Professor Roderick Smith, shaking hands with past Queens’ President Lord Eatwell, at his Fellowship election 2015

It is with great sadness that the College has learned of the death of Queens’ Honorary Fellow, Professor Roderick Smith.

Professor Smith passed away in a tragic accident on 26th December, his 77th birthday, whilst descending from Grisedale Tarn after an enjoyable family walk in his much loved Lake District.

Roderick had achieved a highly successful academic career, with posts such as, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Transport, and had taken up academic positions at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Sheffield and Imperial College. He has been Head of the Departments of Mechanical Engineering at both Sheffield and Imperial College London, and a Fellow of Queens’ College Cambridge and St John’s College Oxford.

We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Professor Smith’s family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Memorial Service

A memorial service will be held on Friday 7th March 2025, at 2pm, to which all are welcome. The service will be held at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, OX1 4BJ.

Parking will be limited. Those travelling by car are recommended to use the Park and Ride facilities on the outskirts of the city.

Yayoi, his widow, has requested no flowers. However, donations are being raised for the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team in honour of Rod’s love of the Lakeland Fells. The family have set up a tribute page where you can make donations if you wish: Roderick Smith, 1947 – 2024

For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed. For details of the livestream link please contact C.S. Boswells directly:

C.S. Boswell, Funeral Directors, Oxford. OX2 7PP
Tel: 01865 553737