Life Stories
Derek G Springham
Derek G Springham (1958 DPhil Botany) died on 6 December 2023 aged 85.
Derek was born in Harold Wood near Romford Essex and educated at Royal Liberty School, Havering. During his school years he achieved a gliding certificate and also cycled from Essex to Lands’ End and back with a group of friends. He suffered a tumour in his sinus which was treated by an early form of radiation then known as the “Cobalt bomb”. He recovered but missed a year at school.
Derek read Botany and was awarded a DPhil for research on the metabolism of yeast. His first job was with the Brewing Industry Research Foundation (reflecting a lifelong fondness for English beer) and achieved a place on the tasting panel for experimental brews.
He transferred to a lectureship at Queen Mary College, University of London, in about 1966 where he taught industrial microbiology, molecular biochemistry and computer basics for his biology students. After retirement, he painted portraits and organised exhibitions for Essex Art Club.
He was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera, which progressed to myelofibrosis and took part in a trial of a palliative drug at Royal London Hospital which improved the quality of his life for 4 or 5 years.
He is survived by his wife Mary.
Publications include:
Bacteria and the Enhancement of Oil Recovery (co-author)
Biotechnology (editor)
Biotechnology the Science and the Business (co-author and editor)
Introductory Microbiology (co-author)
Kindly provided by his wife Mary Springham.