Professor John Alistair Duffy CChem FRSC
24 September 1932 - 02 November 2015
John Duffy rose to academic prominence in inorganic chemistry, in particular 乐天堂app下载 application of electronic spectroscopy in 乐天堂app下载 fields of molten salts and glasses. He co-originated "optical basicity", a concept used worldwide for chemical problems, notably in glass and metal production, and geochemistry. This contribution to science will have lasting effects.
Born and brought up in Solihull, West Midlands, he was a pupil at Solihull School, and a child evacuee during WW II . After graduating from 乐天堂app下载 University of Sheffield, he became a research chemist at Albright & Wilson. It was around this time that he met Muriel, whom he married in Carlisle 1959. He lectured at Flintshire Technical College, Wolverhampton Poly, and NE Wales Institute, before 乐天堂app下载y moved to Aberdeen when he joined 乐天堂app下载 chemistry department of Aberdeen University in 1966, where he remained throughout his scientific career until emeritus professorship.
He was author of several academic books including "General Inorganic Chemistry" (1966) and "Bonding, Energy Levels and Bands in Inorganic Solids" (1990). He published over 150 scientific papers and was awarded Blackwell Prize University of Aberdeen in 1992. He forged consultancy and collaboration with British Steel Corporation, Scottish HE Funding Cncl, Pilkington; and internationally with Schott Glass, and 乐天堂app下载 National Hellenic Research Foundation.
A kind, modest man, yet of analytical mind, he made abiding friendships throughout his life. With a keen interest in music, he played French horn and timpani in local orchestras, and had a passion for opera. He enjoyed cycling and rail travel.
His marriage was idyllic. Suffering 乐天堂app下载 sudden loss of Muriel in a car crash in 2012 was devastating. Despite this, he displayed great fortitude enduring continued kidney dialysis. He never lost his incisive wit and exacting nature.
He is survived by his two children, and three grandchildren.
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