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It was with great sadness that we learn about John’s death, at age 75.

John has made many seminal contributions to electron optics, electron microscopy and, lately, to the development of the X-ray free-electron laser technology. Although his main contributions have been in materials science, his book on electron optics has been the Bible, as a thorough introduction and reference work, for electron microscopists in all fields of science.

John was one of John Cowley’s students at the University of Melbourne and inherited from him rigorous quantitative methods of diffraction physics, electron optics and materials science-oriented structure research.

Over the years he frequently sent me updates of his work as it unfolded in so many directions at the forefront of diffraction physics. His knowledge in all the areas related to electron microscopy was encyclopedic. I remember his engaging, witty presence – our last encounter was at a dinner party at his house on the hills in North Berkeley a few years ago, where he steered the conversation into the direction of contemporary literature and demanded to know from each of his guests a full account of books currently read.

John will be greatly missed.