In Memoriam: TAPPI Fellow, David A.I. Goring (1920 – 2021)

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David A.I. Goring was an accomplished TAPPI member that joined the organization in 1966 and became a TAPPI Fellow in 1983. At the of 100 years old, David passed away on July 17, 2021. He is survived by his beloved wife of 74 years, Liz, by his daughter, Rosemary, and by his son, Christopher (Jane), and predeceased by his son, James (Pamela). David was born in Toronto, Canada on November 26, 1920, and grew up in Georgetown, British Guyana. He studied at University College, London, UK, earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 1942.

David had an impressive life. During World War II, he was a pilot in the Royal Air Force in Burma. After the war, he continued his formal education at McGill University, Montreal, earning a doctorate in physical chemistry in 1949. He earned a second doctorate, in colloid chemistry, from Cambridge University, UK in 1953. Dr. Goring devoted his working life to the study of the three main components of wood: lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, foundational science of great importance to the pulp and paper industry.

He spent his scientific career in Canada, principally in Montreal, at the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada (PAPRICAN). He retired at the rank of Principal Scientist, having served as: Director of Research; Vice President, Scientific and Vice President, Academic. From 1960 to 2003 Dr. Goring was a revered teacher and mentor, supervising 23 PhD students and numerous other young scientists and engineers, first in the Chemistry Department at McGill and then, after he 'retired,' in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry's Pulp & Paper Centre at the University of Toronto. He was an invited lecturer at many universities and industrial research institutes around the world. He published over two hundred scientific papers and received numerous awards from international, learned societies.

David was considered a brilliant scientist, a leader and role model to his students and colleagues. TAPPI sends their condolences to his loved ones.

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=david-a-i-goring&pid=199776543
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