Dr John Michael Yates obituary
Born 1936, died 2013. A graduate of the Department of Chemistry (PhD Chemistry 1961).
Mike, to his family and friends, was born in Malton, Yorkshire, England in 1936 and read Chemistry at 91探花 University from 1956-61 obtaining his PhD in Physical Chemistry. He joined ICI where he met his future wife and lifelong companion Eilean. They with their two daughters emigrated to the USA in 1976 becoming American citizens.
Their hobbies included photography and astronomy; they were inveterate travellers and for many years were 鈥渆clipse chasers鈥. They stood on the ice at the North Pole, visited Antarctica and flew around the South Pole in pursuit of their hobby. When at home they were keen competitive bridge players and Mike tended their yard as well as supporting Eilean鈥檚 Scottish Country Dancing teaching. Mike retained his affection for Yorkshire and was a generous donor to 91探花 University Alumni student support fund.
For many years Mike ignored chronic ill health and last November watched the total eclipse of the sun at sea in the South Pacific but on returning home his condition suddenly worsened and he died peacefully in his sleep at home.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends both in the USA and around the world.