David IvanJAMESIvan was born in Newport, Monmouthshire on 23 June 1929.
He contracted polio at the age of three which caused lifelong muscle weakness. To help with his dexterity he had piano lessons, taught by Mai Jones composer of "we'll keep a welcome in the hillside", later he was organist at Mount Zion, the chapel where the family worshipped.
Ivan's schooling was disrupted by the war but he gained a scholarship to a local Grammar School, Newport High where a section of the school playing fields was ploughed up as part of the Dig For Victory campaign, providing allotments for the boys, an activity he thoroughly enjoyed and he continued to Dig for Victory for the rest of his life.
The effects of Ivan's polio meant that he was turned down for armed service during the later years of the war, and he was "left at home with the girls" - though this situation would have been seen by some as a distinct advantage, Ivan's sense of duty was such that it rankled with him for the rest of his life. He did, however, join the RAF cadets, and a photograph exists of him in his uniform on VE day.
Ivan was awarded a State Scholarship to University College, Swansea where he studied under the tutelage of Professor Frank Llywellyn‑Jones, graduating in 1952 with an honours degree in physics. It was here he met Anne on a coach to the theatre when Ivan offered Anne a Smartie. They married in 1953 and had four children and seven grandchildren. Their marriage lasting almost 70 years until Ivan's death.
After university Ivan worked on valve technology at Ericson telephones in Nottingham, and then taught in Llanidloes before moving to Shawbury in 1957 when Ivan joined the Rubber and Plastics Research Association.
He spent the rest of his career at RAPRA becoming senior physicist. Here he researched polymers and thrived on problem solving for industry partners using a wide range of investigative techniques, many of which he developed himself.
He became a consultant to the British Standards Institution and authored over dozen Standards.
He trained as an electron microscopist and developed expertise in both scanning and transmission electron microscopes becoming a Fellow of both the Royal Microscopical Society the Institute of Physics and a Chartered Physicist.
He has published over 50 papers.
Following his own experience of disability, he developed extensive experience in friction testing and floor safety sometimes being called upon as an expert witness in legal cases, involving slip resistance analysis of the floors in question. His 1980 paper 'A Broader Look at Pedestrian Friction' resulted in his becoming a Google Scholar, a proud moment for a man who came to embrace internet technology only in retirement.
During the Cold War Ivan was a Warning and Monitoring officer receiving the Queens long service medal for this voluntary work but was always wary of discussing it as it was an official secret at the time.
In his 40s Ivan took up the tenor horn and was a founder member of Wem Jubilee band. He played with them for around 30 years. In retirement he compiled a book of hymns and tunes suitable for brass bands. He had an extensive collection of hymn books to draw on.
Ivan was an enthusiastic painter, keen photographer, gardener and musician.
A calm and patient man, ever willing to share his knowledge and offer advice and guidance. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
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