Dr James Hart, former Aberdeen marathon runner, author and university lecturer, has died aged 81.
Born on November 11 1940 in Glasgow but raised in Dalbeattie, James Watnell Hart attended Kirkcudbright Academy.
At 17 he began studying at Glasgow University in the botany department where he received a first class honours degree.
Aberdeen University
In 1955 he met his future wife Leona Andrasek from Glenluce at The Cally Hotel in Gatehouse of Fleet. They married in 1963 and James completed his doctorate in 1966 presenting his thesis, Studies of Seed Dormancy and Germination in Avena Sativa.
On completion of his PhD he did a two-year post-doctorate fellowship at Michigan State University’s Plant Research laboratory headed by Professor Anton Lang (FRS).
He returned to the UK where he took on a scientific post at Unilever in Bedfordshire. However, he quickly missed university life and also wanted to return to Scotland.
In 1967 he was offered the post of lecturer at Aberdeen University. He and his family moved to Bucksburn where James wrote two books, Light And Plant Growth, and Plant Tropisms.
Passion for fitness
He also developed a keen interest in health and fitness, which he happily shared with his students. If he wasn’t working in the laboratory he would almost certainly be found in the gym.
As a result of his love of fitness he joined Aberdeen University Rugby Club and he also penned a book called 100% Fitness.
In August 1987 he was interviewed by the Evening Express about the content of the 128-page book.
James said: “Even if you never want to run a marathon, climb every mountain or swim from Alaska to Siberia, you would have to be a beyond redemption slob not to have some regard for the well being of the body you live in.
“Surely you too would like to be or just feel fitter; perhaps shed a few pounds from the waistline or nether regions. Unfortunately, like everything else worthwhile in life, you must be prepared to work for the best results.”
Marathon running
He and Leona were members of the Aberdeen Athletic Club and enjoyed the newly emerging marathon experience.
In a newspaper article from the 80s the couple spoke about the upcoming London Marathon.
The report read: “Togetherness is running – and swapping sympathy over each other’s injuries afterwards. That’s the outlook of Bucksburn couple James and Leona Hart, who are off to London this weekend for the biggest running event in Britain – the London Marathon.
“They have both run in Aberdeen marathons after taking up jogging a few years ago. Now they are hoping they can beat their previous running times.”
Archive records also showed that the pair finished the Aberdeen Milk Marathon one after the other in 1986.
Retirement
James opted for early retirement from Aberdeen University in 1990.
He returned to his beloved Galloway where he made wood carvings from driftwood found as he wandered the beaches.
He and his wife enjoyed the beauty of the Southern Scottish countryside and frequently visited their caravan by the sea.
Dr James Watnell Hart is survived by his wife Leona and his children Malcolm, Kirsten and Gordon.
You can read the family’s announcement here.
Conversation