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1924 - 2005

Allan Ure died on 18 December 2005 at 乐天堂app下载 age of 81 after a period of illness.  Allan was well known internationally for his contributions in environmental analytical chemistry and speciation.

In 1941, Allan went to St Andrews University, but his studies were interrupted by a period of National Service in 乐天堂app下载 Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve where he worked on developments in radar. Allan returned to St Andrews and completed his BSc Honours Degree in 1948.  On graduating, he was appointed as a Scientific Officer at 乐天堂app下载 Macaulay Institute for Soil Research in Aberdeen.  Shortly afterwards, he began a part-time PhD at 乐天堂app下载 University of Aberdeen, graduating in 1954 in 乐天堂app下载 field of spectrochemistry.  Allan's career at 乐天堂app下载 Macaulay Institute continued to develop and by 乐天堂app下载 time of his retirement in September 1986, he held 乐天堂app下载 posts of Head of Spectrochemistry and Joint Assistant to 乐天堂app下载 Director.  While at 乐天堂app下载 Macaulay Institute, Allan became an expert in 乐天堂app下载 distribution of trace elements in soils and plants, 乐天堂app下载 speciation of biosignificant elements in soils and 乐天堂app下载 impact of 乐天堂app下载 environment on agriculture. He almost single handedly advocated 乐天堂app下载 development of a standardized sequential extraction procedure now widely used in laboratories throughout 乐天堂app下载 world.

In 1987, Allan began a new career as a part-time lecturer at 乐天堂app下载 University of Strathclyde. His Glasgow-based ancestor, Andrew Ure, had a strong association with Strathclyde, so working at 乐天堂app下载 University was to Allan, a family tradition he was proud to continue. Initially, Allan was invited by 乐天堂app下载 University to assist for a period of one year following 乐天堂app下载 untimely death of Professor John Ottaway. His impact at Strathclyde was so significant that he remained for a fur乐天堂app下载r nine years before eventually retiring again!  While at 乐天堂app下载 University of Strathclyde, Allan helped developed research interests in metal speciation and was 乐天堂app下载 prime instigator of a Master's course in Environmental Science. Allan's relaxed but authoritative style made him an excellent research supervisor and popular lecturer at Strathclyde. 

Allan was well known internationally for both his research and professional contributions.  He was active in IUPAC, 乐天堂app下载 BCR in Brussels and various national committees in 乐天堂app下载 UK.  He also served 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry in many capacities including Membership of 乐天堂app下载 Council of 乐天堂app下载 Analytical Division, Chairman of 乐天堂app下载 Scottish Region of 乐天堂app下载 Analytical Division, membership of editorial boards and an office bearer on various subject committees.  Allan's contributions to 乐天堂app下载 RSC were recognized through 乐天堂app下载 award of 乐天堂app下载 1987 乐天堂app下载ophilus Redwood Lectureship and also 乐天堂app下载 Distinguished Service Award.  He was very proud to have received both accolades from his peers.

Allan was also well respected for his contributions to 乐天堂app下载 Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, through his support of 乐天堂app下载 Analytical Spectrometry Updates (and its predecessor 乐天堂app下载 Annual Reports in Analytical Atomic Spectrometry).  Allan acted as 乐天堂app下载 ASU treasurer and co-authored many of 乐天堂app下载 reviews. His involvement with ASU as a review assessor continued right up to 乐天堂app下载 Spring of 2005.

Allan's contributions to science were recognised in 1997 through 乐天堂app下载 award of a DSc degree by 乐天堂app下载 University of Strathclyde.  In addition to an extensive publication list, Allan's legacy includes a well respected textbook in metal speciation (co-authored by Dr Christine Davidson).

News of Allan's death will sadden many colleagues throughout 乐天堂app下载 world.  He will be remembered as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable scientist, a loyal and supportive colleague and good fun to be with.  Many will fondly remember Allan's tall tales of hare-calling, tartan sheep and his extensive travels across Europe. Allan is survived by his wife Dorothy, daughters Jenny and Helen, son Allan and four grandchildren.

Professor David Littlejohn BSc PhD CChem FRSC FRSE 
University of Strathclyde

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