John David Gwynn, chartered civil engineer, fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, died on November 21st last, aged 91. He was born on July 13th, 1907 in Dublin, and was educated at St Columba's College and at Trinity College, Dublin, graduating in 1930 (BAI). He worked as an undergraduate for Siemens on the Shannon hydro-electric scheme in 1928 and as a graduate for Mott Hay and Anderson (1930-1932), during which time he worked on the Newport Bridge, Middlesbrough. He later worked on the London Underground extension of the Picadilly Line (1936-1939) and joined Balfour Beatty in 1936.
During the second World War he was involved in Scottish hydroelectric development (1940-1942) and was in charge of building the Churchill Barriers in Scapa Flow, Orkney (1942-1944).
He continued to work on a variety of hydro-electric schemes at home and abroad, including the Kainji Dam Project in Nigeria in the 1960s, as chief engineer (19511972), becoming a director of Balfour Beatty (1963-1968) and of Engineering Power and Development Consultants (1967-1972). He was honoured with an MAI by TCD in 1966.
In his later years he became deeply interested in renewable energy, from large tidal power projects to very small run of river schemes. He was working on the latter until the end of his life.
He had a huge range of interests, including gardening, natural history, politics, theatre and music, and travelled extensively. He was still discussing current affairs on the day he died. He was a member of the Anglo-Malagasy Society and was very active in his church for more than 50 years, on the PCC and in helping to preserve the fabric of the church.
He was married twice, first to Grace Lee (died in 1964) and second to Esther Hulbert (died in 1996), celebrating a silver wedding with each. He leaves a son, Robin, and daughter Lee, and four grandchildren. L.M.