It is with sadness that we announce the death of Dr John Bowcott, one of the founding members of the University and a former Director of Studies in Chemical Engineering.
John Edward Llewellyn Bowcott was born at Stanford-le-Hope in 1924, and following service with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy, he took degrees at Reading and Cambridge, to be followed by periods working in industry as a chemical engineer. John joined the Bristol College of Science and Technology in 1962 transferring to Bath when the University was first established.
Perceiving a need for chemical engineering to be taught at Bath, John first set up a Process Chemistry option within the University’s chemistry degree programme and from 1968 onwards he guided the development of the BSc degree programme in Chemical Engineering in the then joint School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. John maintained his research interests in applied chemistry and biotechnology whilst he remained as Director of Undergraduate Studies in Chemical Engineering.
He took early retirement in 1985 to enjoy his passions of sailing and water colour painting. John Bowcott will be remembered as a kind, self-effacing colleague and mentor who displayed a keen sense of humour alongside his efficient and highly professional contributions to the initiation and development of the discipline of chemical engineering at Bath.
John Bowcott died, aged 94, close to his family in London on 16 February 2019, his funeral service being held at the Nazareth House Chapel in Hammersmith. Donations in John’s memory may be made to Diabetes UK.