It is with great sadness that we record the death of Rod Wootten on Friday 8th November 2013. Rod joined the Institute of Aquaculture from the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen in October 1988 and worked as Assistant Director to Ron Roberts and then Deputy Director to Randolph Richards until his retiral in August 2011. Rod loved the Institute and played a key role in our development over this period and his wise counsel, outstanding patience and ready support will have been experienced by many reading these words. He was a leading proponent of the use of an 'open-door' policy in encouraging a collegiate atmosphere within the department and encouraged close interaction at all staffing levels, ensuring strong teamwork and motivation which has remained the hallmark of the Institute. Rod also worked with Prof Chris Sommerville, and contributed to developing the outstanding reputation of the Institute in the area of fish parasitology, one of his enduring interests. Indeed, as Assistant Editor of the Journal of Fish Diseases he had a guiding influence on the academic development of the sector.

Rod always remained level-headed and calm in the face of controversy and was a master at defusing potentially explosive situations. A large number of Masters and Doctoral students passed through his hands and all benefitted from his experience, knowledge and keen intellect. Many now hold very senior positions in academia and the aquaculture industry throughout the world. He tutored large numbers of international students and was very active in exchanges and joint programmes overseas and was a first-class ambassador for the University of Stirling. His passing has created a great sense of loss amongst his friends and colleagues.

His loss creates a great gap in all our lives.