Alex Young

We have learned, with sadness, of the death of Dr Alex Young, who taught Engineering at Leicester in the 1960s and 1970s. Dr Young, who was an expert in the use of concrete in civil engineering, passed away in Cambridge on 23 October 2024. A funeral is planned for 6 January 2025 at the Church of St Mary and St Michael in Trumpington. Dr Young was married to Jeanette, who pre-deceased him. The University extends deepest condolences to his daughter, Andrea.

Richard Mobbs remembers: “I applied to do Engineering at Leicester in 1971 and I am sure Alex was in post then. During my undergraduate years, the Computer Lab was formed and staff were located in the Bennett Building. Existing computing staff were moved over to the Computer Lab. However, during these years the Geography Department roof collapsed (high alumina cement) and the computer (CDC Cyber 72) was relocated to the Rattray Lecture Theatre.

“Alex Young approached the Vice Chancellor (Ken Edwards) and offered his services to do a review of roof collapse. Ken said that he had already approached an external firm who said that they were going to put their top consultant on to the project - it was Alex Young.

"After completing my PhD in Physics, I was a postdoc in Engineering and my office was opposite Alex's. He was a very kind man and always generous with his time.”