David Neadle Obituary
16 August 1944 – 1 January 2023
David began his love for all things science, like many of us, at school. He had an affinity for the subject, particularly chemistry and biology where he aspired to become a medical doctor. As is often the case, his life took him on a somewhat different path, and he began his professional career with a manufacturer of organic chemicals before transferring his talents to the Medical Research Council.
During this time, he worked extensively in the field of chemical pathology working on the biochemical markers of mental disorders such as schizophrenia. When the research group he worked with were set to move north, David remained in the West Midlands, working for a year as a hospital biochemist.
David’s final big move was back to industry, where he joined a motor lubricant company Smallman Lubricants Ltd in 1968 (Smallman Lubricants was acquired by D.A. Stuart Ltd in 2000 and then purchased by Houghton plc). David remained at Smallman and D.A. Stuart for many years, assuming responsibility for product development, technical support, and quality control. By the end of his service at Smallman Lubricants, David was the Technical Director.
It was during his tenure at this company that he developed an affinity for health, safety and environment. He spent the latter portion of his career as a self-employed consultant providing advice to the industry, he had dedicated his life to, with the goal of addressing the challenges the industry had encountered, to protect workers - particularly around metalworking. This was in his role as chairman of the UKLAs Metalworking Fluid Product Stewardship Group.
David retired ‘formally’ in 2011, however in 2014 he took his love of chemistry and STEM subjects in general, back to the grassroots as a STEM ambassador. He worked with young people across the West Midlands to further their careers in STEM, and often beyond. He touched the lives of thousands of young people across his years as a STEM ambassador and spoke and wrote often about the achievements of Women in Science.
This history of David’s career does no justice to the efforts that David gave throughout his life. After spending his days working at the Medical Research Council and Hospital in Edgbaston (Birmingham, UK), David would ride his 3-speed bicycle (his nicer one was stolen) to Wolverhampton University, where he taught night classes in biology and organic chemistry, before riding back to his home in West Bromwich, shared with his lifelong partner Judy Neadle (married for 56 years) and their three children Jamie, Emma and Jessica. David was a dedicated worker but an equally dedicated family man. David was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Late in 2021, it became clear that David was suffering with some unknown disorder. After an extensive array of examinations and tests, spanning over 12 months and many medical professionals, David received a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease in late 2022. David continued his fight into the New Year, before passing away, at the age of 78, in the afternoon of 1st January 2023 at home, with his family beside him.
David is survived by his wife Judy, children Jamie, Emma and Jessica, grandchildren Damien, Olivia, Jacob, George, Ellie, Lily, Harry, Spencer and Isaac and great-grandaughter Margot. He had a deep love of music, film and books but more than all of these, his family. David will be remembered as a beacon of honesty, integrity, and passion by all those who knew him and will be missed by all.
It is with this momentous career and character in mind that I write this piece, in memory of my beloved grandfather, mentor and inspiration.
By Dr Damien Neadle
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