Real Lives: Tributes paid to 'inspiring and compassionate' academic John

Published on Tuesday 21 October 2008 09:50

Tributes have been paid to John Troy, 59, of Balerno, the head of the school of accounting, economics and statistics at Napier University, who died suddenly while on a business trip to China.

Born and raised in Glasgow, John initially worked on transport economics with a number of consultancies.

He worked with Napier for more than 36 years, first joining as a lecturer in economics in 1972.

He became a senior lecturer in 1978, and was made head of the department of industrial and social studies at the then Napier Polytechnic in 1989.

He became head of the school of accounting, economics and statistics at Napier Business School in 1996, a position he held until his death.

As part of his work for the university he had recently started to explore the international market, setting up and managing programmes in Hong Kong, Shanghai and eastern Europe.

He was on a business trip to Leshan City, Sichuan Province, China, for Napier University last month when he suffered a fatal heart attack.

As well as his university career, he was a board member of EDiNEB, an international network for the sharing of new ideas in teaching and learning in economics and business education, and was also the president of Space, the European Network for Business Studies and Languages.

Rick Miller, a member of the EDiNEB network, said: "We will always remember John as a very inspiring colleague, but above all as a warm and compassionate friend, with a terrific sense of humour.

"He demonstrated a deep and rich love of life and knowledge and had a unique ability to bring that passion to all whose lives intersected with his."

John was elected to the role of president of Space in 2006, the first British academic ever to hold the post, and said at the time he was delighted by the honour.

Close friend and colleague, and a board member of Space, Greta Vandeborne, said: "It is very hard to cope with this situation," she said. "Personally I do not only lose a president with whom I was always on the same wavelength but also a very dear friend. There are no words for this sorrow. I was in contact with John only a few hours before his death while he was still in China. He told me he would stand for a second term of presidency because it was his wish to continue in helping to develop a strong Space network.

"However hard it may be, I want to believe that his spirit will continue to support us and remind us to live each day to the full."

John is survived by his wife Monica, sons Michael and Graeme and sister Jacqueline. A funeral service was to be held today at Mortonhall Crematorium's main chapel at 2pm.