On 25 April 2021 Frederick Warwick Michael Stentiford passed away peacefully at his home in Boyton, Suffolk. 

Fred was 74 years old and was married to his wife, Pauline for over 48 years. Fred leaves two sons, Gerald and Andrew and four grandchildren Tom, Jess, Arthur and Astrid.

Fred was an intelligent man dedicating his life to research and academia.  Over the course of his career he published over 75 research papers and was an inventor on over 30 patents. He worked at Plessy, BT and UCL continuing his research of different ways for computers to recognise words and images.  People are still citing his earlier research to this day.   

He was generous in sharing his time and knowledge helping many students gain their PhDs - even after he had retired from UCL.

Many years ago Fred googled his own name and unbeknownst to him realised that some of his early research was now in textbooks. To his great delight this was being referred to as the "Stentiford thinning algorithm".  It is clear that his research and patents will be part of his legacy.   

Perhaps outside academia others might remember Fred as being a generous man giving his time up for many different local groups and interests.  He worked hard over the years being greatly involved in the community in both Hollesley and Boyton villages.  

Whether it was being churchwarden, bellringer, church treasurer (for over 40 years at Boyton!), school governor, parish councillor, chairman, fete organiser, broadband activist, he was tireless at providing his advice and lending his experience.   

He spent years sharing his love of technology with the children at Bawdsey primary school introducing them to robotics and computers with Lego.  Some of those children are now grown up and have become engineers themselves. 

Local churches, schools, village projects and many more benefited from his generosity.  He was always happy to help and give advice. He will undoubtedly be missed in the villages he so loved.

On 30 October 2018 Fred was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease.  As you may know MND is a difficult disease severely affecting different people in different ways.  For Fred this was no different.  MND affected many parts of Fred's life including mobility, speech and breathing.  

Since his diagnosis, Fred was cared for at home by Pauline as his health declined.  The Motor Neuron Disease Association have been an incredible help to Fred and his family over the last few years.  They have made Fred's life so much easier giving him the care and guidance in dealing with this difficult disease.

We would be very grateful if you are able to make a donation in the memory of Fred and help the MNDA continue their valuable work.  Fred felt strongly about research and development and therefore we have asked MNDA that any money raised goes towards research and development for MND.

Fred was still thinking about research even a few days before he sadly passed away.