Ivor G.M.G. Dorward ARSA 1927 -1983

 Ivor Dorward was a well-liked and highly respected member of the Glasgow architectural community for many years, although he came to us from Edinburgh where he trained in the School of Architecture in the College of Art. He worked there too for a short time, in the office of Harley Haddow, before moving to Glasgow to join the firm of Keppie, Henderson, Gleave and Partners.

Later he left with Joe Gleave to found the firm of Dorward, Matheson, Gleave and Partners, where he was a senior partner for over 20 years, only retiring in January this year when ill-health made it impossible to carry on.

In his professional life he attained much distinction, firstly as an Andrew Grant scholarship winning student in the Edinburgh College, later gaining the Gold Medal of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1971, subsequently in 1979 being elected an Associate. He was also elected a Fellow of both the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

His major building works were in the field of education and health. His hospital work is well known,in particular the General Hospital in Fort William; and in Glasgow University the Geology building and the Boyd Orr buildings will be his lasting memorials in that city.

lvor was a man who gave generously of his time in the service of the community. He was an enthusiastic member of the Saltire Society concerned to improve the quality of ordinary building in Scotland, and served as Chairman of the Housing Award Panel. His concern for the quality of architecture in Scotland also led to his appointment as a Royal Fine Art Commissioner in Scotland and it would be fair to say that in his term the Commission has become quite outspoken in its pursuit of higher standards.

He gave great service too, both as President and Treasurer of the Artists’ Benevolent Fund, to that Curious and proudly surviving institution the Glasgow Art Club—yet more proof if it were needed of the genuine concern for culture and the arts which is the hallmark of the true Glaswegian (even an adopted one like Ivor).

In this connection he was proud when the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Art, on whose council he served, elected him an R.G1I. But it is not only for his service to his fellow man, or his achievements in his art that he will be remembered, but also for himself, as a friendly and approachable man, popular with his acquaintances, open in his enjoyment of life, and this is where we will all miss him.

Ivor was a kindly and caring man, a nice man, and my memory focuses in particular on his friendship and his affection for my late senior partner, Jack Coia and his wife Edie, esspecially in Jack's later years. We will miss him for his friendship, his kindness, and his counsel. 

RSA Obituary by A. Mac M. Transribed by the 1983 RSA Annual Report