Alumni
Obituaries and tributes
Ute Maria Foggensteiner
We have learnt, with great regret of the death on 7th September 2024 of Leicester alumna Ute Maria Foggensteiner, who graduated in 1988 with First class B.A. Honours in Combined Arts majoring in History of Art, with language subsidiaries. Ute also tutored German and Italian languages at both Leicester and at De Montfort Universities.
Ute Maria Foggensteiner (1940 – 2024) came to England with her husband in 1965 from Vienna, having been born there in 1940 in an era of great upheaval and austerity. The resilience required to survive such times was evident in her later life. They had lived in Lucca, Italy before the UK, and it was there that she embraced the Italian language. She had studied linguistics and Russian at McGill University, Montreal, Canada before returning to Buckinghamshire in 1977 prior to arriving in Leicestershire in 1983. She continued in academic activities and graduated from the University of Leicester in 1988 with a (rare) First Class Honours degree in Combined Studies majoring in History of Art, with language subsidiaries. Ute then taught German and Italian at both Leicester and De Montfort universities, retiring in 2000.
Post retirement, Ute’s energy and enthusiasm for language and learning were put to good use within the Charnwood u3a. She joined the Italian conversation group and became its group leader from 2014 until 2018, maintaining her customary high but fair standards. She was extremely well-read and joined book groups and a political discussion group.
Her generosity of spirit, wry humour and linguistic experience were much appreciated by those who were fortunate to meet her. She will be greatly missed and we extend our sympathies to her family.
Written by Mary Bettles (B.A. Hons Combined Arts 1971)
Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson 1938-2024 was born in Tyneside in 1938, and lived mainly Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire during his childhood. He attended Nottingham High School from 1950-1957 and then Leicester University from 1957-1960 when he graduated with a BSc in Chemistry. He always spoke fondly of his time at Leicester.
Peter married Christine in 1968 and they had two daughters, setting up the family home in Middlesex where he lived for the rest of his life. He had a long and successful career as a patent attorney, working for various companies including; Laporte, BOC, Hyde Heide & O’Donnell and Barker Brettell. Later in his career he collaborated with Trevor Baylis and Co wrote the book Inventing for Dummies, which was published in 2008.
Deborah Roberts
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Deborah Roberts. Deborah graduated from the University of Leicester with a Combined Studies BA in 1974.
Read more about Deborah Roberts.
Cheryl Susan Heath
I have to report the passing of Cheryl Susan Heath nee Youngston (BSc Maths and Psychology 1970) who died on 29 July 2024. Whilst at Leicester she met and later married Peter Heath (BSc Eng. 1971).
After graduating she became a computer programmer for BARIC (a subsidiary of ICL) in central London, working on the contract for Marks and Spencer. Her duties required being on call to deal with programming problems from the punched card system, frequently in the middle of the night. The initial glamour wore off and in 1972 she returned to Leicester to do a Dip Ed.
On completion of the course Cheryl married Peter prior to taking up a teaching post at Elgin Academy in the north of Scotland. Her sheltered teaching experience in Leicester had not prepared her for the experience of 11th stream maths lessons for those who did not want to be in school. Peter joined the RAF as a pilot so Cheryl became a camp follower giving up teaching for a time.
Whilst stationed in Yorkshire, Cheryl became the deputy Manager of a building society in York for 2 years. In 1977 Cheryl gave birth to Alastair and 3 years later to Lucy. As a mother she devoted her time to raising the children and it was not until later that she returned to teaching firstly as supply and then teaching statistics at Lincoln College. She became a statistician for the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge until the family’s last move back to Lincoln in 2003.
Cheryl was a very talented artist in various mediums but loved painting on silk and was able to teach others the technique. Her natural patience, good nature and enthusiasm enabled her to charm those who met her. In August 2023 Cheryl and Peter celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and fought a long and valiant fight against cancer. She is sadly missed by all who knew her.
Written by Peter Heath
Kyria Wilcox Cromwell
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Kyria Wilcox Cromwell. Kyria graduated from the University of
Leicester with a Social Sciences BA in 1970.
Read more about Kyria Wilcox Cromwell.
Frank Galbraith
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Frank Galbraith (English Local History MA, 2001). Frank very much enjoyed his involvement with the University and the people he met through his connections with English Local History.
During his lifetime, Frank generously supported the University Library and Student Hardship Fund.
Douglas R Urquhart
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Douglas R Urquhart (Law LLB, 1985). Douglas was a generous supporter of the University and had sat as a member on the American Friends of the University of Leicester Board since its creation in 2018.
Since graduating from Leicester, Douglas had worked as a solicitor at Allen & Overy in London before relocating to the US, where he worked as an attorney and partner at Weil Gotshal in New York.
Professor Lai Oso
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Professor Muraino Olayiwola Oso, who was better known as Professor Lai Oso. Professor Oso passed away aged 67 following a car accident on Saturday 24 June 2023.
Professor Oso was granted a Federal Government scholarship and graduated from University of Leicester with a PhD degree in Mass Communications in 1979. He was a Professor at Lagos State University and taught courses in Journalism, Media and Governance, Political Communication and Development Communication and Theory. As well as working as a reporter throughout Nigeria, Professor Oso was also a key member of the Nigeria Alumni Chapter.
Thomas Mackillop
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Thomas Mackillop. Thomas graduated from the University of Leicester with a Law LLB in 1979.
Read more about Thomas Mackillop.
Dr Peter Richards
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Dr Peter Richards. Dr Richards graduated from the University of Leicester with a Geography BA in 1950 and Educational Studies Diploma in 1951.
Read more about Dr Peter Richards.
Malcolm Hooper
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Malcolm Hooper.
Read more about Malcolm Hooper.
Professor Clyde Chitty
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Professor Clyde Chitty (BA History)
Professor Clyde Chitty had a teaching career that was largely spent in Leicestershire before taking up a lecturing post at Goldsmiths College, University of London, becoming a Professor of Education there. He was a prolific author of articles and books on education.
The funeral will take place in London at Beckenham Crematorium on 1 December at 1.15pm.
Anthony Everson
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of Leicester alumnus Anthony Everson who died on Tuesday October 18 2022, aged 76, after suffering several years of ill health due to Parkinson's and dementia. Anthony studied in the School of Education for the MEd in the academic year 1983-84.
Sydney Simango
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of alumnus Sydney Simango. Sydney graduated with a Masters degree in Geology in 1987.
John Sargent
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of alumnus and supporter John Sargent, who graduated with a Biological Sciences BSc in 1955 and a Botany PhD in 1957.
Emeritus Professor Eric Dunning
It was with great sadness that the University has learned of the death of Emeritus Professor Eric Dunning. Eric was a pioneer in the sociology of sport and the founder, with Patrick Murphy and John Williams, of the Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research.
Find out more about Professor Eric Dunning.
Vikki Orvice
We have learnt with deep regret of the sad passing of eminent sports journalist and Leicester alumna Vikki Orvice (BA English, 1984). Vikki passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 56.
Learn more about Vikki Orvice.
Ken Ford
We have learned with deep regret of the death of acclaimed artist, sculptor and academic Ken Ford. Ken was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University in 2010 for his contribution to the artistic life of Leicestershire and the UK.
Wilf Dillon
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of alumnus Wilf Dillon. Wilf graduated in 1973 with a BA (Hons) Sociology. Wilf served as president of the SU between 1971 - 1972.
William Bootle
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of William Bootle on June 22, 2017. William gained a Diploma of Education from our University and was the President of the Student Union from 1951 - 1952.
More about William Bootle (PDF, 199kb).
Remembered for his ‘quiet confidence’, integrity and friendship, Alumnus Sam Owori
Content provided by Rotary International. Written by Ryan Hyland and Abby Breitstein, re-purposed by Taylor Crosby (University of Leicester).
Leicester remembers honorary graduate Tim Pigott-Smith
The prominent actor was educated in the city and honoured by the University.
Find out more about Tim Pigott-Smith.
In Memory of Margaret Mallett
Margaret joined the Association's English 4-11 Editorial Board in 1999 after speaking at the Association's Primary Conference in York in March 1988 - Non-fiction: the Cinderella of children's books? She was elected a Fellow of the Association in 2005 and served as a member of the Association's Fellowship Committee until 2016. Margaret was also the co-founder, with Fellow Eve Bearne, of the Association's very successful Children's Literature Interest Group.
An inspiring teacher and author, Margaret's books include Choosing and Using Fiction and Non-Fiction 3-11: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers and Student Teachers (winner of the 2011 UKLA Academic Book Award), The Primary English Encyclopedia: The heart of the curriculum and Early Years Non-Fiction: A Guide to Helping Young Researchers Use and Enjoy Information Texts.
Margaret was also a regular contributor to Books for Keeps - the online children's books magazine - where you can see an impressive catalogue of her articles and reviews.
Crime writer and creator of Inspector Morse dies
University pays tribute to honorary graduate Colin Dexter.
More about writer and creator Colin.
Mike Fentiman
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of Mike Fentiman on 22 February. He was an English student at the University of Leicester who would go on to become a successful television producer and writer, championing the idea of ‘community programming’.
Matthew Lanyon
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of alumnus Matthew Lanyon. Matthew passed away on 6 November, 2016. He was 65. Matthew graduated in 1972 with a Bsc (Hons) Geology with Biology and Biochemistry.
Find out more about Mathew Lanyon.
Professor Andy Furlong - Tribute
Tributes have been paid to a Leicester graduate who was renowned in the field of youth studies in the UK and beyond.
Explore our tribute to Professor Andy Furlong.
Dr Mark Sims
We have learned, with regret, of the death of University of Leicester alumnus Dr Mark Sims. Mark passed away surrounded by his family and fiancée, on 19 January 2017. He was 28.
Learn more about Dr Mark Sims.
Dame Frances Patterson OBE
We have learnt, with great regret, of the death of graduate and honorary graduate Frances Patterson.
Michael Nicholson OBE
We have learnt, with regret, of the death of Michael Nicholson on 11 December. Michael was a television journalist who studied at the University of Leicester.