David Taplin
Obituary
David Michael Robert Taplin was born in Chesterfield, England, on July 19, 1939, and died on May 31, 2022, in Lynn Valley, BC, Canada.
Educated at Christ’s Hospital School in Sussex, England (1950-57), he became a materials engineer with a DPhil (Oxford), DSc (Aston), MA (Dublin) and was Professor of Engineering & Head, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and also held similar roles as a university professor in Australia, India, Canada, California & Singapore.
He published some 200 books and research papers in the field of fracture mechanics, structural integrity, metallurgy, and industrial ecology. He was President Emeritus of the International Congress on Fracture (2010 Japan), Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College Dublin (1992 Ireland), and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials (1974 UK). Survivors include daughters Louise (Somerset), Alison (Devon) & Tessa (Madrid-Paco) and sons Justin (San Francisco-Kate) & Toby (Vancouver-Ann), grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sailing, Rugby, Bridge & Poetry were amongst his passions - and above all, the immense joys of Family – and wonderful, enduring Friends.