b'Member News July 2021 31ObituariesProfessor William Alexander Gambling FRS FREng PhD DSc HonFIETOctober 1926January 2021A pioneer in the field of optoelectronics, Professor William Alexander Gambling PhD DSc FREng FRS HonFIET passed away in January 2021. Professor GamblingFive years after beingPassionate about graduated from theelected Fellow of thepromoting the field of University of Bristol inRoyal Academy ofoptoelectronics, he took Electrical EngineeringEngineering, in 1978on lecturer roles at the before receiving hisProfessor Gambling wasUniversity of Liverpool, PhD from the Universityelected President of thethe University of British of Liverpool. Institution of ElectronicColumbia in Canada, and and Radio Engineerswas both Head of the (IERE), which mergedElectronics Department with the IEE (Institutionand Dean of Engineering of Electrical Engineers),at the University of now the IET, in 1988.Southampton.He received HonoraryFor his Fellowship from the IERE and the Faraday Medaloutstanding from the IEE in 1983. contribution to Instrumental in thethe promotion development and use of optical fibreof electronics, communications, Professorhe was awarded Gambling founded one of the first research groupsthe Mountbatten focused on optical fibresMedal of for telecommunications, the Optical Fibre Groupthe National in the DepartmentElectronics of Electronics, at the University ofCouncil in 1993.Southampton. In 1989, this group became a UKFollowing his retirement National Interdisciplinaryin 1996, Professor Research Centre, theGambling joined the City Optoelectronics ResearchUniversity of Hong Kongs Centre (ORC), which hadDepartment of Electronic more than 100 members.Engineering as visiting Professor William Alexander Gambling FRS FREng PhD DSc HonFIET He was appointed theProfessor, where he also ORCs first Director.created a new ORC.As well as a distinguishedIn 2002, he was awarded research career, Professorthe James Alfred Ewing Gambling held a numberMedal from the Institution of university positions.of Civil Engineers.'