from the Journal of Pathological Bacteriology, Vol. 93, No. 1, January 1967.

Alan Goffe led life to the full; he had great charm and the unique facility of transmitting his gay and infectious enthusiasm to all with whom he came in contact. His sudden accidental death [August 1966] thus makes the world seem to his friends and colleagues an emptier place and his staff, aided by his informal manner, regarded him as a friend; many were the times when he made considerable personal efforts on their behalf. His devotion to science was, however, only part of his whole life for he found time to follow a wide range of interests. Most outstanding was his sincere and deep-felt support of humanitarian causes, such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Freedom from Hunger and the United Nations Association, and he was active in work for these both in his home town of Sevenoaks and elsewhere. He believed that spectacular gestures would sometimes fortify his argument. There was an occasion when he uttered a warning that his activities on behalf of the CND might put him in prison, and he was only deterred when he was persuaded that he could better serve humanity as a scientist and could contribute more by successfully producing poliomyelitis vaccine. The arts, and particularly music, were a continuing interest and relaxation. In the field of sport he was active on the squash court and cricket field. Sailing, which was to bring about his death, was the latest of his many interests.

His family life, for he was devoted to his family, provided rich background. Foreign visiting scientists always found a warm welcome to his home, where Sunday lunch provided an introduction to the English home for many others from overseas, of all races, creeds and professions. The tragic death two years previously of his son, Hugh, a schoolboy at Sevenoaks School, led, characteristically, to the opening of a memorial fund to enable children from overseas to study for a period in England.