Over 60 years of friendship, science, and generosity

Despite having lived in different countries as young boys impacted by the second world war, Bernard Tinker and Bill Walsh both found themselves at the University of Sheffield during the late 1940s.

They quickly bonded over shared interests in advanced chemistry research and campus sports. Rugby, squash, soil science and the Union Academic Committee would all quickly become key aspects of their fondly remembered time as friends and students at the University.

Indeed, the deep kinship they cultivated as undergraduates would endure throughout the rest of their lives, each crediting the other as a best friend and valued advisor for the next 60-plus years. Both men also met their future wives in the city: Bill met Julia, a history teacher from Ecclesall, and Bernard met Maureen, a nurse at the Sheffield Royal Hospital.

Bernard always remembered his studies in the Steel City as a “formative and happy time”. He even credits Sheffield’s undergraduate social scene for his lifelong love of dance, developing (in his own words!) “a good sense of rhythm, though my legs were always a bit clumsy.”

Bill, in turn, received Union backing for a comedic student society, and developed a passion for photography - including some of the wonderfully nostalgic snapshots of 1950s undergraduate life seen here.

Both young men stayed to complete PhDs before embarking on different, but equally fascinating, careers as organic chemists. After two years of National Service in the RAF, Bill became a successful industry executive with companies such as Reckett and Coleman.

Bernard’s work took him overseas, including seven years in Nigeria, emerging as a leading oil palm expert and eventually a Director at the National Environment Research Council.

Later in life, Bill established the Head Teachers and Industry organisation, and was a positive force in his local community, earning an Honorary Degree from Hull University in 2012. Bernard’s love of travel continued, and he and Maureen spent much of their time taking holidays - particularly to visit their grandchildren in the USA. 

Having enjoyed a decades-long friendship forged in Sheffield, both men felt deeply moved to support the institution that first brought them together. Each left a gift in their Will of £10,000 for science scholarships at Sheffield, helping future students follow in their footsteps as inquisitive scholars and enduring allies.

Natalie Stokes, a recipient of these scholarships, expressed her “deepest gratitude for the incredible support and generosity” shown by both Bernard and Bill towards students at their beloved alma mater.

We are so grateful to both men for their generosity, and deeply moved that Sheffield held such a special place in their hearts until the end. Their enduring legacy will change so many student’s lives now and long in the future, as the kindness of two old friends is passed along to new generations.