William Nicholas Hitchon

William Nicholas Guy Hitchon (22 October 1957 – 23 July 2023), commonly known as Nick Hitchon, was a nuclear fusion scientist and professor at the University of Wisconsin.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Hitchon was born in Skipton, West Riding of Yorkshire (now North Yorkshire), the eldest of three sons to Iona (née Hall) and Guy Hitchon.[3][4] He was educated at Ermysted's Grammar School from 1968 to 1975.[3] Later, he earned a bachelor's and master's degree in physics from Oxford University and a D.Phil. in engineering science from the same university.[3][5]

Hitchon's personal life included two marriages, first to Jacqui Bush in 1979, which ended in divorce, and later to Cryss Brunner in 2001.[3]

Career

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In 1964, Hitchon was featured as a child in the Seven Up! documentary for ITV's World in Action series.[2][3] His life was periodically revisited in subsequent episodes by director Michael Apted until 2019.[3][6]

In 1982, Hitchon joined the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in the department of electrical and computer engineering.[3][5] He became a professor in 1994 and served as the department chair from 1999 to 2002.[3][5] In 2022, he took retirement.[7] During his tenure, he authored three books.[3]

Bibliography

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  • Plasma Processes for Semiconductor Fabrication

References

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  1. ^ Hitchon, Andrew (27 August 2023). "Nick Hitchon obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b Genzlinger, Neil (28 August 2023). "Nicholas Hitchon, Who Aged 7 Years at a Time in 'Up' Films, Dies at 65". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Obituaries, Telegraph (22 August 2023). "Nick Hitchon, nuclear scientist whose life's ups and downs were charted in the documentary series Seven Up! – obituary". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Nicholas Hitchon obituary". The Times. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Remembering Professor William "Nick" Hitchon". 7 August 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Nicholas Hitchon Dies: British Farm Boy Whose Life Was Chronicled in 'Up' Documentary Series Was 65". 29 August 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  7. ^ "ECE Professor William (Nick) Hitchon retires". 11 July 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.