Kenneth Walters. 14 September 1934 — 28 March 2022

Abstract

Kenneth (Ken) Walters was a leading international figure in the field of rheology. He applied his mathematical training to the analysis of many common test procedures, and contributed to the formulation of nonlinear constitutive equations for viscoelastic fluids. He also pioneered computational studies in rheology, and engaged in fruitful collaborations with industry—notably the oil and china clay industries. He was born in Swansea, South Wales, and he remained a devoted Welshman throughout his life. He studied under James Oldroyd at Swansea and was awarded the PhD degree in 1959. In 1960, after a stint in the USA, he was appointed as a lecturer at Aberystwyth, and he remained there until his death in 2022. He built a very strong research team at Aberystwyth, which became a dominant factor in the rheological scene in the United Kingdom. He was a keen promoter of rheology and assisted in the organization of many conferences and meetings. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics , and authored or co-authored four well-known books on rheology plus several tracts of a religious nature—Ken was always a devoted Christian. He was also a very able sportsman, especially at cricket and golf. He is survived by his wife Mary, three children and seven grandchildren.