Mr Kenneth R. Welling (Aeronautics MSc 1946)

Provided by Mrs Margaret Welling

Ken was born on 8th December 1926 in Lewes, Sussex. He attended Lewes Grammar School. In 1945 (aged 19) he was awarded his first degree (RSc. Engineering, First Class Honours) from London University (for which he was an external student at Brighton Technical College from the age of 15). In 1945-46 he was a Demonstrator in the Aeronautic Department of Imperial College and in 1947 he received his M.Sc. (Eng.) from Imperial College.

He joined Rolls-Royce in Derby in 1947, a move that set the course for the rest of his life. At Derby Technical College (where he lectured part-time) he was President of the Students Association and represented the County at hockey, chess and bridge. He was also a keen tennis and golf player.

Ken devoted his entire career to Rolls-Royce where he was involved in the development of some of its greatest engines - the Dart, the Adour and the RB211-535 (for which he was the Chief Project Engineer). He ended his career in November 1983 as Chief Airworthiness Engineer. He continued as a consultant with the company for some years. He was also a Fellow of The Royal Aeronautical Society.

He died, peacefully at home, on Saturday 8th September 2007, following ten years of suffering from Parkinson's disease.