Emeritus Professor Stanley William Edward Earles

Emeritus Professor Stanley William Edward Earles died on 11 May 2024 at the age of 95, after an illustrious career in mechanical engineering.

Nurturing a love of engineering at King’s

On leaving school in 1944, Stanley became an apprentice and then a production engineer with the Nuffield Company and Morris Commercial Cars Ltd. By 1950, he realised the benefits of an engineering degree and took up a place at King’s. Here, he achieved a first-class degree and was awarded a prestigious Jelf Medal.

As an undergraduate, Stanley was an active member of the King’s College London Engineering Society, serving as its President from 1952-53. He was also one of the first residents of Halliday Hall on Clapham Common, where he met his wife-to-be, Margaret, at a dance held there.

An illustrious career

Stanley stayed on campus after graduating, before joining the Royal Navy Scientific Service in 1954. In 1955, he began a lecturing post at Queen Mary College, University of London (where he completed his doctorate), progressing to Reader in 1969 and Professor in 1975.

Stanley returned to King’s one year later to take on the role as Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He also worked as Dean of Engineering of the University of London from 1986-90, where he made history as the University’s first Head of the School of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

Throughout his career, Stanley’s teaching and engineering talents earned him numerous accolades. In 1977, he was awarded his Doctor of Science in Engineering by the University of London. Stanley received the James Clayton Fund prize in 1967, and the Engineering Applied to Agriculture award in 1980, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to engineering.

Other highlights include becoming a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE), and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) in 1992. From 1989-93, he served as a Governor of the University of Hertfordshire, the former Hatfield Polytechnic.

Stanley’s service to King’s was recognised in 1993, when he was elected a Fellow of King’s College (FKC).

The later years

Stanley was a keen member of the King’s College London Engineers Association (KCLEA) and served as its President from 2002-4. At the 2009 KCLEA annual general meeting he was presented with its ‘13 Club Trophy’ for service to the Division of Engineering and KCLEA. In the early 90s, he strongly opposed the proposal to discontinue mechanical engineering at King’s, thereby ensuring the Department would continue for another 18 years.  In 1994, Stanley stepped down from his role at King’s to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

In his spare time, Stanley was a reader at his local parish church and was a trustee of the Wormley Parochial Charity until May 2019. Gardening and real tennis were among his other interests.

Much-loved by staff, students and alumni alike, Stanley will be remembered for his strength of character and his outstanding contribution to King’s Engineering Department. Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues, and loved ones.

Details of this obituary were provided by KCLEA.