10 February 2022

Obituary – William Keating HonFIMMM

The IOM3 Wood Technology Group is sad to announce that Bill Keating, Honorary Fellow of IOM3, passed away in April 2021 at the age of 93

Bill (second left) with John Brazier and Harry Greaves.

Bill was a very important dedicated and committed member of the strong and vibrant Australian Branch of The Institute of Wood Science (IWSc) from the very beginning, and was synonymous with the advancement of wood science.

In particular, the Australian forest products industry today has much to be grateful for the work of Bill Keating. As Secretary and later Chairman of the Branch, he had a great and wide influence and contribution to the advancement of wood science.

Bill accepted the nomination as Branch Honorary Secretary on its formation in 1973.  His considerable organisational skills and initiatives in his duties, particularly in the various seminars, conferences and workshops arranged by the Branch resulted in it being established as a serious base for the furtherance of wood science and technology. Coupled with this was Bill’s worldwide reputation and particularly contacts with the UK’s leading wood scientists. Bill was Chairman of the Branch from 1985–1989.

Bill was elected Vice-President of the IWSc in 1984, and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. This was in recognition of Bill’s long and close association with the IWSc, particularly his interests in timber technology education, which provided the impetus for the (Australian) National Common Core Curriculum in Timber Technology.

Bill worked for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Postmaster General’s Department (PMG) involved in the fields of timber utilisation, standards for timber grading and general dissemination of information of wood properties. Bill was ideally suited to develop the forementioned curriculum.

He is a prolific author and contributor on wood science and technology. He has 6 books (some co-authored with Eleanor Bolza), for example, The Trade Flow of Timber in Australia, The Twisting of Corsican and Radiata Pine Telegraph Poles, and Characteristics, Properties and Uses of Timbers.  He has more than 68 Citations of which 8 were highly influential.

On retirement from CSIRO, Bill continued to take an active and leading role in the furtherance of wood science.

Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper provides a perfect summation of our former colleague and long-time IWSc stalwart, saying, ‘A man of integrity, humour and intellect. He loved all his family deeply, and was a valuable contributor to his community, his church, and scientific research.’