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1921 - 2017

An Obituary for the late Dr. Herbert W. Douglas written by his son Rev. Michael W. Douglas

Herbert Douglas, known to his friends as Mick, was born in Baldwin on the Isle of Man in 1921, and raised by his grandparents in Douglas from the age of 12. A bright boy he was 'expressed' at school taking his matriculation aged 15 and his higher matriculation aged 17 at Douglas High School for Boys. As an undergraduate he read Chemistry at Liverpool University and graduated aged 20 with the highest 1st class honours degree in his year - and was awarded the Nicholas Leblanc medal. 

 A member of the staff of the department of Inorganic, Physical & Industrial Chemistry had died at start of the war and dad was appointed an assistant lecturer at the age of just 20. Being in a reserved occupation he was not called up but instead served as the Gas protection officer for Liverpool for the duration of the war. He worked in the same department for 38 years as assistant lecturer, lecturer, senior lecturer and Director of Combined Studies in Life Sciences, an administrative role he combined with his teaching and research. He was present at the opening of the Donan laboratories by Prince Philip, his contemporary, with whom he had a conversation.

 Over the years he was awarded an MSc on studies in Electrophoresis in Oct. 1944, a doctorate - PhD largely on Electrokinetic potential in 1949 and a further doctorate - DSc for a collection of papers on Electrokinetic studies submitted in Nov 1958. He was awarded his DSc at the Philharmonic in Liverpool in 1959 and I, aged 8, my sister and mother were so proud of his achievement - at the time he was the youngest person to receive a DSc at Liverpool University. 

 As well as his academic qualifications he was proud of his professional qualifications. For as long as I can remember work relater mail would include GRIC and FRIC (Graduate and fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry respectively) after his name. Subsequently when it became the UUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ of Chemistry these became CC (Chartered Chemist) and FUUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ (fellow of the UUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ of Chemistry). He was prolific in his publication of papers in academic journals -as became apparent by a search of UUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ of Chemistry's publications website. Latterly he had a framed certificate congratulating him on 70 years of membership - that was in 2013, so in total he was a member for 74 years - quite some achievement! He remained interested in the work of the society in retirement and always read the Chemistry World magazine of the UUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ he received each month.  

 As to his teaching ability, I can bear witness to that. As an undergraduate on a scholarship at Birmingham University I was required to take the same thermodynamics course as my Chemistry contemporaries, and it went straight over my head! Dad sat down with me in the dining room at home and went through it with me over a vacation and it became completely clear - so I went on to achieve a good result in the examination.

 During the summer vacations he also spent several weeks each year in Salisbury where he was a consultant  to the Government at Porton Down in the field of Colloid science. He was offered a number of chairs at universities abroad - Nova Scotia and Tasmania come to mind, but turned down these opportunities on the basis of the quality of education that was available for my sister and me. For a number of years he had an office in Science faculty offices as Director of Studies in Life Sciences which was then a modular scheme, working with the then Dean, Professor Bamford.

He took early retirement aged 58 in 1979 and went on to enjoy a further 38 years in retirement. Initially he and his wife Irene returned to the Isle of Man for 8years, and then they moved down to Devon to Down Thomas to be close to their daughter for 6 years. From there they moved a short distance across the Tamar into Cornwall to Cargreen near Saltash in 1994, but sadly his wife of over 50 years, Irene, passed away 2 years later. He met a new companion, Dorothy who became his partner and in their 80's they spent several years living most of the year in Lania, in the foothills of the Trudos mountains in Cyprus. When they returned Dorothy became unwell and moved into a care home. 

Dad himself was in hospital for several weeks and I came down from the Wirral to look after him and stayed for 5 ½ years as his carer. We became as close as when I was a boy, but this time I looked after him. With Sam, our dog, we were a family unit with frequent visits by his daughter Linda. Shortly before he died dad said he had had a good life and had tried to be a good scientist and a good father, and in my estimation succeeded at both, but then as his son I am biased! He passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of 8th April this year.  Dad, may you rest in peace, rise in glory and may perpetual light shine on you.

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