Former pupils’ tribute to maths teacher Bill

A GROUP of former Harris Academy pupils who excelled in mathematics have paid tribute to the teacher who inspired their careers.

Bill Rollo, who taught at the Dundee school in the 1950s and 1960s, died in April 1984.

Now, 40 years after his death, his sixth-year mathematics class of 1959-60 have told how he encouraged them to follow careers in the area.

Of the 10 pupils, seven went on to complete degrees in mathematics and two in engineering, all at St Andrews University.

The group say they found Mr Rollo “greatly inspirational” as he provided challenging problems to “stimulate” minds.

Allan Gall began his career by teaching maths, with Mr Rollo as

his head of department. He moved on to be head of maths at Nairn Academy and ended his career as depute rector of Carnoustie High.

Graeme Fairweather gained a PhD from St Andrews and held a lectureship in mathematics before emigrating to America where he held academic posts at Rice University in Houston and later Kentucky University.

He also held an executive position with the American Mathematical Society in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

John Moon entered the manufacturing industry, spending time in factory management in electronic components, computer and mobile phone manufacture.

Pat Forbes started as a maths teacher at Morgan Academy, lectured in statistics at Aberdeen College of Commerce and finished her career as a lecturer in statistics at Robert Gordon University (RGU).

Similarly, Alex Wilson began as a maths teacher at Dundee High

School, gained an MSc in statistics from Dundee University then lectured in statistics at RGU and ended his career as depute head of computing at RGU.

Ken McGregor started his career teaching maths at Stranraer High then spent nine years at an MoD school at RAF Episkopi, Cyprus, progressing to head of department.

On returning to Dundee, he finished his career as head of maths and computing at Dundee College.

Roger Knox gained an MSc in computer science at Heriot- Watt

University and became a senior lecturer in business computing there before serving as an information analyst with the Scottish Social Services Council. Two graduated in engineering. Bruce Frazer, who died in 2011, worked for Rolls-Royce in the UK and Montreal, while Bruce Ramsay graduated in electrical engineering and lectured in the subject at Dundee University.

He earned a PhD at Dundee and as a senior lecturer led a research group in electrical power engineering.

‘GREATLY INSPIRATIONAL’: The former Harris Academy pupils, below, gathered to pay tribute to teacher Bill Rollo who died 40 years ago.