My father, William Deans, who has died aged 69 from cancer, started every day with a quiet moment over a coffee, reading the Guardian, occasionally breaking the contented silence to discuss the latest news with his wife, Geraldine. William would then take the cryptic crossword aside and work on it periodically throughout the day, solving each clue with steady determination. His love for crosswords in his retirement can be seen as a natural progression from his successful career at Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ).
In 1984, after several years working as a researcher and lecturer at universities, William moved with his family to Cheltenham to take up a post at GCHQ. While his work there remains secret, we do know that he left his mark at the organisation as a well-liked team leader and respected mentor. William thrived in the intellectually stimulating environment of GCHQ and, in recognition of his contributions, William and Geraldine were invitees at one of the Queen’s garden tea parties.
Born in Leeds, William grew up in Glasgow, one of four children of Meriel (nee Hunter), a biology teacher at Bearsden academy, and Ronald Deans, a regional manager with the Glasgow gas board. He attended the High School of Glasgow, got a first-class honours degree in natural philosophy (physics) from the University of Glasgow and went on to obtain a DPhil from the University of Oxford with his thesis, Theory of Gauge-Invariant Operator Renormalisation. His research papers from his time in academia continue to be cited. One of his children’s favourite anecdotes was the time that Stephen Hawking came to listen to one of William’s lectures – only for the famous physicist to leave partway through.
Respectful, kind and modest, William had a positive attitude and lively curiosity that seeped through everything that he did. New places and experiences were sources of fascination. He was a fantastic cook, accomplished DIYer, passionate music lover and keen mountaineer. Retirement gave him a chance to learn the clarinet and within a few years he was a member of several eclectic bands and was invited to lead a session at one of the Workers’ Music Association’s summer schools.
William was a dedicated and loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and grandfather. He is survived by Geraldine (nee Walsh), whom he married in 1974; their three children, John, Zuzana and me; four grandchildren, Ariane, Rosalie, Meredith and Robyn; his mother and his three sisters, Elizabeth, Morag and Meriel.
