Norman Albert Julius Luff MSc CChem FRSC

Norman Luff FRSC passed away on 12 December 2015.

Norman first discovered an interest in chemistry during after school classes at Bishopshalt School in the 1940s. It was an interest that developed into his lifelong career and his lifetime love, sharing his heart with music, fly-fishing, steam locomotives and languages.

After completing his national service as a trumpeter in the RAF band in Germany, Norman started his career as an industrial chemist with Glaxo in Greenford where he worked as Head of Vitamin D Manufacture and Natural Product Extraction Plant.

His first step into teaching came as an assistant lecturer in organic chemistry at Slough College of Technology. From there he moved onto a position as a lecturer of organic and analytical chemistry at Stow College in Glasgow and remained a chemistry teacher for the rest of his professional life. He subsequently taught at Glasgow Polytechnic, Slough College of Technology, Thames Valley University and David Game College. During this time he also published papers in Infrared Spectroscopy, Course assessment and lab-skills assessment.

Teaching chemistry was never just a job for Norman, it was his passion and it was his mission.  He took the responsibility of passing on the art and magic of chemistry to all he could with irresistible enthusiasm. 

His dedication to his work and teaching meant that many of his colleagues and students became lifelong friends. Norman's legacy to chemistry is not only in his own work, but in the fascination and love for chemistry that he fostered in others, the contribution they have made to the field and the success and happiness of their own lives and careers.