George Torkildsen, guru of the leisure industry, died yesterday (20 October) at the age of 71.

George has been called the founding father of the leisure profession and was a prolific writer, lecturer and teacher who worked tirelessly to improve standards and levels of professionalism in the industry.

He was author of Leisure and Recreation Management, the definitive academic journal for the industry and had recently updated the book to publish it in its sixth edition.

George was a former chair of World Leisure and an honourary life member of ILAM and ISRM.

His consultancy, Pickering Torkildsen, which he ran for years in partnership with the sports commentator Ron Pickering, worked on a range of projects for the delivery of sports and leisure buildings and strategies.

Following the death of Ron Pickering, this work was taken over by the Torkildsen Barclay partnership.

Those who knew George, loved him for his buoyant spirit and infectious enthusiasm and he will be sorely missed.