Many of us in the institute were saddened to hear of the passing of our former colleague Professor Roger Fenwick. Roger had a long and distinguished career spanning almost 40 years at the Institute of Food Research, leading ground-breaking research into bioactive compounds in food and animal feeds, as international co-ordinator for numerous projects, and as a mentor and valued friend.
From the early 1970s, Roger’s research focused in on bioactive compounds in plants, including saponins, alliins and in particular glucosinolates and isothiocyanates found in Brassicas.
Roger led the development of techniques to identify and quantify the spectrum of these compounds in plants, helping make the institute a world leader in the development of quantitative methods for analysing food components.
The work to analyse and categorise dozens of glucosinolates and their breakdown products helped plant breeders and food producers solve specific problems – including the development of less bitter Brussels sprouts and solving a problem of fishy taint in eggs, linked in part to rapeseed used in chicken feed. He also helped to overturn the view that these compounds were toxins. Some were reported to have anti-cancer effects, and this opened up the study of their health-protecting activities in the human body in the 1990s, eventually leading to the development of nutrient-enhanced broccoli.
Roger was an advocate for collaborative research. He helped found the first major Norwich Research Park scientific project, the Norwich Legume Group, when the NRP concept was still in its infancy. This brought together pea genetics research from the John Innes Institute with nutrition, food composition and analytical research at IFR Norwich and disease resistance at UEA.
Roger’s skills at pulling together teams locally and internationally were demonstrated when he jointly managed one of the first large-scale European-funded projects, linking agriculture and industry, which paved the way for many other such projects.
From 1995, Roger’s international reputation and spirit of cooperation led to him becoming the institute’s International Co-ordinator, leading or supporting over 100 different projects that connected IFR’s researchers with colleagues in the EU and across the globe. He was instrumental in leading the establishment of the European Technology Platform ‘Food for Life’ and he co-founded the FOODforce network of leading European food, nutrition and health research organisations.
As well as being a distinguished scientist, Roger was an incredibly supportive colleague, especially to young researchers. He was a mentor to many who went on to have long and successful careers at IFR and beyond, encouraging them to develop their skills, expand their networks and build their careers in food research.
Roger contributed his vast expertise to author over 400 academic papers as well as technical reports, reviews, books and consumer articles, receiving a Highly Cited Researcher Award in Agricultural Sciences from the Institute of Scientific Information.
His contribution to science was recognised through a number of awards including the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s Research Medal for 1993, the Medal of Michał Oczapowski by the Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences for services to UK-Polish cooperation, the Lifetime Award from the European Federation of Food Science and Technology and the Medal of Merit from the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and he was appointed an Honorary Professor at the University of Warmia and Mazury in 2005. He was a long-serving Hon. Secretary of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Food Group, Secretary and Chairman of the Food Chemistry Division of the European Association of Chemical and Molecular Sciences and elected a Fellow of The International Academy of Food Science and Technology.
Outside of his research, he was highly charitable and most passionate about gardening, and in bringing plants to life. He will be missed by all who knew him.
“I met Roger in 1992 at IFR when I was a PhD student. At that time, Roger was research leader of the “Pink Lab” applying advanced chromatography and MS to study food components which were both beneficial and potential risk to human health. He was not only an excellent scientist but a very kind and approachable colleague and friend. I very much appreciated his advice especially during his time as the Institute’s international co-ordinator. We edited a book together “Phytochemicals in Health and Disease” (Marcel Dekker 2004), and I learnt a lot from him. His invaluable comments and encouragement inspired me to continue my research into the breakdown products of glucosinolates and human health. Without his advice I would not have been so persistent in pursuing the mechanisms of action, and the benefits and risks of the hormetic effect of dietary isothiocyanates from brassica vegetables. Thank you very much to you, Roger. You will be truly missed!” Yongping Bao
“Saddened by this news. In addition to his many academic achievements, Roger was a inspiration & mentor to young scientist & very amusing company.” Fred Mellon
“Roger led the long-suffering but indefatigable Dawn Barrett, and I, along with a huge group of co-workers, in putting together the international, multidisciplinary Congress, ‘Bioavailibility 88’, the first in a series. 250+ scientists from 44 countries. Hosted at UEA and IFR. My first ever radio and TV interviews (the latter with the legendary Stuart White) and the work we delivered basically got me my job as Liaison Officer at FRI. Big debt!” Catherine Reynolds
“I have very fond memories of years of laughing and learning from Roger. His dry wit, kindness and consideration will be with me forever. He had a unique ability to share his immense knowledge in a way that enabled understanding. A sad day for all that had the honour of knowing and working with him. RIP May your flags fly high.” Abigael Polley (nee Peerless)
“One of the greats at IFR who was amazingly supportive of colleagues who wished to develop European collaborations. He will be truly missed.” Paul Finglas
“It is a pleasure to be able to say I knew Roger, he was a quietly spoken man with a twinkle in his eye. My main memory of him was when abroad he contacted me to help arrange to have some medication couriered over to him as he hadn’t got sufficient with him. I managed to help and it was a pleasure, but on his return he brought me a lovely crystal animal to say thankyou, which was so thoughtful.” Noreen Neal (was Favell)
“Roger was always incredibly supportive, especially to early career researchers. Such a nice guy. He will be sadly missed.” Alan Mackie
“I have many fond memories of Roger; of his encyclopaedic knowledge of small, foody molecules, his extensive flag collection, his alter-ego Myfanwy, and above all his good humour and thoughtfulness. Rest well Roger, you can stop writing now!” Caroline Spinks (Spinky)
“Roger was a very special person – he had a brilliant scientific mind but was a very unassuming character. He cared greatly for staff at IFR, and told me he kept a box of Kleenex in his office ready for when a certain female scientist went to see him when upset! He had a dry (Welsh) sense of humour but was never unkind. I will forever appreciate all he did for me as I rose in the ranks from a junior post-doc working long hours in the animal house, and his encyclopaedic chemical knowledge, including his understanding of the principles of bioavailability. He is undoubtedly one of IFRs greatest people. A lovely man.” Susan Fairweather-Tait
“Such very sad news. Roger was a wonderful colleague at IFR and so supportive of early career researchers. He will be very much missed by all.” Lynn Frewer
“So sorry to hear this terrible news! I met Roger in 2006 at IFR in Norwich after he helped me getting a European Marie Curie fellowship. He was really nice with me and teached me how to build an international network. Back to INRA in France in 2007, I stayed in touch with him. I will always remember him as an extremely nice guy, always ready to help young researchers…” Didier Dupont, INRAE, France
“Such very sad news. I have many fond memories of Roger and the conversations we had. He was an expert at bringing groups of varied scientists together and creating something greater than the sum of the individual parts. He was the pathfinder for creating large EU programmes and was always reticent to take any credit for what he had achieved. Many successes, one must add were achieved inspite of rather than because of management structures. His tenacity and determination saw him overcome many challenges along the way. A top scientist of his era and a really decent person. To quote an amusing typo in the acknowledgements of a book chapter he assisted me with “I would like to tank Roger Fenwick for his invaluable help …” RIP Roger and tanks for the many warm memories.” Nigel Lambert
“I have known Roger since decades. He was a good and enthousiastic scientist, always looking for collaboration and networking. It is so sad to read that he suddenly passed away. The scientific world will be a a bit emptier without him.” Prof. Dr. Hans Verhagen, the Netherlands
“Roger was one of the most generous of people – both with his knowledge and his time. After he retired we had a few lunches together – joined by the bond of being sulphur chemists. Each time it was a happy and interesting occasion. He was co-author on my first paper in 1986 and over the years we talked science, Wales & Scotland and everything in between.” Bryan Hanley
“Very sad to hear the news of Roger’s passing. I worked with Roger during my time as New Zealand’s Counsellor, Science and Innovation based in the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels (2008-2012). We collaborated to support international opportunities for New Zealand, European and UK food and nutrition research. He had huge amounts of energy, leadership, compassion and insight. I had the privilege of visiting the research institute in Norwich at his invitation and he arranged a very interesting and memorable programme. He introduced me to a (now) mutual friend Professor Indrawati Oey who is now Head of Food Science Department at University of Otago, when she was considering her move to New Zealand. Okioki i runga i te Rangimarie/Rest in peace Professor Fenwick.” Karla Falloon, New Zealand.
“A true food chemistry hero as well as a great human being!” John O’Brien
“Such sad news. Roger’s achievements are impressive when looked at today – looked at 40 years ago, when publishing a paper was a rather more difficult affair, they are nothing short of amazing. A scientist of real international stature, however you choose to measure it, he was also a great guy, always ready to develop his team, and to support and advise junior colleagues.” Mike Morgan
“We are very sorry about the sad news regarding Roger Fenwick. Roger was more than a collaborator, or advisor; he was our friend. We know him for more than 20 years and our work brought us together many times. He was an example of a way of cooperation between EU countries, organizations and people. He supported us, and we are sure that he supported everybody he knew, in being an united EU research community. He contributed a lot for development and integration of ERA. In our hearts and our memories, his name will always be connected with: IFR, Eufoodchems, ETP Food for Life, FOODforce, SCIEX and many others which can’t be counted but they marked our lives. With his kindness and devotion he made us to feel that we are part from the same research community family.” Denisa & Nastasia (National Institute of R&D for Food Bioresources IBA Bucharest, Romania)
“I am very sorry to hear that Roger has passed away. When I joined IFR in 1979 he was an inspiration as a research leader in applying world class, basic science to complex food systems. Not just an excellent scientist but a kind and approachable colleague. I certainly appreciated his help and advice when diagnosed with diabetes. RIP Roger.” Victor Morris
“With the death of Roger Fenwick, we lost one of the greatest food scientists. He did a lot after the change of regime by integrating scientists from Central and Eastern European countries in science, involving them in EU projects. I met him 33 years ago, thanks to him for the results of my personal career, his kindness and humor will be missed. Dear Roger rest in peace.” Professor Elisabeth Kovács, University of Szeged, Hungary
“I am sorry to hear this sad news about a most excellent and respected scientist with an unassuming modest character. He made a major active contribution to the Committee of the RSC Food Chemistry Group over very many years and he inspired collaboration amongst European scientists both young and old.” Eric Dickinson
“I met Roger over 2 decades ago as a scientist for the first time. Since then, I had the opportunity of to know him more on a number of occasions not just as a scientist or a researcher but also as a research facilitator, network builder, keen gardner, soft spoken, immaculately dressed, perfect English gentleman who was always willing to help fellow researchers to expand their boundaries through collaboration to realise their full potential. Roger’s sudden departure from this world to a distant colony has greeted his near and dear ones, colleagues, friends and his beloved plants in the garden with tremendous sadness. I will always look at the stary sky thinking of him that he is one among them still shining in the sky above us all. May his departed soul rest in eternal peace.” Girish
“Great Scientist and wii be truly missed by all for his remarkable achievements and kind behaviour.May God grant peace to departed soul and give strength to the family to bear this irreplaceable loss .🙏🙏” Dr.Krishna Duhan , Professor CCSHAU,Hisar (Haryana ) India
“Deep sorrow for the passing of Roger, we will always be grateful for his extraordinary generosity and for the dedication he has always shown towards frailties. I personally appreciated his deep love of knowledge and his aptitude to share his wisdom. We will miss him. May the memory of him be a blessing.” Francesco Capozzi, University of Bologna
“What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that I got to know you. 💐” Purva Kamatkar
“I echo all the foregoing tributes. Roger was an excellent colleague and scientist. He sensed the soul of IFR and was, consequently, a widely respected able Ambassador and discerning promoter of its work and workers both internally and within the expanding European community harmonisations, collaborations, and research networks. Personally, I valued him very much.” Peter Aggett
“I first met Roger in approx 1958 when he appeared as a potential Honours Chemistry undergraduate at University College, Swansea where I taught him for three years, After his first class degree he started with the group operating the incredibly expensive mass spectrometer – the first to be installed in a UK university as part of the huge new building providing a service to any university requiring it. Completing his Ph.D he left for the USA and eventually returned to Sheffield as probably one of the best mass spectrometists in the U.K. I persuaded him to join us in Norwich where he spent the rest of the distinguished career outlined above with the decorations and awards mentioned. A very good friend and excellent dedicated scientist he was at the centre not just of the “fishy taint in eggs” but also “musty taint in chickens” for several years where we struggled with two incredibly difficult and complex problems which proved to be near disasters fot the rapidly expanding poultry industry but received little publicity because the producers were paranoid about publicity. Incidentally, fishy taint was selected for inclusion in a Royal Society Summer Soiree and produced a memorable photograph of the Queen’s disgust in sniffing a fishy egg. Recognition for one of natures’ gentlemen.” Prof. F Curtis
