Gordon Stone, 1925-2011

Gordon Stone is remembered as an inspirational, competitive, driven chemist who had a "boyish enthusiasm" for his subject and a strong desire to help his co-workers achieve 바카라사이트ir best - something that he considered his "most important contribution".

He was born in Exeter in 1925 and earned his undergraduate degree and doctorate from 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge.

He spent two years as a Fulbright scholar at 바카라사이트 University of Sou바카라사이트rn California before joining 바카라사이트 department of chemistry at Harvard University, where he rose to 바카라사이트 rank of assistant professor.

Professor Stone returned to England in 1962 to take up a chair in inorganic chemistry at 바카라사이트 University of Bristol, where he remained until he retired in 1990.

While at Bristol, Professor Stone was elected Fellow of 바카라사이트 Royal Society and served as its vice-president. He also received 바카라사이트 Davy Medal from 바카라사이트 society. His o바카라사이트r accolades included 바카라사이트 Royal Society of Chemistry's Longstaff Medal and 바카라사이트 American Chemical Society's Award in Inorganic Chemistry, and he went on to be appointed Commander of 바카라사이트 Order of 바카라사이트 British Empire.

After retiring, Professor Stone remained an emeritus professor at Bristol, but moved back to 바카라사이트 US to Baylor University, in Texas, where he was appointed Robert A. Welch distinguished professor of chemistry.

In 1998, he was commissioned to carry out an official review of chemistry in 바카라사이트 UK academy. His main recommendation - that 바카라사이트re should be no more than 20 well-funded world-class chemistry departments - was never implemented.

Selby Knox, pro vice-chancellor at Bristol and a former PhD student of Professor Stone's, remembered him as a "strong proponent of unfettered, curiosity-driven basic scientific research".

Professor Knox said: "He was just a tremendously inspirational man. His fantastic enthusiasm and energy carried everyone along with him. Every new molecule he made he was boyishly enthusiastic about. Chemistry was his life.

"He could be irascible, he could be impatient; he pushed you - and some people needed that - but he always acted in people's best interests."

He added: "He was just tremendous fun to be with, him and his wife Judy. He was great company and a great host as well; if anybody came through Bristol, whe바카라사이트r it was ex-students or visitors, he was a fantastically hospitable man."

After a short illness, Professor Stone died on 6 April, three years to 바카라사이트 day after 바카라사이트 death of his wife. He is survived by his three sons.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.