Remembering Stephen Salter 1938 - 2024

Stephen Hugh Salter, Professor of Engineering Design at the University of Edinburgh, craftsman, problem solver, multi-disciplinary engineer, inventor, teacher and thinker, died on Friday 23 February 2024, at the age of 85. Globally recognised as the ‘father’ of wave energy, multidirectional wave tanks and high-power digital hydraulics, he made practical contributions to a wide range of challenges, particularly in the fields of renewable energy and climate change.  He is survived by his brother Edmund, and his nieces Katharine, Fiona and Morag, and follows closely in the wake of his beloved wife Margaret Donaldson.

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To leave a tribute, click ‘Send a Thought'. 'Add a Picture' to share a photo of Stephen, or something that was inspired by his work. ‘Add a Story' to contribute an anecdote.

Thoughts

Hugh (as he was known to me) was my first boyfriend. I met him in 1960 when he was an apprentice at the Saunders-Roe Training School in East Cowes, where I lived. My parents liked Hugh and I remember my Dad giving him a glass of Teacher's whisky. Hugh smoked Black Sobranie in his pipe and drove a Riley. He seemed very sophisticated to me. I remember him fondly as a very kind and thoughtful person. Later in life I contacted him and we exchanged emails, reflecting on our lives since the 60's.
Jan Barrett (nee Hockin)
26th July 2024
Stephen’s name was well-known to me years ago in connection with wave-energy and his wonderful and super-efficient ‘ducks’. But much more recently, a developing interest on my part in the technology of Marine Cloud Brightening and its huge potential, led me very naturally to his door. While Stephen was always fair and modest in his acknowledgement of major early contributors to the field like Sean Twomey and John Latham, it strikes me now that it is Stephen himself who is the overarching architect and champion of this technology. And, incidentally, I truly believe that this technology could be the key to saving our planet! I have been fortunate enough and privileged enough to have had ongoing communication with Stephen about many aspects of this technology since the summer of last year. While I was a mere layman and novice to the field, he was greatly generous with his time as I sought to grapple with the most important concepts. And I got the chance to meet him in person too, at his home. My sense of him was that here was a man on the one hand both kindly and down-to-earth, on the other hand, quite clearly nothing less than a great and unique visionary. Alf Thomé 17th April 2024
17th April 2024
Originally with Professor John Lathom (Salford University). Professor Salter made a compelling case for 'Marine Cloud Brightening', having worked out the fine scientific detail of this Geoengineering technique. It may yet be fully endorsed, and allow the possibility to save Mankind. This could be his fitting legacy.
Alan Robinson
11th April 2024
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