John Whittle, my father, passed away at the age of 95. He was a senior scientist with Shell who worked on aviation lubricants. During his retirement, he developed a newfound fascination with local history, which led him to publish several books.
Born in Bolton to Arthur Whittle, a bank clerk, and his wife Eva, John had an idyllic childhood. He spent much of his time cycling or walking in the Lancashire Hills, often captured on his father’s cine camera. His Methodist upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of morality. John attended Bolton grammar school before studying mechanical engineering at the University of Manchester’s Institute of Science and Technology, where he graduated in 1947.
He then worked for a company connected to Shell in the south of England before returning to the north-west to become a research scientist at the company’s Thornton research centre near Chester. In 1954, John met Kathleen Harris at the Chester theatre club, and they happily married for 65 years.
At Shell, John contributed to the development of lubricants for aero engines. He helped design a new generation of jet engines capable of working at greater temperature extremes than ever before, a time when the aviation industry faced real challenges. Later, he worked on petrol engine additives that made them more efficient, greener, and less polluting. In both areas, he co-authored a number of important patents.
During the 1960s, John and Kay converted a Transit van into a motorhome and travelled around Europe. In later years, they went further afield, visiting Japan, Indonesia, Guatemala and the US.
After retiring early from Shell in 1984, John and Kay moved to an old farmhouse in rural Cheshire. John developed a passion for researching the history of their farmhouse and co-founded the Hargrave and Huxley Historical Society. Additionally, he obtained a master’s degree in Landscape History from Chester University, graduating 50 years after completing his first degree. John published three books on the villages of Hargrave, Huxley, and Waverton.
John volunteered for Citizens Advice, acted as treasurer for a women’s refuge, and was a trustee of the Moulson Trust education charity. He was also an enthusiastic walker, taking on challenges in Shropshire with friends and the family’s old English sheepdog, and hiking in Spain, Greece, and Nepal. Above all, John was a kind, generous and humble man who lived life to the full.
Kay passed away in 2019, and John is survived by his children, Nigel and me, four grandchildren, Emma, Simon, Richard, and Harry, and two great-grandchildren.
