2025
Dr Richard Bassett, who held a Senior Research Associate position in the School of Computing and Communications at the University between 2017 and 2021, passed away in December 2025. He was a proud modeller and wanted others to have the opportunity to innovate and do great science in this space. On completing his position, Richard moved on to the University of Manchester where he applied his modelling skills to study rainfall in the Amazon.
Janet Cumpsty, formerly of the Facilities team, died on the 13th of November 2025. She was a long- standing and much-loved member of the Facilities team, working predominantly on Bowland Main C Floor, where she took great pride in supporting the students living in the accommodation. She retired from Lancaster University in July 2025 leaving behind a legacy of kindness, dedication and an unwavering commitment to enhancing her students’ experience.
Ian Marchant, former History and Philosophy and Creative Writing student, passed away on the 14th of November 2025. He was a writer, performer, teacher and broadcaster with a unique perspective on the lesser- known highways and byways of British life. As a writer, Ian found his voice in a hybrid style of nonfiction that combined memoir, travel writing, humour and considered social observation. His full obituary appears on The Guardian website.
Alan Beamish (MSc Chemistry, Fylde, 1973) died suddenly on the 11th of October 2025. He spent nearly seven years at Lancaster because he stayed on for a PhD, but somehow his thesis never did get written. After Lancaster Alan worked as a research chemist at Formica in Maidenhead. He then went into teaching where he became Head of Physics then Head of Science in a Reading Comprehensive. The last few years of his career were spent as a lecturer in Physics and Electronics at Henley College.
Rita Cardwell passed away on the 22nd of September 2025. She came to the University to work in the Establishment Department (which became Human Resources and is now known as People in Organisational Effectiveness), before moving to the Payroll Department. Rita spent eight years at the Sports Centre before moving to roles in University House and she retired from her post as Communications and Marketing Divisional Officer in 2004 after working at the University for 27 years.
Visiting Professor Mariana Rufino passed away on the 14th of September 2025. She was internationally recognised for her research in farming systems, combining agricultural and environmental sciences.
Visiting Professor Steve Long passed away on the 9th of September 2025. Professor Long was a pioneering researcher in the field of plant photosynthesis. Based at the University of Illinois, he was a visiting professor in Plant Sciences at Lancaster University.
Sue Hubbard, (Educational Studies, 2005) and formerly of the Schools and Colleges Liaison Office at Lancaster University, died in August 2025. In 1986 she took a part-time job in the Maths and Marketing Departments at the University, followed by a move into administration in University House, eventually becoming full-time in the Schools and Colleges Liaison Office. Sue attended education and employment fairs and helped organise the first University Open Day. She assisted at school talks eventually giving the presentations herself.
James Fraser (Computer Science, 2010, Grizedale) passed away in August 2025. He worked for the Information Systems Services (ISS) at LU, first as a student and then as a graduate, moving from the Service Desk to become an IT Technician and more recently a Systems Administrator.
Vishal Madhavan, (MBA, 2023) passed away in July 2025. Vishal came to Lancaster from Chennai, India, where he had developed a project management career in the automotive industry. After completing the full time MBA programme, with merit, Vishal stayed in the UK to work as a project manager for Schneider Electric.
David Tonks, who passed away on the 13th of July 2025, was an important member of the Marketing Department. He first came to Lancaster as a master’s student after a successful career in industry in the academic year 1978/79. His performance on the course was such that he was recruited to join the department and for the next 30 years made a significant contribution as a teacher, researcher and scholar. Perhaps his most lasting contribution to the subject was his fascination with rhetoric. This area formed the basis of his PhD, which was awarded in 2005.
Elaine Sykes, Head of Open Research at the University Library, passed away suddenly in June 2025. Andrew Barker, Director of Library Services said “As a work colleague she brought so much to our library – beyond her personal joie de vivre –she was a national advocate for open research – she was able to bring to her work a heady mix of logic, emotional intelligence and scathing wit”.
Tracy Heslop (Environmental Science, 1986, County) passed away on the 20th of May 2025. Tracy dedicated her life to environmental advocacy through her work with Greenpeace International and Greenpeace UK. She will be remembered for her passion, strength, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
Geoff Gregory, a former member of the Department of Operational Research, now Management Science, died aged 96 in May 2025. He worked at Lancaster University between 1969 and 1973. Geoff served on the Council and as Chairman of the Education and Research Committee of the Operational Research Society.
For full obituaries and tributes visit
www.lancaster.ac.uk/alumni/in-memoriam
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