Obituary - John Dunn CEng HonFIMMM FIMechE

John Dunn was a professional engineer of the highest order and a champion for younger engineers. He served as President of IMEMME in 1985.

John Dunn CEng HonFIMMM FIMechE
9.5.1927–13.4.2020

John began his lifelong career in mining in his home village of Burnhope, North Durham, following his grandfather and father who were both engineers at the mine. He worked under private ownership, continuing to the National Coal Board (1947), retiring in March 1987. He occupied such senior positions as Group Mechanical Engineer, Area Maintenance Engineer, Area Mechanical Engineer, Senior Engineer (Selby) and Area Chief Engineer, witnessing rapid changes in technology from an industry which was highly dependent on manual operations prior to nationalisation to an industry highly mechanised with state-of-the-art technology.

John moved to North Yorkshire in 1974 as Senior Engineer (Selby), overseeing much of the planning and engineering of the largest single project ever undertaken by the Nationalised Coal industry, the Selby Coalfield, which he regarded as the highlight of his career. John was delighted to see the success achieved by so much of the new technology introduced. Decisions made in 1975 not only stood the test of time, but also achieved world records, some of which still stand today.

Mining institutes always interested John, he advocated that they provided a solid platform for learning. Throughout his career John was a champion for younger engineers, for those he mentored he shared his knowledge and experiences and presented all with opportunities to develop and expand their knowledge. He joined the North of England Branch in 1954 and served on Branch Committees, he was elected Branch President in 1974. Following his move to Yorkshire he transferred to the Yorkshire North West Branch and served as a Member of Council. During his periods of service on the Conference and Technical Committee new ventures were made into Mining Symposia.

John wrote several papers on the Selby Coalfield and presented papers on maintenance, conveying, materials handling and transportation to other kindred societies. The highlight of his association with the Institute was his election as President of the Institution of Mining Electrical and Mining Mechanical Engineers (IMEMME) at Harrogate in 1984 and when he presented the Hopley Memorial Lecture in 1987.

John worked during his presidential year to secure a place for the Institution on the Second Register of the Engineering Council. He always wanted to obtain some recognisable award for young engineers and established the criteria for the Travelling Scholar and the President’s Award for Excellence. John was made Honorary Fellow and was Chairman of the Qualifications Board and a Member of the Management Board.

Throughout Johns long retirement he enjoyed many hobbies and activities, he shared his love of travel with Ivy, his wife. John tragically died one day after the death of his beloved wife, of 66 years, Ivy. The pair were inseparable. Ivy not only supported John throughout his working career, but also accompanied him to his many Institute functions.  

John and Ivy leave their son, John, his wife, Judith and two married grandsons, Robert and James and their wives Kate and Hope, all of whom they were immensely proud.

Board of Trustees of the Midland Institute Mining Engineers