Tributes have been paid to a polymath professor who enjoyed a 70-year association with Aberdeen University.
Professor Derek Ogston CBE, who worked in fields as diverse as medicine, theology and music, has died after a short illness.
First enrolling at the university as a 17-year-old, Professor Ogston gained an arts degree before studying for a career in medicine, graduating with honours in 1957.
His medical career began with house officer posts at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and he went on to hold a research fellowship in the Department of Medicine.
In 1962 he became a member of the university’s teaching staff.
He was a Senior Lecturer in medicine, became a Reader in 1975, was promoted to the Regius Chair of Physiology in 1977, and subsequently became Professor of Clinical Medicine in 1983.
During his time in medicine, Professor Ogston wrote more than 170 academic papers and travelled extensively, representing the university abroad on many occasions.
From 1984 to 1987, he was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and, in 1988, was promoted to Vice-Principal.
During his last four years of service, he was Senior Vice-Principal of the university, a position in which he played a major role in preparing and organising celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the university in 1995.
Following his retirement, Professor Ogston’s support and service to the university continued as he donated paintings, contributed to the purchase and instalment of the Aubertin Organ in the university chapel, and produced a book on King’s College.
He also served on the university business committee and as General Council Assessor to the University Court, as well as taking a course in Fine Arts, gaining an MLitt degree, followed by further studies in theology, graduating with a BTh.
Professor Ogston always took a great interest in student welfare, as well as student activities and societies, giving constant encouragement to those studying music.
His support for the Opera Society and the King’s College Chapel Choir resulted in exceptional opportunities being available for student members, and there are several Ogston Scholarships, as well as several Ogston awards and the prestigious Ogston Music Prize.
His contributions enabled groups and ensembles to visit and perform at the university, and still help support the King’s Philharmonic Wind Orchestra and the Carlaw-Ogston Composition Award.
Dr Phillip Cooke, head of the Department of Music said that his support has helped a generation of musicians.
“Music at Aberdeen has lost one of its most passionate and prominent supporters with the passing of Derek Ogston,” he said.
“Derek has been at the heart of the department for many years and has been an ever-present at all manner of concerts and events, always in the front rows, always with a smile and a witty comment.
“Musical life at the university will be very different without Derek, who was part of the fabric of music-making, and it goes without saying that we will look for ways to celebrate and commemorate his support at a later date.
“He will be much missed by staff, students and anyone associated with the Department of Music.”
Professor Ogston was made a CBE in 1995 and, in 2007, he was presented with an honorary degree from the university in recognition of his outstanding contribution.
In 2016, he was presented with a Benefactor’s Medal.
