Prof. L. Pyle

2:28pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

PROFESSOR Leo Pyle was born in Salford, Greater Manchester, the son of a railway signalman.

During his early childhood, he demonstrated an aptitude for science which saw him sit his exams before his peers and led him on to Salford's De La Salle college and then Manchester University, where he studied chemical engineering.

His first job was as a researcher with the National Coal Board, however he returned to academia taking up a post as lecturer at Imperial College London where he was to remain for the next 20 years.

During that time Prof Pyle took advantage of the sabbaticals offered to members of the academic profession and he travelled the world with his wife Dympna, whom he met while they were both students.

In the 1970s the couple moved to Chile to enable Prof Pyle to take up a post with the country's state petrochemical industry.

They were planning to settle in Chile, and their son Chris was born in the country, however, the political unrest forced them back to England.

Despite returning home, Prof Pyle continued to travel extensively in Asia and Africa and his fluency in Spanish meant his lecturing skills were particularly in demand in Latin American universities.

He was appointed as a professor in biotechnology at the University of Reading in 1985, where he rose to become head of the department.

During this period, his profound Christian beliefs and desire to help the poor of Latin America saw him become heavily involved in a scheme which flew academics out of the political turmoil in their own countries to the safe haven of the UK.

Prof Pyle loved the Lake District, and many happy family holidays prompted a move to Clappersgate, near Ambleside, in 2003 following his semi-retirement.

However, he continued in his roles as a Visiting Professor at Manchester University and Emeritus Professor at Reading.

He became deeply involved in various community groups including spearheading the Ambleside Climate Change Forum and also served as chair of Churches Together in Ambleside.

Prof Pyle was a keen mountaineer and walker and enjoyed spending time with his family.

He was found dead by mountain rescuers at Red Screes near the Kirkstone Pass in wintery conditions late on Tuesday, March 25.

He is survived by his wife, four children and numerous grandchildren.

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