1945 - 2015
Visitation
August 31, 20151:00-2:00
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
August 31, 20152PM
Dolan Funeral Home
John William Walkinshaw, 70, of Westford and Mashpee, MA died Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Lowell General Hospital.
He was married to Susan Elizabeth Walkinshaw with whom he celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on August 1st .
John was born in Southbridge, MA on February 21, 1945, the son of the late Alexander and Martha(Blackburn)Walkinshaw. After graduating from Southbridge High School(1963)he went to Lowell Technical Institute (LTI-now the University of Massachusetts Lowell) and earning a B.S. Paper Engineering (1967), M.S. Paper Engineering (1969), and M.S. Chemical Engineering (1970). In 1978 he received his Ph.D. from Victoria University of Manchester (England) reading Paper Science.
He was hired as an Instructor at LTI in 1968, becoming a Full Professor in 1988. Prof. Walkinshaw taught, advised, and mentored more than a thousand students. He received 17 awards for teaching excellence and had been the Faculty Advisor to many students and student organizations including the Lowell Student Chapter of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry(TAPPI)and the founding advisor to the Lowell Student Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers(AIChE)and national TAPPI.
An active TAPPI member and a past technical editor for TAPPI Journal, he was a member for 46 years. In 2013 he was named a TAPPI Fellow. His award reads in part:
“During a long and distinguished career John Walkinshaw has made significant contributions to the paper industry by his many accomplishments as an educator, in testing standards development and in the research and development of innovative technology for the treatment of secondary fiber,” said Larry N. Montague, president and CEO of TAPPI. “During his more than 40 years of service to TAPPI his leadership and hard work have been instrumental in the development and implementation of many of the TAPPI Standards and Test Methods used by the industry today.”
Past chairman of the Technical Committee D-06 for the American Society of the Testing of Materials (ASTM), he went on to become a part of the United States International Standards Organization(ISO) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the Technical Committee for Pulp, Paper and Paperboard (TC 06). In 2006 he was appointed head of the U.S. delegation byAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI).
As a member of the Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada(PAPTAC) and the U.S. observer of the Canadian Standards Council (CAC) he worked to build a united North American position for paper test standards at the international level.
John was a Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was active in research and held U.S. Patents in Ultrasonic Processing.
John was well loved and admired by colleagues and students. Besides his wife he is survived by his niece Louise Hartley and her daughter Constance Hartley of England and many cousins. He is predeceased by his half-sister, the late Barbara (Walkinshaw)Hatton.
Visiting hours Monday, August 31st, from 1 to 2 P.M. followed by his Memorial Service at 2 P.M.at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 Middlesex St., Chelmsford. A private burial will be held at a later date in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge, MA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation PO BOX 1848 Longmont, CO 80502.
Joanne Mavroides
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John Walkinshaw was our most beloved professor, I was in the class of 1982 and have so many wonderful memories, not only from my time in school but over the years, running into each other in town or most recently at advisory board meetings and river hawk games. My heart goes out to Sue and John’extended family and also to all my classmates who are, I am sure remembering with fondness our intro to calculations and unit ops classes. Sincerest condolences.
Joanne (Marcotte) Mavroides
Alice & Warren Hutchinson
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Sue, Hutch and I we’re so sorry to learn of John’s death. I will always remember my days working for him at the university. He was a breath of fresh air whenever he came into the office. He was a fine decent man.
With sincere sorrow,
Warren and Alice Hutchinson
Stoddard, NH
Hemant Ajbani
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I am so sorry to hear about Prof. Walkinshaw’s passing away. I remember him from my days at U Mass Lowell. Gifted, focused on students, eager to engage with students, a sense of humor – these are some of the qualities that come to mind immediately.
I am sure he will be missed by his family, friends and students. Hemant
Frank Sutman
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I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I’ve known him through TAPPI through many years. He was a tireless supporter of our association and our industry. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Diego Bonanno
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He was more than a professor. Dr. John Walkinshaw was a passionate mentor and a great man. He will be sincerely missed.
Sincere condolences to Mrs.Walkinshaw and family.
Diego Bonanno
Todd Popson
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John was a tireless volunteer for so many professional committees in and around the Paper Industry. I met him first in 1992 and worked with him ever since on these committees. I always appreciated his honesty, candor and humor. He was so very knowledgeable about the history and technology of paper testing. He was a great advocate and genuine hard worker. He always volunteered when no one else would. His wry smile, enjoyment of a nice ale and selfless volunteerism will be sorely missed. May God Bless.
Patricia Jong Thomas
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Our deepest sympathy goes out to Johns’ family and friends. He will be remembered as a brilliant man who lived an unassuming life surrounded by the things he loved. He will be missed.
Lew Shackford
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What memories I have of John in Lowell and in the industry for the last 43 years. Always anxious to help and mentor, and always a friend. I feel so blessed that I was able to see and talk to John at PaperCon earlier this year. Sue, our hearts reach out to you for your loss. We all feel the loss. Lew Shackford
Blessing N Tawengwa
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My condolences to the whole family. I was in the class of 1993. Professor Walkinshaw was a great mentor to us all. I know my classmates will honor him and share all the wonderful memories of classes and friendships.
Peace to you all
Blessing N. Tawengwa
My-Linh Nguyen
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My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. I was one of Dr. Walkinshaw’s student. He was a great teacher, compassionate mentor, and a wonderful human being. I was fortunate to bump into him at the ISPE event last October after 15 years. I will always remember him.
Most sincerely, My-Linh
Kathryn Fisher
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As the husband of one of my best friends, I had many opportunities to share in his intelligence and friendliness.
My heart is heavy on his passing and for the loss to his wife Sue.