The Department is saddened to report the death of Dr David Hilling, MBE, on 27th March, aged 85.
The Department is saddened to report the death of Dr David Hilling, MBE, on 27th March, aged 85. David joined the Department of Geography at Bedford College in 1966 and was Acting Head of Department at the time of the Department’s move to the Egham campus of Royal Holloway and Bedford New College in 1985. David was appointed an MBE in the 2004 New Year’s Honours List for services to Inland Waterways. David’s research, teaching and publications focused on maritime transport geographies, ports and waterways, and the geographies of development in Africa, especially West Africa. He retained a lifelong affection for Ghana, having started his career in the nascent Department of Geography of the University of Ghana in Legon. Students and staff colleagues alike benefitted from David’s kindness, mentorship and gift for good humoured storytelling. After retiring in 1996 David continued to play a hugely active role as an Honorary Fellow of Royal Holloway. It was always a particular delight to catch up with him at College events, the Royal Geographical Society, or at our Departmental Christmas lunches, most recently in December 2019 when he was in fine form. David died peacefully at home. We were privileged to have him as part of our community for so many years and he will be greatly missed by us all. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, and his two sons Hugh and Christopher, to whom we offer our heartfelt condolences.
