Professor Roderick A Smith ScD FREng
(December 26, 1947–December 26, 2024)
It is with profound sadness that we reflect on the sudden passing of Professor Roderick Smith, Director of FESI, who died on 26 December 2024, his 77th birthday, in a tragic walking accident during a family holiday in the Lake District.
Rod became Director of FESI a few years ago and he had been a keen supporter of the Forum over a long period of time. For example, he was the after dinner speaker at the ESIA14/ISSI2017 conference held in May 2017, a plenary speaker at the ESIA16/ISSI2021 conference held in May 2021 and he chaired a workshop session on “Future Challenges for Fatigue Research” at the ESIA17/ISSI2023 conference held in May 2023.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rod’s warmth and enthusiasm left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed by the engineering structural integrity community and the broader engineering world.
Born in Greenfield, Saddleworth, Rod’s early love of the outdoors began during family holidays in the Lake District. He attended Hulme Grammar School in Oldham and began his engineering career as a student apprentice with the David Brown Corporation in Huddersfield. This led to an undergraduate degree at St John’s College, Oxford. He later completed a PhD at the University of Cambridge in 1974 under the supervision of Professor Keith Miller.
Rod’s distinguished academic career included roles at Cambridge, Sheffield and Imperial College London, serving as head of department at both Sheffield and Imperial College. His expertise in fatigue failure of metals, particularly in the rail industry, was internationally recognised. He played a key role in the Hatfield Rail Crash Inquiry, applying his extensive knowledge to enhance safety standards.
He also served as President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (photo), as a Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Transport and was President of the Engineering Integrity Society (EIS). As a Trustee of the Science Museum, he was instrumental in securing the Japanese Bullet Train for the National Railway Museum in York, reflecting his dedication to preserving engineering heritage.
Rod’s love of the mountains was lifelong, surpassing even his passion for the Manchester United football club. He climbed all the Lakeland Wainwrights and led expeditions to Greenland, Arctic Norway, the Himalayas and the Karakoram. A proud member of the Fell and Rock Club, the Alpine Club, the Arctic Club and the Yorkshire Ramblers’ Club, he undoubtedly had an adventurous spirit.
Rod is survived by his wife, Yayoi, and his loss is deeply felt by his extended family in the UK and Japan, as well as his countless friends and colleagues worldwide.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, OX1 4BJ. His colleagues and friends are invited to attend. The service will also be live-streamed, with a link available closer to the time on the tribute website (see below), or from the CS Boswell Funeral Directors.
As a tribute to Rod, donations can be made to the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team by selecting the following link: Roderick Smith, 1947 – 2024