OBITUARIES
Tom ’ s academic research started with the disentanglement of real-world polymers . He took existing ideas and made them much better ; he introduced entirely new ways of thinking . Tom also took delight in showing how mathematical ideas can unite different scientific disciplines and was internationally recognised for his interdisciplinary research . Two of his long-term projects speak volumes for his passions : the Ordered Universe Project involving a unique configuration of natural scientists , social scientists , humanities scholars and artists to explore the work of the 13th century polymath Robert Grosseteste ; and Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science ( ECLAS ) to create opportunities for church leaders to connect with science .
PROFESSOR TOM MCLEISH FINSTP , FRSC , FRS 1962-2023
Tom was one of the world ’ s true polymaths and will surely be fondly remembered for his irrepressible enthusiasm and insatiable curiosity about the world , his engaging and entertaining manner , and his warmth , kindness and generosity to all .
Tom was born and grew up in North Kent . He joined Sevenoaks School in 1973 and there is no doubt that the remarkable teachers set Tom on the path to such an extraordinarily rich and fruitful life . It was from Sevenoaks that he was launched onto Emmanuel College , Cambridge to study Physics and Theoretical Physics , and gain a PhD in Polymer Physics . Tom was a great supporter of Sevenoaks and enjoyed returning to give talks , meet staff and students and to hear about the school to which he owed so much . He also gave guidance as Chair of the Institute of Teaching and Learning Advisory Board .
Tom believed , passionately , that science is a God-given gift and spent a lifetime developing a theology of science . He worked tirelessly to make science engaging and accessible to all .
Tom won the highest prizes from the British , European and US Societies of Rheology – the Gold Medal , the Weissenberg Award and the Bingham Medal . In 2011 he was elected as Fellow of the Royal Society and became Chair of the Education Committee where he played a key role in national curriculum development and science education . Besides these achievements , Tom was Pro Vice-Chancellor at Durham University , and in 2018 he joined the University of York as Chair in Natural Philosophy – a title that he chose , and which fitted the unique academic that he was . In the same year , the Archbishop of Canterbury presented Tom with the Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship . Tom also authored many books , including Faith and Wisdom in Science and The Poetry and Music of Science .
Tom lived life to the full . He loved hill-walking and scuba diving , singing and playing the French horn , and travelling the world . He loved Schumann , the Old Testament book of Job , and spending time with his wife Julie , four children and their growing families . He was a lay reader in the church and took any opportunity to share the faith and hope he had in Jesus – right until the end . Tom loved people and was widely and deeply loved .
Julie McLeish
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