Newspaper Article 1993 – Chemical laboratory founder dies at 65

Chemical laboratory founder dies at 65

Godfrey Asbjorn Husheer, an industrial chemist and founder and manager of the Scientific Service Laboratory in Onekawa, died suddenly in Napier on Wednesday. He was 65.

Mr Husheer, the grandson of Gerhard Husheer, founder of the tobacco industry in New Zealand and the National Tobacco Company in Ahuriri, was born at Dr Moore’s hospital on Marine Parade, Napier.

He was educated at pre-school level by a governess who sparked his life-long love of mathematics. He then attended Port Ahuriri School and Napier Boys’ High School where he showed an aptitude for mathematics, chemistry and physics.

Mr Husheer graduated from Otago University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in chemistry.

He worked at a Hastings freezing works during the holidays and he developed strong links with his Maori workmates, especially Maori elder the late Mick Kauraria [Karauria]. He was subsequently “adopted” by Mr Kauraria and his wife Laura of the Ruahapia marae.

After university Mr Husheer worked for a Welsh chemical firm British Geon. He returned to New Zealand to join East Coast Farmers Fertiliser Works at Awatoto as production superintendent.

At the same time he helped his father Torvald and Uncle Ingolf Husheer at the Napier Galvanising Company in Onekawa where he perceived a demand for quality inorganic acid required in the preparation of metals for galvanising.

He established the Scientific Service Laboratory in 1954. It specialises in corrosive chemicals and consultancy work.

Mr Husheer was a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, the Royal Society and the Otago University Graduates’ Association.

He helped establish the Hawke’s Bay school science fair. He shared his father’s interest in gliding and was involved in the inception and development of the Hawke’s Bay airport.

Other hobbies were motorcycle racing and steam trains and engines.

A business and family friend Ross Jones said Mr Husheer was recognised and respected in the industrial and chemical area as a New Zealand leader.

Mr Husheer is survived by his wife Juliana, his sons Tye and Shamus and sister Vivienne.

A service will be held at St John’s Cathedral in Napier tomorrow. Those attending have been invited to attend a farewell function afterward in the Scientific Service Laboratory Mr Husheer founded.