Dr. John Peter Durham, 79, of Morgantown, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2021, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. He was born in Oxford, England, on Aug. 9, 1941, to Henry Durham and Germaine Bourderias. He attended Magdalen College School then studied biochemistry at Christ Church, Oxford University, graduating in 1964. In 1965, he married Angela Bruce and they moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he studied for a Ph.D. in biochemistry at Ohio State University. After postdoctoral studies at the Fels Research Institute at Temple University in Philadelphia, he returned to the U.K. to accept a position at the University of Glasgow. He was recruited to WVU in 1980 as a research associate professor in the Departments of Surgery and Biochemistry and in 1984 was promoted to professor of biochemistry.
For many years, he taught advanced biochemistry to graduate students and was known for the way he pronounced “al-u-minium,” his jolly booming laugh and for always advocating for the student’s best interests. He retired from WVU in 2006 after 26 years.
John came from a long line of grocers and worked in the Covered Market in Oxford as a young man. He was known for his culinary skills and put his research acumen to work in finding the best deals on wines from around the world. He loved going to the Strip District in Pittsburgh and picking a variety of meats and cheeses for the Christmas spread.
He enjoyed music and the arts and he and Angela attended the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet for over 35 years. He enjoyed English premier league soccer and rugby union and yearly watched the Tour de France with great interest. He was a keen follower of current events, especially Brexit, politics and health science issues.
He was a fun father to three children, taking them to parks and Loch Lomond in Scotland then state and national parks and amusement parks in America. He loved animals and the house was always occupied by rescue cats and dogs. He was affectionately known as El Capitan at home.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Angela; his daughter, Emma; his son, Nic; his daughter-in-law, Linda Tracey; his sister Jane and many nephews and nieces in England. He is preceded in death by his son Ben and brothers Clive and Maurice.
Hastings Funeral Home/Omega Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
