Obituary: Professor John Harper, Vice-Chair of University Court
It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the death of our serving Vice-Chair of Court, Professor John Harper, on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
John was born and raised in Wick, before studying at the University of Aberdeen, gaining an Honours Degree and thereafter, a PhD in Chemistry. He then embarked on a career in higher education that spanned 47-years, beginning as a lecturer at the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology and progressing to the Head of School of Applied Sciences.
It was in the role of Head of School that John attained the award of Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry. John progressed to the role of Assistant Principal/Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care, and thereafter to roles of Vice Principal, and subsequently Deputy Principal, with specific responsibility for Academic Quality and Development. John was appointed as Principal of Robert Gordon University in 2018 and served in that role for two years before his retirement in 2020.
John joined the University Court of Queen Margaret University in December 2020 and was elected to the role of Vice-Chair of Court in October 2022. John was an active and engaged member of the Court right up to the final meeting he was able to attend in December. John will be remembered not only for his accomplishments and his dedication to higher education, but for his kindness, gentle good humour, and unwavering belief that universities should be judged by what they do and what they achieve.
We will feel John’s loss deeply. We send our sincere condolences to John’s loving wife Hilary, and to John’s family and friends.
Irene Hynd
Vice-Principal and University Secretary
Secretary to the University Court
