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17th October 2008, 02:32 PM
I am posting with sad news that Bill Putnam passed away in Dorchester Hospital on Tuesday night.
Bill founded the study of archaeology at Weymouth College in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The transfer of what was the HND Practical Archaeology to the Dorset Institute in 1983-4 laid the foundations for the School of Conservation Sciences and the subsequent development of the degree programmes in Heritage Conservation and Archaeology arguably provided the bedrock for the transformation of the Institute first to Polytechnic and then to Bournemouth University status. It was appropriate when Bill was granted an Honorary Doctorate for his services to both the School and the University. A great number of colleagues and students had the honour of working alongside Bill on many of his Dorset projects; we all learned from and were inspired by him.
We will all miss him greatly.
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17th October 2008, 02:55 PM
I am sure we would all like to offer our sincere condolences.
Is there any tribute planned.
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
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17th October 2008, 04:43 PM
I was a student on the HND in Practical Archaeology at Yeovil college and was
honoured to have met, and been taught by Bill. He has had an influence on
the careers of many professional archaeologists, giving us a practical footing
in which to start working in this profession. He had the energy of someone
half his age and is a great loss to archaeology in this country. My thoughts
are with his family.
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17th October 2008, 10:18 PM
I had the privilege and great pleasure of working with Bill for more than ten years. In the classroom he had a breadth of vision, interests, and skills to bring a subject alive, whether it was Roman Britain or how to plan an excavation. In the field he was, quite simply, inspirational. When you add to this his work with the CBA and archaeological societies, extra-mural classes Bill set hundreds of people on the right archaeological road in a way that few other people could match.He was one of the first to see the need for professional degree level training in the practicalities of archaeology.His chairmanship of the Trust for Wessex Archaeology laid foundations for the rest of profesional archaeology to follow. He had an openness of mind and curiosity for new techniques, an insistance on high standards of work and a sympathy for his students (and colleagues) and a humility that are truly wonderful.
Our thoughts go to his family
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20th October 2008, 10:46 AM
I understand that colleagues will be arranging some form of memorial/celebration so I will keep the you posted.
I was on the HND between 1989 and 1991 when the Uni was still the Dorset Institute of Higher Education. It was one of the happiest times, I was with a great group of students and we were taught, supported and inspired by Bill, John and Alan.
Bill was always enthusiatic and had a wicked sense of humour, he also cared very much about his students. He was able to really bring his subject to life because he was so passionate about it. You could always count on Bill for breathtakingly wicked annecdote with each lecture - which made them all the more memorable!
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20th October 2008, 02:19 PM
The year above me all came in one day (I think it was after the Wednesday student night at the ski lodge in Yeovil) all a bit worse for wear. Bill was giving a lecture and flicking through slides with no real signs of life from the class. All of a sudden he turns round and says "And here is a slide of my wife in the bath..." Everyone suddenly wakes up and stares at the projector screen "...at Pompei" He finishes before giggling to himself.
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24th October 2008, 11:41 AM
As you may have read in the other post the latest news is there is to be a private ceremony on 6th November with a memorial gathering at Stratton village hall at 2.00pm - but I think John, Alan and Iain will be organising something more with more notice for ex-students to celebrate Bill's life and career at a later date, details will be posted when known.
It has been wonderful to read all the memories of peoples time with Bill, on this and on 'another archaeological mailbase forum'. Truly an acheivement to still be able to bring a smile to peoples faces even at a sad time.
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29th October 2008, 08:46 PM
Have only just spotted this as I`ve been away. What a great shame and a huge loss for his family, friends and the profession at large. Bill was the man who interviewed me for entrance onto the degree course at Bournemouth and after graduation, I was fortunate enough to consult him on all things Roman during a stint at the Dorchester Roman Townhouse. A genuine lovely man and a goldmine of information. God bless him.
..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)
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30th October 2008, 11:51 AM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by troll
Have only just spotted this as I`ve been away. What a great shame and a huge loss for his family, friends and the profession at large. Bill was the man who interviewed me for entrance onto the degree course at Bournemouth and after graduation, I was fortunate enough to consult him on all things Roman during a stint at the Dorchester Roman Townhouse. A genuine lovely man and a goldmine of information. God bless him.
..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)
Much the same as the above, just returned to see this news.
Very sad indeed.
