We are sorry to have to announce the death of Professor Robert Freedman who died on Tuesday 17 October following a period of illness.

Robert first came to Kent in 1971 when he joined what was then the Biological Laboratory.  He went on to become its Director in 1989, remaining in that role until he was appointed pro-Vice- Chancellor in 1996. He subsequently became Deputy Vice-Chancellor. In 2002, he left the University to take up a post at the University of Warwick. He played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Royal Society of Biology and served as a member of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University in July 2010.

During his time at Kent, Robert was an active supporter of the arts on campus and was regarded with great affection by many. He will be sadly missed by his friends here at Kent. Our thoughts are with his family.