It is with great sadness that the Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Kingston University informs that our friend and colleague, Dr Doug Brown, passed away unexpectedly. This has come as a shock and a heavy loss for those staff members and students who knew Doug during the eight years that he worked for the University, in his role of Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and GIS.
His friends and colleagues remember Doug:
"I am shocked and saddened by Doug's passing. Doug was a kind-hearted and gentle soul. I always felt a sense of calmness when I spoke to him. I admired his gift of communication, an ability to get to the heart of a thing, wherein he always seemed to clearly convey exactly what needed to be said at the moment when he said it. I will miss him greatly and am honoured to have worked with him, and to have been exposed to his profound intellect. My condolences to Doug's family; I find myself sympathising greatly with their sudden loss of a father, husband, son…I hope you find some solace in knowing that he was loved and respected by so many."
Associate Professor Dr Kerry Brown
"So many happy memories of being with Doug, it was pleasure not work, now so sadly never to be repeated. He was always so supportive to colleagues and encouraging to students, with a cheery smile to let you know that all would be alright in the end. Inevitably, as a geographer, some memories are of annual field trips to Swansea, where Doug as a historical geographer brought the past to life for students and staff alike. He is greatly missed and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. It feels so strange to realise that I will not be seeing him again."
Professor Nigel Walford
"Always a smile or a cheeky grin - he always had time for everyone - such a kind and generous person, humble to a fault and a truly gifted and insightful individual - a real privilege to have known him. Whilst this was a massive shock to a small close-knit department like ours and huge loss for Kingston University, it is obviously nothing compared with the devastation felt by his family, my condolences to them all. I am sure he would smile at my clumsy farewell - Shalom Doug."
Associate Professor and Head of Department Pete Garside.