Emeritus Professor Ian Robert Dunsmore

We are sad to report the death of Ian Dunsmore.

Ian was born in Preston, Lancashire. He studied at Liverpool University, graduating with a BSc in Mathematics specialising in Statistics, followed by a PhD in Bayesian Statistics. In 1966 he was appointed to a lectureship in the newly established Department of Statistics at Glasgow University.

During his six years in Glasgow, he married his wife Josie and together they had two children, Bruce and Pam. Ian then joined the University of Sheffield, where he was to remain for the rest of his career. In due course he was promoted to a Senior Lectureship and, in 1990, to a Personal Chair. On his early retirement, after almost 30 years, the title of Emeritus Professor was conferred on him.

During his time in Sheffield, Ian served in many different capacities including a period as Head of School. He was excellent in the role, being both an efficient administrator and a respected representative. He was also active in the Royal Statistical Society and was a member of the small group presented to the Queen during the Society’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Ian was primarily a Bayesian statistician and much of his research concerned ways to make feasible the necessary calculations. His work on Bayesian predictive methods laid the foundation for some key ideas in personalised medicine and was set out in the classic text Statistical Prediction Analysis which he wrote with his PhD supervisor John Aitchison. He also enjoyed applied research, mainly in medical applications, and took great pleasure in collaborating with medics at the Hallamshire Hospital and bringing real therapeutic benefits to future patients.

Ian is remembered by his former colleagues as a modest and warm-hearted man. Aside from his academic work, he was organist and an active member of his local church, a keen and proficient sportsman, an enthusiastic walker and was devoted to his family.

He is survived by his brother, wife, son, daughter and grandchildren.