Academic and Scout leader; Born April 21, 1933; Died May 28, 2007. Professor Roy Sinclair was born into a large family in Thornliebank, Glasgow, when times were hard. After attending Carnwadric Primary School, he gained a scholarship to Allan Glen's School where his ability soon showed through.
But, as with many at that time, the first priority was to find a job, and in 1950 Roy joined the research laboratory of J & P Coats in Paisley as a research assistant, cycling daily there and back from Thornliebank.
He had a keen scientific mind and, while working at Coats during the next six years, embarked on part-time study at the then Paisley Technical College for the London University external BSc degree as well as gaining the Associateship of the Society of Dyers and Colourists.
And it was here, in the Coats laboratory, that he met Ellen Murray, whom he married in 1958 and with whom he was to share the next 49 years.
Roy's qualities were early recognised when in 1956 he was invited to join the staff of the chemistry department at Paisley Technical College before he had completed his BSc.
With a foot on the academic ladder, Roy set out to climb it, completing first his BSc and later being awarded MSc and PhD degrees from London and Strathclyde universities respectively as the college's identity changed over the years to central institution and then to university.
During his 40 years as a member of staff, Roy contributed hugely to academic life in Paisley by his teaching, research - he was the author or co-author of more than 70 papers on photochemistry and colour science - and administrative skills, these contributions being recognised by the award of a personal chair in chemistry in 1990.
Up to and after his retirement in 1996 he chaired the committee organising the university's centenary celebrations, and in recognition of this and his other services, he was awarded a Fellowship of the university two years later.
The interests of his young students were always close to Roy's heart and he never allowed these interests to be compromised, but his concern for the well-being of the young was not restricted to his academic life.
From the time he joined the Cubs at the age of nine, Roy Sinclair gave to the Scouting movement a selfless and distinguished service for the rest of his life.
His leadership saw him progress from group Scout leader at St George's East Church in Paisley to becoming the first District Commissioner for the town of Paisley, to Assistant Commissioner for Renfrew and Inverclyde and then finally in 1991 to Assistant Chief Commissioner for Scotland Southwest.
Roy was a modest man and never one to seek recognition for what he took as a duty, but it came anyway and for his services to Scouting over the years he received a Medal of Merit, a Silver Acorn and in 1991 a Silver Wolf, the highest accolade in the Scouting movement and the gift of the Chief Scout himself.
Deteriorating health during the last year did not prevent him, now as honorary president of Paisley Scouts, making a significant contribution to the preparation of events to mark the centenary of the Scout movement.
Time was somehow found for other public duties, too, and Roy served as president of both the Bohemian Club and the Philosophical Institution in Paisley.
He was also a long-standing and active supporter of the Accord Hospice in the town.
A committed Christian, he served as an elder in St Georges's East and Lylesland churches in Paisley, carrying the qualities of integrity, honesty and loyalty with him into his everyday life.
A large man in every sense, but a gentle one who liked nothing better than walking the hills in the countryside he loved, he weighed his public duties lightly.
Roy Sinclair made a huge contribution to the life of Paisley, town and gown, and will be greatly missed by many.
But by none more than his wife Ellen, sons Stuart and Andrew and their families, and his brother and sisters. David Duff
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article