Remembering Brian Diamond

Brian Frederick Diamond was born on the 2 May 1937 at his home in Speedwell Road, Colchester, to doting parents Robert and Bertha alongside older sister Jean.

Brian attended Wilson Marriage school before moving on to a five-year mechanical engineering apprenticeship at Paxman Diesels. He remained employed there until Brian joined the RAF in August 1961 in which he served for three years as a toolmaker. He returned to Paxman Diesels after his RAF service, where he remained until he left to work briefly in London before joining the University of Essex in the Department of Physics in 1964.

When Brian joined the Physics Department, it was based in Wivenhoe House, in what had been the stables. Eventually the impressive Physics Department was built along with a large mechanical Workshop, where Brian was to be based for almost all of his 36 years at the University. Brian was well known for his jovial nature and his ability to produce intricate mechanical items for the full spectrum of research and teaching activity within the Physics Department. He could produce amazing results from simple drawn diagrams from academic and other technical staff, whether it was a revolutionary room sized laser, or a complex low temperature cryostat.

In his last years at the University Brian joined a team that was funded to introduce computers and the internet to local schools. A project that also established the TACTIC centre in Wivenhoe, a drop-in centre to allow local people to access the internet. This shift to IT demonstrated Brian’s adaptability and his willingness to change.

Brian was also a keen Union man throughout his working life, being one of the staff members to establish trade unions on campus, and eventually being on the National Executive of MSF Union for the Eastern Region.

Brian leaves a Son Graeme, Daughter in Law Helen, Grandson Seth and Partner Zoe all bereft but filled with happy memories.