Published Resources Details
Article
- Title
- Obituary: Geoffrey Raymond Rigby
- Imprint
- 15 Jun 2015
- Url
- https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/news/obituary-geoffrey-raymond-rigby
- Format
- HTML
- Description
Includes colour portrait
- Abstract
Dr Geoff Rigby was a quintessential Newcastle-based chemical engineer, known by colleagues for his energy, applied research skills, practical knowledge, mentoring, and genuine respect for the people with whom he worked. He passed away in April 2015, aged 74 years.
Geoff had a strong connection for many years with EA, at both Division and National level. He was a Fellow of IEAust, the Institution of Chemical Engineers and the Australian Institute of Energy. He was a foundation member of the Newcastle Chemical Engineering Group, and served on the Division Committee from 1976 to 1988, as Newcastle Division Treasurer from 1981 to 1985, and as Division Chairman in 1983. At National level, he was a Councillor from 1985 to 1988, and served on National Committees and Working Parties for Environmental Engineering, Transport, Research and Development, Professional Liability and Indemnity, Engineering Heritage, and the Disciplinary and Chemical College Boards.
Geoff completed a chemical engineering traineeship with Courtaulds Australia in Tomago - graduating from the University of NSW with a BE and PhD in Chemical Engineering in 1965 and 1968 after conducting work on spouted beds. Following post-doctoral work with the National Research Council in Ottawa, Canada, he joined BHP Research and Development for an illustrious career spanning over 25 years. Throughout this career, his results were well published in the international technical and patent literature in a diverse range of areas. Geoff's initial work was conducted in coal, coke, and energy research, before tackling transportation of materials by long distance pipeline - work that was awarded two John A. Brodie Medals in 1982 and 1985.
He subsequently turned his attention to the development of membrane gas separation processes with a special emphasis on controlled atmosphere systems for fruit and vegetable storage and transportation, sharing a third Brodie Medal for the work in 1991. Further research continued on dust suppression in mining and stockpiles, improved performance of diesel engines, novel energy systems, and gasification, before embarking on pioneering work with a team developing treatment options for harmful marine organisms in ship ballast water as they arrive in Australian ports. This work, originally for BHP Transport, expanded after retirement, with his guidelines for ballast water management being internationally adopted, and recognised with an Australian Museum Eureka award for excellence in the field of science.
Geoff continued to develop his wide-ranging interests throughout his retirement, including energetically pursuing a lifelong interest in woodworking, leading the Newcastle Anglican Diocesan Environmental Commission, chairing the local L'Arche group, and publishing numerous books on Australian native plants.
Geoff will be greatly missed by his wife Bev, his four sons and their families.