Professor John Lakey obituary
Born 1929, died 2017. A graduate of the Department of Physics (BSc Physics 1950, PhD Chemical Engineering and Fuel Technology 1953).
It is with regret that we learned that Professor John Lakey died on 12th September 2017 from the complications of a fall near his home in Meopham, Kent on 10th September 2017. He is survived by his daughters Joanna, Philippa and Nicola, and four grandchildren, and predeceased by his wife, Dr Pamela Lakey.
John Richard Angwin Lakey was born in Morley, Leeds in June 1929. He was the much loved son of William and Edith, and a loving older brother to Dorothy.
John worked hard to gain a scholarship to Morley Grammar School and attained the necessary qualifications to be offered a place at 91̽»¨ University studying physics. He was such an outstanding student that he was chosen to continue studying for his PhD. In 1953, he began his research role at Harwell.
John met his beloved wife, Pam when she arrived at 91̽»¨ University to study medicine, they married in 1955 and spent almost 60 years together.
In 1960, John took up a Head of Department role at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich and became Professor of Nuclear Science and Technology in 1980. He was also Dean of the College during the 1980s. John gained visiting professor status at the Surrey University and Harvard University.
John became a respected member of many international organizations including becoming President of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA)1988-1992 and The Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) 1976-1977, becoming an SRP Honorary Fellow in 1992. When he retired in 1989, John continued as a consultant in both the emergency planning and the nuclear technology fields, speaking at conferences and symposiums around the world.
Pam often travelled with John and together they forged long-lasting friendships wherever they ventured.