The School remembers Dr Ray Grout

Sadly our longest ever serving member of academic staff, Dr Ray Grout, passed away on 3rd August 2017 at the age of 85. Ray worked at the School as undergraduate, postgraduate and academic from 1950 until 2004. Many current and past staff remember Ray fondly for his kindness and willingness to support and mentor them in their careers.  Ray completed his PhD in the School on 'The Synthesis of cyclic guanidine derivatives of potential chemotherapeutic importance' in 1958 under the supervision of the then Dr Maurice Partridge, a future Head of Department (1967-1973) and Pro-Vice-Chancellor.  Ray joined the academic staff and was an active researcher in the area of medicinal heterocyclic chemistry for the majority of his career, supervising many PhD students including current members of staff.  Ray brought his passion for chemistry to many generations of our undergraduates in his teaching.  In his later career, he became Director of Studies, and then School Secretary.  He made a very significant contribution to student recruitment, particularly internationally, being a great advocate for the School and laying the foundations for the Pharmacy School in the Malaysia campus.  Ray was always very popular at Alumni events, where he presented amusing talks on the history of the School and enjoyed describing the international success of the School's research.  Ray gave huge support to a succession of Heads of School as a trusted advisor and confidant.  As in everything he did, Ray carried out these important roles calmly, with integrity and great charm.  He will be missed by his friends here at Nottingham and from around the world.