An Honorary member and until recently, a Custodian Trustee of the Society, Muriel Rhodes-Roberts died of Cancer in her 83rd year. Born and educated in Lincolnshire, Muriel spent the war years in a milk testing laboratory, an experience that probably kindled her interest in microbiology. After the war she read Botany with some microbiology, at the then University College of Nottingham. She subsequently fulfilled a long held ambition to study for the Diploma in General Bacteriology at the University of Reading. On completing the course she was appointed to the post of Junior Lecturer becoming one of the founding members of the first independent Microbiology Department in the UK. Depsite the work involved in assisting with the organisation and teaching of a novel degree course, Muriel put much effort into a research programme concerned with the then little understood and unwieldy genus Pseudomonas. This led to the award of a Ph.D. In 1959 Muriel spent a very happy time as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Ontario, Canada. She returned briefly to Reading before taking up a Lectureship at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. There she remained as lecturer then Senior Lecturer for almost 30years. Although Muriel remained active in research right up to her retirement, she will be best remembered for her dedication to the teaching of microbiology. Her wise counsel and warm personality endeared her to staff and students alike. She was valued member of the Microbiology in Schools Advisory Committee (MISAC) for 19 years, 13 of which (1985-1998) as the official SfAM delegate. She also served as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer. Although heavily committed to teaching and research, Muriel contributed in many ways to the work of the Society viz she was a local organiser for a summer conference and demonstration meeting as well as joint organiser of a SAB/FEMS meeting. After her retirement in 1990, Muriel spent a few months at Multan, Pakistan where she taught a foundation course in microbiology. Thereafter she remained in Aberystwyth where, in addition to maintaining an active correspondence with colleagues and ex-students in many parts of the world, she participated enthusiastically in the life of the town, especially her local church and the town museum. She will be sadly missed by many especially her nieces and their children to whom she was a devoted aunt.
R.G.Board
Dorothy Jones