Emeritus professor of veterinary animal husbandry, University of Glasgow;
Born: April 6, 1925; Died: June 27, 2012.
Professor Gordon Hemingway, who has died aged 87, was an outstanding international scientist who for 30 years played a vital role at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine.
He first came to the university in 1953 when he joined the department of chemistry. In 1960 he moved to the veterinary school and from 1969 held the chair of veterinary animal husbandry until his retiral in 1990.
Following that time he became an honorary senior research fellow in the faculty and continued to be actively engaged in veterinary research and publication for many years, being recognised as an outstanding international scientist with links at the highest levels.
A former fellow of the Institute of Biologists and governor of the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive, his contributions to veterinary education and research included the publication of more than 250 papers in ruminant nutrition and the supervision of over 20 research students, many from developing countries, to whom he and his wife Dorothy were kind and generous hosts.
He was a senior author on several worldwide patents which included the well-known intraruminal devices for the sustained delivery of magnesium (Rumbul) to help prevent the metabolic disorder known as grass staggers, and trace elements (All-Trace) to provide a long-term supply for animals grazing in deficient areas.
His work on macro and trace element/vitamin supply and the beneficial effects on animal production and health was recognised in the award of an honorary associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2003.
He played a pivotal role in the early development of the research and teaching facilities at the university farm at Cochno, where he successfully gained a range of commercial sponsorships which enabled the building of nutrition laboratories and one of the first milking parlours in the area.
In retirement he kept a close eye on the progress of the expanding estate and the teaching and research activities of his colleagues.
Away from work, he was a past president of Clydebank Rotary Club and enjoyed golf where, in his term as greens convener of a local club, he had the unusual but successful idea of creating 18 holes from the existing nine by doubling the number of greens rather than the customary method of increasing the number of tees.
He also enjoyed walking in the countryside with friends near his home in Strathblane and travelling to see his family in both UK and the United States. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, daughters Jean and Judy, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
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