Ray Esdale MRSC

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Ray Esdale.

Ray was born in London in 1948, and after leaving school studied chemistry on day-release at Hatfield Polytechnic. Ray joined international Flavors and Fragrances in 1973, and worked there as an analyst, chemist and eventually laboratory manager until 2000. Following this he continued to work in the fragrance industry at The Independent Fragrance Co, Mercia and finally CPL Aromas Ltd before his retirement in 2017. Ray was highly respected and much loved by all of his colleagues for his skill, diligence and knowledge as well as for his irrepressible sense of fun. Ray also took great pleasure in sharing his knowledge to inspire and develop the careers of younger generations of chemists.

Ray was an analytical chemist who specialized in the techniques of gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy and had particular interest in the study of essential oils and their chemistry. In this capacity Ray was for many years a member of the RSC Analytical Methods Committee Sub-Committee on Essential Oils, and was an important contributor to many publications. He continued to research into this field and to contribute to the SubCommittee after his retirement, and his hard work and passion will be greatly missed by the group.

Outside of work Ray was a loving family man with a diverse range of interests. He pursued his interests in steam trains, Tottenham Hotspur football club, foreign travel, rock music and gardening with the same enthusiasm that he brought to all aspects of life. At various points he was a committee member, treasurer, secretary and chairman of Haverhill Rovers Football Club, and a qualified football referee. Ray and his wife Sue had two children, Steven and Jenny, and he will be fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.