Trustees and staff were saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Patrick Dowling last week.

As Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey from 1994 to 2005, he also served as Chair of Trustees for the Daphne Jackson Trust from 1996 to 2003. Under his tenure, the Trust finessed the Fellowship model and began to grow its reputation and influence. As Chair, he took special pride that Professor Daphne Jackson enjoyed a long and illustrious career at Surrey and was appointed as the first female Professor of Physics in the UK by the University.

As a man with a forceful and vibrant personality, coupled with a natural gift for networking, Patrick made an immense contribution to engineering and STEM on the national and international stage. A Fellow of both the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, he also served as President of the Institution of Structural Engineers, Chairman of the Steel Construction Institute, Vice-President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Chairman of the Engineering Council, President of the Association for Science Education and Chairman of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey in 1999 and appointed a CBE in the New Year Honours List of 2001 “for his contribution to industry/university relations.”

Several members of the Trust’s staff worked directly with Patrick at various stages of their careers and retain strong and fond memories of him.

The sympathies of the Trust are with his beloved wife Grace and his family at this very sad time.