The Wolfson Says Goodbye to a Glasgow Great

Abstract

In July, students and staff at the University of Glasgow were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dr Des Gilmore, an honorary lecturer at the University of Glasgow. A reproductive physiologist by trade, Dr Gilmore was a passionate academic and educator, contributing to medical and veterinary research across the globe and training countless generations of future scientists and doctors. Just as remarkable as this was his commitment to student welfare; taking a genuine interest into the livelihoods of his students and offering support using his vast experience.

Arriving in Glasgow in 1972, following a PhD in his native Canterbury, Christchurch and post-doctoral fellowships in London and Massachusetts, he quickly immersed himself in the Glaswegian culture. A keen sportsman, he he joined the University Hares and Hounds Running club where he became Secretary and latterly President; a position he held proudly for thirty-seven years. Des was also a well-known Stevenson gym attendee and GUSA ball frequenter who always had time for a chat.

Despite retiring in 2006, his commitments to the University never stopped there, choosing to facilitate medicine problem-based-learning sessions and running student selected components such as bouldering. His ability to engage students during these sessions with anecdotes and exhibits was unparalleled.

Des was a man of many stories and a genuine good guy who will be sorely missed. He knew the challenges that surrounded studying in a demanding academic environment and dealt with this in the best way he knew how - good craic.

Reference:

1.University of Glasgow - MyGlasgow - MyGlasgow News - Archives - 2014 - July - Queen’s Baton - 21 July [Internet]. Gla.ac.uk. 2025 [cited 2025 Sep 14]. :https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/news/archives/2014/july/headline_348177_en.html

‌