Obituary: Peter Lindon

One of the founding and long-standing members of the former School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Sussex has died aged 78.

Dr Peter Lindon, whose research interests were in power electronics and AC machine drives, was appointed as a Lecturer in 1966 and retired 35 years later as a Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering.

Peter read Engineering at Imperial College London, gaining an excellent first, followed by a doctorate at the University of Glasgow.

Peter was an erudite speaker who could just as well have followed an arts-based career, coming from an artistically gifted musical family: his father was the principal violinist and leader of the London Symphony Orchestra. Peter had a short period working for the BBC as one of its adult education producers.

At Sussex, Peter proved to be a brilliant teacher loved by his students.

During the 1970s, Peter worked with Graham Williams and Denis Edwards on a Research Council-funded project to investigate a novel form of linear electric motor for advanced ground transport. This was part of a coordinated programme involving the Universities of Bath, Manchester, Nottingham and Sussex, exploring four different motor concepts.

After that, Peter concentrated on power electronics, supervising several DPhil students on projects in advanced electrical drive systems. He was able to combine his love of electrical engineering and the theatre when he helped design a novel new lighting system for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Starlight Express.

Peter had many interests outside the University. He was a first-class administrator and used this skill in becoming Chairman of the East Sussex Area Health Authority and then Chairman of the New Sussex Opera Society. He performed both of the roles with charm and exemplary efficiency and tact.

After he retired in 2001, Peter was determined to learn to play the French horn. This he did successfully and he was able to play with the Lewes Concert Orchestra.

Peter died on 19 January 2018. He is survived by his devoted wife Jill, his children Stefan and Tanya, his step children Dinah and Susie, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Colin Finn, Emeritus Reader in Physics

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