Robert Lacey (1961)

I regret to inform you that I learned recently of the death of my oldest friend, Robert (Bob) Lacey, whom I had known since primary school.

Bob spent most of his career as a statistician at the Water Research Centre in Buckinghamshire, working on problems as diverse as how to predict the failure of water pipes, how to accurately samples fish populations in rivers, and the links between water quality and health.

As a young man, Bob was an enthusiastic mountaineer, leading me up rock climbs in Wales. Later, we met up when he visited me for many years during his annual summer walking trips with friends to the Scottish Highlands.

I thank his nephew, Prof. Neil Greenham, for information about Bob’s career.

Written by Dr Trefor Woodford, Queens’ College, 1961-64