MCS was informed that Ian had passed away on 1 December 2010.

After Magdalen College School, Ian went to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied geography. After graduation, he spent several years living in Japan where he studied whilst also working as an English teacher. He developed a passion for all things Japanese and was to regret not emigrating permanently to that country. Whilst in Japan he met and eventually married Kaoru who is a native of Osaka in the Kansai region of Japan.

On returning to England my father made a bid to enter the diplomatic service and overcame a field of over 5000 candidates to be offered a post. Unfortunately he failed the medical and was unable to take up the position which was one of the major regrets of his life. Ambition thwarted he took a job he had little interest in as a university administrator at the University Of East Anglia in Norwich. Troubled by ill health, he eventually took early retirement.

Ian had two children with Kaora, Alison and Ralph, as well as two grandchildren Daniel and Lily. Lily was born after his death.

Obituary written by his son, Ralph Wilkins.