Dr Ruskin Longworth CChem FRSC

Ruskin Longworth died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 26th, 2016 after a short illness. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Joyce Kettaneh Longworth, his daughters and sons-in-law Monica Longworth and Michael Coyne, Kim Longworth and Jim Wallis, Jennifer Longworth and Matt Meyer, Alys Longworth and Jon Hope, as well as six grandchildren, Aidan and Glynis Coyne, Aubrey and Noel Meyer, Jacqueline and Alexander Wallis.

Ruskin was born in Oldham, England to the late John Ruskin Longworth and Elsie (Smith) Longworth. He was 88 years old. He attended the Enfield Grammar School in North London 1939-1946, and received his B.Sc. from South West Essex Technical College and School of Art in 1950. He came to the United States in 1952 to do graduate work at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute until 1955, continued research at the University of Leiden 1955-1956, and was awarded his Ph.D. from the University of London in 1956.

He married Joyce in 1957, joining the DuPont Company's Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware. He and Joyce made Wilmington their home, building their house together in 1961. He worked at DuPont for 28 years in Plastics Research, specializing in ionic polymers. He was the author of several articles and book chapters on the subject, and specifically two chapters on ionomers. In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Ruskin was a member of the American Chemical Society.

After retiring in 1985, Ruskin pursued his lifelong interests in gardening, sailing, poetry, books, music and cooking. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, and especially his grandchildren, particularly at the family vacation home in Chatham, Cape Cod. Throughout his life, Ruskin brought his scientific bent to all his interests and endeavors. His last chemistry demonstration for his grandchildren, just a few weeks before his death, was 'the cry of tin.