Andy McKinlay 18/8/56 - 7/9/01 - a tribute

Staff from every department across the University were shocked and saddened to hear of the death of university photographer Andy McKinlay at the age of 45, after a short battle against cancer. Andy was well known and warmly regarded throughout the campus community for his gentle, kindly and ever-obliging manner, and will be widely missed.

Steven Welsh, director of media services, where Andy was technical manager, was one of the last to see him on the evening of Friday 7 September at Ninewells Hospital before he slipped away peacefully. He said:

"Whilst contemplating joining the University in 1997, I rang Andy McKinlay, whom I had known for several years, to ask what it was like "you'll be busy" came the stark reply. Andy liked to keep everything that simple, much preferring work to talking about work.

His boundless energy, fuelled regularly by a cigarette and an alarmingly strong coffee, enabled him to work long days at a frenetic pace. His work took him to every corner of the University at all times of day - it was nothing to see him spend the evening at home with his family in Coupar Angus, return to Dundee at ten o'clock to take a couple of photographs of a cheque presentation, and get back home in time for last orders at the "White Hoose".

Andy had many interests outside of his work. He was devoted to his wife Elaine and daughters Julia and Alison. Within his local community he ran the Coupar Angus Adult Education Service, the Gala committee and supported the activities of the Scouts and Guides.

Known for his cheeriness and "can do" attitude, Andy will be long remembered with fondness in the University. My own lasting memory of him will be the immense courage with which he, and his family, faced his final illness, though given his 'got to get on' approach to life I suppose I should not have been surprised.

In recognition of Andy's contribution to University life, an annual Andy McKinlay award has been established, to be presented to a student who most closely displays the qualities and professionalism associated with Andy. I was able to present Andy with a letter confirming the award only hours before he died. It was received with gratitude, humility and ...rest assured Andy's wry humour stayed with him until his final hours!

Andy is sorely missed by us all in media services and across the whole University."

Andy was born in Musselburgh and educated at Dalkeith High School where he was a prefect and sports vice captain. After a one year course in engineering at Napier he decided to pursue photography and completed a three year diploma at the school of photography in Birmingham where he won the food photography award presented by Cadburys. After a two year stint with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in London he moved to north east England to start his own business, taking a driving job to supplement finances. In 1984 he joined the University as photographic technician, a move which allowed him to return to Scotland with his wife Elaine and the first born of his two daughters Julia and Alison- his parents were by this time living at Broughty Ferry. His career progressed over the following years and he became technical manager of media services in 1993.

There can be no department that did not have contact with Andy over the 17 years he worked for the University. Photographs, slides, presentations, IT - Andy was always ready to help - often working most unsociable hours and to ridiculous deadlines. His quiet, unassuming and modest manner won him many friends. It is perhaps typical that in bringing together material for this tribute in Contact we struggled to find a picture of Andy himself. A tiny sample of the thousands of shots he took over the years are presented here as a tribute.

Before he died Andy arranged his own service with University Chaplain Fiona Douglas. Our sympathies go to his family and to his colleagues, especially those in media services who worked so closely with him.

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