Obituaries 2000S
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OBITUARIES 61 OBITUARIES Dr Ron Snaith, 1947-2000 The whole of the chemistry community, as well as Ron' s many friends and colleagues in his other spheres of life, were deeply shocked and saddened by his sudden death on New Year's Day. Ron had been diagnosed with a serious illness some little while before Christmas, and was fighting it with his normal resolve, humour and true 'Yorkshire grit', when he collapsed at home and died in Addenbrookes Hospital a few hours later. Ron leaves his wife, Jane, and two children, Tom and Katie. Jane works in the Department of Genetics, in Cambridge. Tom is in his final year at the University of Durham, reading Chemistry, and Katie is in her second year at the University of Newcastle, Northumbria. The thoughts of all who knew Ron and his family are with them at this very sad time. Ron was born in Kingston-upon-Hull in August 1947, and was fiercely proud of his Yorkshire heritage. Ron studied Chemistry at the University of Durham between 1965-1971, graduating with a 1st Class Honours Degree in 1968, and then going on to read for a PhD, in Pure Science, under the supervision of Professor Ken Wade, FRS. His PhD was in the general area of Main Group Co-ordination Chemistry with particular reference to the investigation of the nature of covalent bonding between organo-nitrogen ligands and metals and semi-metals. Once his thesis was completed Ron then embarked on a career in school teaching. He took a PGCE in the Department of Education at Durham, and then taught at the Durham Johnston Comprehensive School between 1972 and 1979, where he soon became Head of Chemistry. During his teaching career he kept in close touch with Professor Wade and they published a number of research papers together. His interest in chemical research, coupled with encouragement from many of his friends, who had identified his outstanding flair and enthusiasm for the subject at an early stage of his career, was instrumental in his return to university teaching and research. In 1979 he took an appointment as Lecturer in Chemistry, at the University of Strathclyde, where he Dr Ran Snaith 62 OBITUARIES OBITUARIES 63 commenced his seminal work on the chemistry of organo-lithium also a feature of life in Comberton. Ron organised these for charity, and compounds. In 1986, Ron moved to a lectureship in the Department of in addition to the locals in the Grapevine, there was always an Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, and in 1998 he was appointed enthusiastic, although not always particularly knowledgeable, turn-out to a Readership in Main Group Chemistry. Throughout his career Ron by Ron's research group and colleagues. On a more serious note, in maintained a phenomenal work-rate and published a prodigious times of crisis or misfortune for any of their friends and colleagues, Ron number of research papers in top quality international journals. He had and Jane were always among the first to appear, dispensing comfort, a particular liking for Chem. Commun. and Angew. Chemie, and as his support, good humour and, on occasion, financial aid. They are both chemistry was novel, innovative and exciting his success rate with these owed a great debt of gratitude by the many that they have so selflessly journals was exceptional. Many of his contributions were written in supported over the years. 'Chem. Commun. Corner' of his favourite pub, the Grapevine in Of course, Ron's interests in chemistry and teaching were not restricted Comberton, with a pint in the other hand. As well as producing over 100 to the Department. Soon after he arrived in Cambridge, Ron was elected of these 'ground breaking' articles, Ron has produced a number of major to a Fellowship at St John's College (1989). Ron took to the new works that have influenced the way that the chemistry community opportunities that membership of the College provided with relish, and thinks about the organometallic chemistry of the Main Group elements. became a very active member of the Fellowship. He acted as Director of In particular, his article with Professor P. v. R. Schleyer on 'Patterns and Studies in Chemistry, teaching St John's undergraduates in all four Perspectives in Organolithium Chemistry' will remain as the foundation years of the degree course. His lectures and supervisions were for future developments in organolithium chemistry for the foreseeable inspirational, and many of his supervisees owe their good grades to future. While the importance of Ron's contribution to chemistry in Ron's encouragement and perseverance. Ron was also involved in the the UK, through his own work and that of his students, will perhaps pastoral side of College life, holding the posts of both Tutor and not be fully recognised for a number of years, in 1995 he was awarded Admissions Tutor with distinction during his time at St John's. Ron the Royal Society of Chemistry Prize for his 'Contributions to Main never forgot his 'Yorkshire roots', and his lightning wit and dry sense of Group Chemistry'. humour brightened many a long College meeting. Ron's enthusiasm for chemistry was infectious and, as a result, his ln his cv Ron lists his general interests as 'Sports, particularly cricket research groups in Strathclyde and Cambridge were amongst the most and rugby football (although no longer 'active'), poetry (from the productive in the Inorganic Sections. Over the years, a considerable Romantic to the 'Great War' poets), Egyptology, and wine, and above all number of his PhD students and post-doctoral workers associated with (according to other people, he says) he enjoyed talking'. This simple his group have gone on to high level academic and industrial positions statement reflects Ron's modesty and self-effacing nature. For example, in the UK and throughout Europe. Much of the flair, originality and he acquired his interest in Egyptology, while a student in Durham, from productivity that Ron's eo-workers have subsequently demonstrated Professor Thacker, who headed the Department of Oriental Studies. He stems directly from Ron's influence. Ron's group was very much a quickly became an expert in the subject, being involved in original family, and Ron and Jane were always there to lend support and research in the area. Had he wished he could have pursued an encouragement. Ron and Jane's parties, whether it be to celebrate Burns international career in the subject, but contented himself by giving a Night, or the New Year, or for any other reason that they could think of, series of invited lectures on 'Egyptian Mummies' to a variety of were a feature of the Cambridge scene. They were always very popular audiences. As with his chemistry, Ron lectured with authority and with colleagues, students and neighbours, and liquid enthusiasm, and did much to popularise the subject. While his flowed unabated until the 'wee small hours'. Ron's pub quizzes 64 OBITUARIES OBITUARIES 65 cricketing prowess is less well documented, he generally managed to Tom Hynes adds: find time to be in the vicinity of a test ground, during an international those who did not see him in action it is hard to convey a true match, on one or two days each summer. He usually returned, To of Ron Snaith's contribution to College. A simple list of his saddened by the state of English cricket, and muttering 'I could have rneasure rnajor roles- Director of Studies, Supervisor, Tutor, Admissions Tutor, taught these youngsters a thing or two!' We are all sure that he could. Cotmcil Member- impressive though it is, indicates nothing of the style As well as his outstanding intellectual ability, one of Ron's main or panache with which these tasks were accomplished. The sheer attributes was that he cared passionately for and about people. He professionalism, organisation and attention to detail he brought to these would always support the oppressed, the disadvantaged, the underdog, jobs was obvious to all and was a source of inspiration to those working and would work tirelessly to improve their condition with no thought with and for him. for himself. He applied these ideals to chemistry, to College, and to life in general. His straight talking and honesty were valued by all and he If Ron had problems, he hid them well, for the face we saw was quickly gained respect in all spheres of life. He was able to put across invariably one of friendliness and good humour. This, coupled with the his views with 'Yorkshire bluntness' but also with a wry grin and a consideration he always had for others, meant that most people found sense of humour. He perhaps thought that he did not 'suffer fools working with him extremely easy. Ron was considerate to an gladly but he was always ready to give the benefit of the doubt, and uncommon degree. It was typical of this aspect of his character that, never seemed disappointed when others failed to live up to the high after his spell as Admissions Tutor was over, he would still often drop standards that he set himself. Many of us are grateful for his tolerance in to the Admissions Office for a chat or to lend a hand. At frantic times and patience. Ron could display a wicked sense of humour, but he of the year, when things were looking grim, quite often there was Ron, always laughed with you, not at you. His gentle teasing was one of the unbidden, 'just happened to be passing', an instant raising of the spirits, many features that made being with Ron such a pleasure.