Dr John K. Whitehead (Chemistry 1938, MSc 1940)

Provided by Mandy Whitehead

Dr John Whitehead MBE
1917 - 2008
 
Dr John Whitehead, whose dedication and energy played a pivotal role in establishing the city’s thriving museum heritage, has died at the age of 90. His legacy to the city of Ripon includes the foundation of the Ripon Museum Trust which in three decades pioneered and supported the creation of three new museums within the city. A modest and gracious man, Dr Whitehead’s contribution combined intellect and vision, with a vigorously practical approach; he was equally at ease building display cases as he was explaining a detailed point about the history of the Poor Law.
 
Born in Kingston upon Hull in 1917, Dr Whitehead attended Hull Grammar School, winning a royal scholarship to read chemistry at the Royal College of Science in London (Imperial College). His career as a research scientist was to include service as a government chemist during the Second World War and employment with the Flour Millers’ Association and Cancer Research. In 1963 he moved to Harrogate to join the new tobacco research laboratories where he was appointed director six years later and remained until retirement in 1977.
 
His connection with Ripon began when he moved with his family to High St Agnesgate in 1971. His wife Helen became an active member of Ripon Civic Society, calling for better museum facilities in the city and identifying the potential of the former workhouse building at Sharow View. After her death in 1974, the campaigning work continued, with additional momentum created by a planning application to turn the former House of Correction on St Marygate into a wine bar. The Civic Society objected and the Ripon Museum Trust was founded by Dr Whitehead who then persuaded Harrogate Borough Council to buy the building in 1983. Ripon Prison and Police Museum opened its doors to the public the following year, and has continued to grow and flourish, receiving a Heritage Lottery Fund grant for expansion and refurbishment in 2002. Dr Whitehead’s achievement was recognised with an MBE in 1990.
 
As the first President of the Ripon Museum Trust, Dr Whitehead continued to make a major contribution to the development of the city’s museum provision which saw the opening of the Workhouse Museum in 1996 and the conversion of the former magistrates’ court in 2001 to the Courthouse Museum. Dr Whitehead died peacefully at  home on Good Friday after a short illness. He was still engaged in museum matters right up to the end and was thrilled with the news of the latest successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid of £837,000 for the Workhouse Museum.  
 
The museum work was an expression of a deep and far-reaching commitment to the city, the preservation of its environment and the promotion of Ripon tourism. Sociable and generous with his time and talents, Dr Whitehead had strong links with many local organisations. He served as Chairman and Vice President of the Civic Society, Founder Chairman of the Environment Committee, first Secretary of the Ripon Tourist Association and Vice Chair of the Historical Society Committee. He had also served as a Citizens Advice Bureau counsellor, a governor of Ripon Grammar School and, until recently, as a trustee of the Ripon Improvement Trust. He was a life-long member of the Liberal party and a member of Ripon Film Society.
 
For the many who had the privilege to know him personally, Dr Whitehead will also be remembered as a kind and gentle family man who will be missed greatly by his six children, four grandchildren and everyone whose life he touched.