From Adrian Ling
18 January 2005 14:01
It is with deep regret we announce that our father Arthur Ling passed away in the early hours of 18th January 2005. Many, through his work and life interests, knew our Dad. He was a private man, uncomfortable in the public arena, but who reached out to many, touched and influenced them with his life style and views. His life and relationships were shaped by a strong sense of direction, distinct unwaving and uncompromising views on many subjects. It is these attributes that helped him to forge a way for the vegan lifestyle to be recognised in the face of much social unawareness.
He was not one for social norms, indulging in almost anti-establishment activities with unassuming relish from an early age. To his parents' horror, he became a vegan at the age of seven (in 1926 veganism was completely unheard of) when he witnessed a fish being killed at the seaside. He spent a lifetime promoting the vegan ideal.
His views on many subjects were essentially liberal. He was anti-war, egalitarian, a supporter of 'the common man'. A lover of the outdoors he was an active Naturist, known to many in his home village for his early morning swims in the sea. He was also a lover of sports, played tennis and badminton for many decades and in the 1970's founded and ran a local boys football club.
An accountant by profession he was involved in his first commercial project in the post war years. A company called Sunoil, based in Wales, was created to produce biodeisel from Sunflowers. Unfortunately this project was 50 years ahead of its time and did not enjoy commercial success. He is known by most for is work at
PLAMIL and the Vegan Society. From his association with the Vegan Society in the 1950's he joined a group interested in producing a non-dairy milk, which eventually became Plantmilk Ltd, later changing to Plamil Foods Ltd, to which he dedicated himself. It produced in 1965 the first widely distributed Soya milk, a true achievement and again far ahead of its time. At retirement age in the 1980's, he continued to work actively for many years, being honoured with a number of 'lifetime' achievement awards. Whilst still participating in running the company he latterly and gradually dedicated himself more and more to research of the nutritional aspects of the vegan diet, his true love and passion.
He was made virtually house bound in the spring of 2004, by a rare skin disorder, known to be a symptom of the gradual breakdown of the immune system and cause of depression. In November 2004 he was admitted to hospital with a serious heart condition. Struggling with complications he died peacefully in his sleep.
He leaves us, his three children, Julie Trevor and Adrian.
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