Our Dixie, as we like to remember him, passed away on 24 July at the age of 86. He was given a fond farewell at his funeral on 9 August, where many were gathered from his family, neighbours and those associated with him during his working life.
He was born in Cambridge and grew up in the area. He attained degrees in pharmacology and biochemistry and took on medical duties on a troop ship during the war. His career provided his first insight into packaging at Boots and followed with a number of years at Fisons.
It was inevitable that Dixie would become involved with the Institute of Packaging which he joined a few years after its 1947 inauguration. His main interest was education and he created the first East Midlands Diploma course in Nottingham, and soon extended this to 6 other centres in the Midlands.
At each venue he gave most of the lectures as well as presenting papers at various conferences and seminars in the UK and overseas. It has been stated that he gave over 6000 lectures in his time, surely a record. His last one was in 2003 when I was running the only remaining Diploma course in the Midlands at Nottingham. I first met Dixie when he was lecturing at the course held in Sussex in the early 60’s. No one could forget his infectious laugh and his passion for all the packaging he taught.
Needless to say he had many other interests in packaging and chaired the competitions and examiners, as well as his time as chair of education. In 1969 Dixie was one of the early members awarded Fellowship. Having been a member of National Council for a while it was only a question of time before he became national chairman in 1978/79. He subsequently became a trustee and was finally honoured with a Life Fellowship.
Quite naturally Dixie was involved in other areas within the pharmaceutical arena and with British standards. He was also a member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Packaging Division prior to the merger of the Institute of Packaging in 2005. In 2008, as a member of the Packaging Society, we were delighted to present him with the T B Marsden Award for his exceptional services to the world of packaging.
During what little spare time he had, Dixie was a keen and accomplished photographer, including his own processing. He also enjoyed model railways, part of being a good father I believe.
A number of years ago Dixie generously gave a bursary to help overseas students with their packaging education which to this day holds his name. I last saw Dixie a few months ago and enjoyed some time talking about packaging. He lamented the lack of packaging skills and the small uptake on our diploma course – 12 or so on the course compared with 30 or more in his day. He was also astute in recognising the future trends in packaging to be in recycling and the environment.
Dixie was married in 1953 to Marion, but sadly they went their separate ways in 1977. However the children are very much active and successful and looked after Dixie over the last few years. Our condolences go to Kevin, Roger, Beverley, Lynn and of course Marion who was able to attend the funeral.
Dixie was a giant in the packaging world and a tireless advocate. He will go down in the history of packaging as a true legend and we were lucky that he passed our way. Dixie will be sadly missed but forever remembered.
Keith Barnes
Chairman, The Packaging Society
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