We regret to report the death of George Cole, who died in September following a period of failing health.
George was secretary of the Illuminating Engineering Society for more than 30 years until its amalgamation with the IHVE in 1977 (to form the Chartered Institution of Building Services); he then ran the new Lighting Division until his retirement.
George was born in 1916 in South London. In 1932, he joined the public lighting section of the Gas Light and Coke company, joining the IES in 1936. Later, deciding that ‘discharge electric lighting’ was the future, he obtained a position with the Ministry of Transport working on aids to movement in a blackout. On one occasion, he arranged the complete blackout of a city in the Midlands so that visibility from the air could be accurately assessed.
During WWII, George spent six years in the army, including a spell in bomb disposal.
In 1946, he was taken on by John Dow – initially to help run a lighting symposium and then to assist on the Illuminating Engineer magazine. A few months later, he became secretary of the IES. To many members, for many years, George was the IES. A driving force for innovation, he ensured the Society’s place on the international lighting stage, founding key publications including the ever flourishing Lighting Research and Technology journal.
His funeral took place on 14 September at St James’ Church, Chipping Campden. CIBSE and the Society of Light and Lighting were represented by past chairmen/presidents Derek Phillips, David Loe and Jean Heap and by the society secretary, Jonathan David.
Source
Building Sustainable Design
