passed away on 1 April at the family home in Bramcote Hills, Nottingham at the age of 91. He was born in Sydney, Australia on 9 December 1928 and spent his early years there and in the south of France before his parents returned to live in Orpington, Kent. He attended Bromley Grammar School before obtaining a scholarship to the University of Nottingham to study Geography with Spanish, obtaining a BA and an MA. Following a year at the University of Pavia in Italy on a British Council scholarship, he returned to the University of Nottingham in 1951 as a demonstrator in the Department of Geography and then carried out his National Service in the Royal Navy, training as a Russian language interpreter and retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1954. After a year working in Peru at the National Office for Planning and Urban affairs he lectured at the University of Reading for one year before resuming his academic career at Nottingham, where he obtained his PhD and was also awarded a D.Litt (Doctor of Letters) in 1990 in recognition of his extensive range of publications. He taught until his retirement in 1994. Professor Cole’s academic work and research reflected his language skills and his passion for travel. In 1952 he married Isabel Urrunaga, from Peru, and developed a strong interest in Latin American geography, although he also specialised in the geography of the Soviet Union through his advanced knowledge of Russian. He was also extremely active in quantitative methods in geography and was largely responsible for the introduction of computing into the subject. During later years he focused more on global development issues and the European Union. His publications include the best-selling Geography of World Affairs (1959-1983), Geography of the USSR (1961 with F. C. German), Italy (1964), Latin America (1965 and 1975) and Quantitative Geography (1968 with C. A. M.. King). He also published school textbooks, New Ways in Geography (1963 to 1982 with N. J. Beynon), Peru 1940-2000: Performance and Prospects (1978 with P. M.. Mather), as well as the Development Gap (1981) and the Geography of the European Union (1993 and 1997 with F. J. Cole). He worked abroad as a visiting lecturer at the Universities of Washington, Columbia, Mexico, Valparaiso, Nanjing and Beijing. Following his retirement he continued to write and to travel extensively with his wife Isabel. He was an accomplished artist, with many pen and ink drawings and oil paintings of places he visited, a dedicated father to his two sons Francis and Richard, and a doting grandfather to his eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Following the death of Isabel he married Karen de Bres who was his faithful companion in Nottingham until he passed away peacefully at home.Obituary kindly supplied by John's son, Francis
Professor Robert (Bob) Cundall, Physical Chemistry - 2020
For a full obituary, please seeThe Guardian
The Rt Hon Baroness Brenda Dean, Council Member / Honorary Graduate - 13 March 2018
For a full obituary please seeUniversity press release, March 2018
R D S Fielden, Adult Education - 8 December 2017
Dr Brian Elliot, Geology - 22 April 2017
Professor Yang Fujia - 17 July 2022
For a full obituary, please see University press release
Professor Richard (Dick) Geary, Modern History - 21 February 2021
For a full obituary, please seeUniversity press release
Dr Raymond (Ray) Grout, Pharmacy - 3 August 2017
For a full obituary please see theSchool of Pharmacy
Professor John (Tim) Hawthorne, Medicine - 17 July 2019
Professor Wilfred (Wilf) B Heginbotham, Production Engineering - October 2017
Wilfred Heginbotham entered academic life after serving an apprenticeship as a pattern maker. He never lost the practical approach to problems which his apprenticeship had given him. Before applying for the post at The University of Nottingham he won a scholarship to study at UMIST (now part of the University of Manchester) where he obtained a BSc, an MSc and a PhD. His future wife, Marjorie, typed his PhD thesis and he insisted on completing the PhD before they married. The thesis, on metal-cutting, was very short, about 40 pages, by later standards and was a model of conciseness. The new department at Nottingham and its undergraduate degree course required a new combination of subjects to be studied and that combination was put together by him, not without some opposition from others who thought that the course should only have technological content. The result was that the degree course also included industrial relations, business economics, accountancy, organization analysis and design, investment studies, and operational research. Although, at that time, there were post graduate courses in production engineering, the undergraduate course at Nottingham was the first in the UK. Later this was recognised by the department adopting the new name, Manufacturing Engineering and Operations Management, so allowing the operations management discipline to develop into fabrics, pharmaceuticals, tobacco and other non-engineering products, where the manufacture did not necessarily involve engineering products but involved the engineering management of manufacture. Wilfred Heginbotham later diversified his research interests away from metal manufacture to automatic assembly and robotics, heading up a research, development and applications unit, which produced both hardware and published papers of internationally recognised standard. His total research output, earned him a DSc awarded by the University of Nottingham. He took an active interest in flying and model aircraft and he held a private pilot’s licence. Although unable to join the RAF, because his eyesight was not good enough, he had an ongoing, social relationship with the East Midlands Air Squadron until a few months before his death. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, daughters Janet and Judith and six grandchildren.Obituary kindly supplied by Dr Phillip Willey
Professor Nicholas (Nick) Hewitt, French - 1 March 2019
For a full obituary please seeCLAS Faculty News
Keith Hutcheon, Mechanical Engineering - 16 February 2018
My father, Keith Finer Hutcheon, died on 16 February 2018 at the age of 89 following his admission to hospital with pneumonia. He was a member of staff in the Mechanical Engineering Department for some time during the period 1980 to 1989. During his time in the department he assisted in lectures and carried out research which was supervised by Professor M J Owen and Dr. V Middleton. He also received a Master of Philosophy on 16 September 1989.Obituary kindly supplied by Keith's son, Paul.
Professor Christopher Johnson, French and Francophone Studies - 11 December 2019
For a full obituary please seeThe Guardian
Ian Longson, Engineering - 10 September 2018
Dr Lorna Magowan, Medical and Surgical Sciences - 2022
Lorna Magowan served the University with great dedication for 33 years. Her experience of gaining a PhD (in 2001) under the supervision of Prof Sir John Savill, and working in his laboratory gave her personal insight into laboratory-based research, which equipped her to provide excellent support to research groups when she subsequently moved into an APM role. She worked in various APM roles in multiple different research groups, was Operations Manager for the Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine and Senior Operations Manager for the Academic Unit for Translational Medical Sciences. Lorna was a perfectionist by nature and set herself extremely high standards. She brought scientific rigor to bear on every task that she undertook and paid meticulous attention to detail. She developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of all processes in the School and could be relied on to know how to manage even the most difficult problems. She was extremely hard working and always willing to go the extra mile for the benefit of colleagues and the School. Nevertheless, it is for the care and support she generously gave her colleagues that most people will remember Lorna. She worked in a large number of research groups and was known and loved by many in the School and beyond. Her first concern was always for the welfare of the people she worked with. This was particularly evident during the past few years, dominated by the pandemic and a major restructure. Throughout this time, she took great care to ensure that people felt supported and valued. Outside of work Lorna was a dedicated mother to her three grown-up sons and also a talented athlete. A lifelong swimmer, she latterly extended her skills to triathlon completing the Nottingham Outlaw Triathlon in an amazing time of 13 hours 16 minutes. In her passing, we have lost an outstanding and a much-loved member of our team and we want to honour her memory to reflect this. Lorna was a worthy and popular recipient of the inaugural School of Medicine award for Service Excellence in an APM role in 2021. In memory of her dedication and outstanding service, the School of Medicine Executive Committee has therefore decided to name this award after Lorna in perpetuity. A book of condolence is available for colleagues to record their tributes. This is currently with Linda Allsop in B99, Medical School, but will be available at other School locations over the next month. If colleagues would prefer to email their tributes, please send them to Linda Allsop (linda.allsop@nottingham.ac.uk) and these will be printed out and included in the condolence book.
Professor Brian Lee, Cultures Languages and Area Studies - 8 February 2017
For a full obituary please seeUniversity press release
Professor Sir Peter Mansfield FRS, Physics / Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre - 8 February 2017
For a full obituary please seeUniversity press release, February 2017
Dr Frank Molyneux, Geography - 4 August 2017
Dr John Molyneux - 21 October 2021
From Liverpool Collegiate School John Molyneux won an open scholarship to read Classics at Christ’s College, Cambridge (1951-4). He graduated with a double first and won the Chancellor’s Medal for Greek verse composition. His skill in Greek verse never deserted him; in retirement he could describe on a postcard in elegant classical verse a train trip in Greece. After National Service John took up a post at the University of Sheffield in 1957 and, after a year as Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Victoria, Canada, he eventually became Head of the Classical Studies Department, before moving on in 1987 to the University of Nottingham, from which he retired in 1996. As a staff candidate at Sheffield John wrote a doctoral dissertation on the historical background of the works of the poet Simonides. This work, later adapted and published as a monograph (Simonides, a historical study 1992), was John’s major contribution to classical scholarship. He also published a series of articles on Greek and Latin literature. John, fluent in modern Greek, took as much pleasure in modern Greek life and culture as in Classics. At Sheffield he supervised the Ph.D. of Stelios Hadjistyllis, and the two became firm friends, which led to a joint publication, A Companion for Students of Modern Greek (2006). John’s wife Carole died on 9th December 2021. John and Carole are survived by their sons Neil and Howard and their families. Obituary written by Emeritus Professor James Roy, Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Nottingham, and kindly supplied by Jonh's son Neil Molyneux.
Professor Richard H Osborne, Geography - 22 July 2018
Dr George Parfitt, English - 17 August 2018
For a full obituary please see theSchool of English
Professor Robert Pascall, Music - 9 June 2018
For a full obituary please seeThe Guardian
Thomas F Roylance, Mechanical Engineering – 28 July 2017
Professor Frederick "Fred" Sheard, Physics - 17 March 2018
Frederick William Sheard, who died on 17th March 2018, was a theoretical physicist who did distinguished work on the electronic and thermal properties of solids at the University of Nottingham. He was highly regarded as a dedicated lecturer and tutor whose meticulous approach and dry humour were greatly appreciated by undergraduate and postgraduate students. Known universally as “Fred”, he was born on 17th June 1935 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was educated at Heaton Grammar School, Newcastle and then at the University of Durham’s Newcastle campus (now the University of Newcastle), taking a first in Physics in 1956. This was followed by postgraduate studies under the supervision of John Ziman at the University of Cambridge, where he gained his PhD in 1960 for work on the lattice conductivity of solids. He was a member of St John’s College, Cambridge, for which he had great affection. He was appointed Assistant Lecturer in Physics at Nottingham in 1960 and, in the following year, was given sabbatical leave to do research with Charles Kittel at the University of California, Berkeley, returning to Nottingham and promotion to Lecturer. In later years he took sabbaticals in the laboratories of the Centre Nationale de Recherche Scientifique Grenoble (1970) and at the National Standards Laboratory, Sydney (1972-73). He became Senior Lecturer (1972), Reader (1979), and Professor (1995). The research during the first half of his career investigated the transport of heat in solids and at the interface between liquid helium and solids (the Kapitza resistance problem). In the mid-1980s, his research took a new direction when the Condensed Matter Physics group at Nottingham initiated a major new research project, funded by the UK Science and Engineering Research Council, to investigate the electronic and phononic properties of multilayer semiconductor materials grown in-house by a state-of-the-art Molecular Beam Epitaxial system. Fred’s inspiring theoretical work played a major role in the success of this project, which gained an international reputation through a series of highly-cited publications. Of particular note were Fred’s contributions to the quantum Hall effect, electron resonant tunnelling, the dynamics of electrons in semiconductor superlattices and the interaction of electrons with phonons, which are the quanta of the atomic vibrations of the crystalline lattice. He was also fascinated by, and contributed to, work done at Nottingham on the chaotic dynamics of electron motion at the classical-quantum interface. Fred, who greatly enjoyed travelling, gave many invited and contributed talks at international research conferences. He retired in 2000 and, as Emeritus Professor, visited the School of Physics and Astronomy regularly for discussions with colleagues. As a young man, Fred eschewed traditional sports such as cricket and soccer, but was a dedicated cyclist and toured widely in the UK and Western Europe. At Cambridge, he also took up ballroom dancing, where he met his wife Doreen, whom he married in 1960. Fred died at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham following a year-long illness, borne with patience and courage. His memorial service was held at St Michael’s Church, Bramcote; he was buried at Beeston Cemetery. He is survived by Doreen and their three children, Hayley, Melda and Adrian.
Obituary kindly supplied by Professor Lawrence Eaves CBE FRS
Emeritus Professor Hinrich Siefken, German - 30 June 2021
Born in Cologne in 1939, Hinrich grew up in Leverkusen. He studied German at Tubingen University where in 1964 he gained a D.Phil for his work on the Middle High German Epic "Kudrun". In 1967 Hinrich joined St David's College Lampeter first as Lecturer, later becoming Senior Lecturer. In 1979 he was offered the Chair of German at Nottingham University where he published widely in the field of Modern Literature. Over 18 years he also served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and spent two years running the Institute of German, Austrian and Swiss affairs. An internationally recognised specialist in the field of Die Weisse Rose (students who gave their life resisting National Socialism) he was awarded an Honorary DLitt by the university for his work on Theodore Haecker. He retired in 1997. Obituary kindly supplied by Hinrich's son Kris Siefken.
Dr Richard Stevens, History - 11 October 2019
please see 1995 for obituary notice
Professor Sir Peter Swinnterton-Dyer, Honorary Graduate - 26 December 2018
For a full obituary, please see notices published byThe Times, orTrinity College, Cambridge
Dr Stephen Wallwork, Chemistry - 22 February 2019
Distinguished Chemist, Historian of the Nottinghamshire community of Beeston, and respected member of staff at Nottingham University since 1949, has died aged 93 years. Stephen Wallwork was born in Ashton-under-Lyne in 1925, to a bank inspector father who instilled the importance of hard work, and a mother who brought him up to be apprehensive and to expect not to succeed. He described himself as “not very bright” but nevertheless gained entrance to Manchester Grammar School. Although he enjoyed science, teaching his younger sister his scientific learning under the kitchen table during wartime air-raids, he initially specialised in languages, winning school prizes for French and German. It was not until the sixth form that he moved to the sciences, when he had to cover four years’ work in two years. Despite this, in 1943 he gained a scholarship in chemistry to Brasenose College, Oxford. The Second World War was underway whilst Stephen was at Oxford, but he was not conscripted as the study of science was a ’reserved occupation’. He did though take part in weekly training as part of the college’s fire-fighting team and was on duty whenever a siren sounded. From his fourth year at Oxford, Stephen chose crystallography as his research topic which set the direction of the next 40 years of his career. He worked alongside Dorothy Hodgkin, who became the first female (and to date only) Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, and her tutee Margaret Roberts who went on to be the first British woman Prime Minister. After graduating with a first degree and a DPhil, Stephen moved to Nottingham University where he joined the Department of Chemistry in 1949. He began as Assistant Lecturer and later went on to become Senior Lecturer and then Reader, with a year as Acting Head of the Physical Chemistry Department. There being no X-Ray Crystallography research at Nottingham University, Stephen set up the X-Ray Crystallography department, starting with a budget of £1000, in a 3m2lab which also served as his office. In the late 1940s, without computers, solving a crystal structure was a labour of love, often taking many months to obtain just a single result. Stephen’s determination of the Alpha-Quinol structure, which he began in Oxford in 1946 under the supervision of ‘Tiny’ Powell, was successfully completed, through patience, perseverance and meticulously accurate calculations, in 1978. Stephen was one of the first supporters of computers, sitting on the working party that introduced computer facilities to the university in the 1960s. When one was finally installed during his time at Nottingham, it took up the whole of a large room and had the storage capacity of a tiny fraction of a mobile phone today. Yet it vastly sped up the process of determining crystal structures. During his time at Nottingham, Stephen published nearly 100 papers on his crystallographic research and in 1956 a book ‘Physical Chemistry for Students of Pharmacy and Biology’. This was translated into Spanish and Japanese, with 2nd and 3rd editions published in 1960 and 1977. Ever keen to support colleagues and young researchers in the development of their careers, Stephen wrote the book as no publication at the time presented physical chemistry in a sufficiently understandable way for non-physical scientists. Not only was Stephen an outstanding crystallographer but he also cared deeply about the growing crystallographic community at both national and European level. Stephen became secretary of the Crystallographic Group of the Institute of Physics, and the Chemical Crystallography Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He also played a pivotal role in setting up the British Crystallographic Association in 1982, from two committees he had helped form, the European Crystallography Committee (1970) and the United Kingdom Crystallographic Committee (1969). His crystallographic career (both paid and voluntary) spanned five decades and his contribution to the development of modern crystallography has been enormous. Structures from crystallographers like Stephen have underpinned much of the cutting-edge chemistry that has been carried out over the past 60 years, including the identification of the structure of DNA. In 1983, having taken early retirement, Stephen enrolled on a new post-graduate course in Local and Regional History. Bringing his scientific mind-set and his talent for painstaking research, his dissertation involved a careful reconstruction of the sixteenth century outbreak of plague in Beeston. He graduated in 1985, aged 60, with his second Master’s degree. This despite struggling to obtain a pass in the subject at school and having his first university assignment returned, with the request to rewrite it as a history essay rather than a scientific paper! Stephen brought to local history his scientific mind-set and his considerable talent for painstaking research. His M.A. dissertation involved a careful reconstruction of the late sixteenth century outbreak of plague in Beeston. Demographic analysis of this type was still quite new – as indeed were computers – in historical research in the mid-1980s. Between 1985 and 1990, Stephen worked as Statistical Assistant in the Department of History at Nottingham University. The post involved research, helping colleagues with numerical work and teaching mathematical statistics to history students. After his second retirement aged 65 years, this time from the history department, he continued to help voluntarily with numerical history for several years. Having become very knowledgeable on every aspect of the local history of Beeston, Stephen was one of the authors of the two historical trails published by the Beeston Civic Society. He continued to research and write up the local history of Beeston in retirement and became involved in the Blue Plaques scheme in the area, helping to award several plaques for places of historical interest and compiling a leaflet with information on them all. He was also much in demand as a popular lecturer on the history of Beeston, taught a WEA class on that subject and led the research efforts when that class became a research group. Stephen’s love of walking and cycling was hindered by his peripheral neuropathy, which he put down to exposure to hazardous chemicals in his early career. With the decrease in physical activities, he took up watercolour painting in his 50s. He continued to paint and pursue research (particularly local history), publishing his last historical article in late 2018 and producing his last painting for his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Marion, just days before he died. Stephen had a thirst for new, intellectual and technological experiences, a breadth of interests, a desire to extend his skills and to be as helpful as possible to others, and an interest in problem-solving. He is survived by his wife, their four children and six grandchildren. Obituary kindly supplied by Stephen’s daughter, Elizabeth
Professor Malcolm Woodbine - Agricultural Microbiology
Professor Mike Wright, Financial Studies - 2019
Please see obituary published byThe Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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