THE funeral service takes place next week of the popular former head of the University of Southampton, who has died aged 81.

Tributes have been paid to Sir Gordon Higginson, who was vice-chancellor at the university between 1985 and his retirement in 1994.

Sir Gordon’s funeral service will take place at Highfield Church at 12pm on Monday.

He oversaw the development of several key research facilities, including the Optoelectronics Research Centre, Southampton Oceanography Centre and the Environmental Epidemiology Unit, as well as the University Science Park at Chilworth.

In 1988 Sir Gordon, a father of five who lived in Southampton with wife Marjorie, authored a report calling for education of 16 to 18-year-olds to be broadened, but despite receiving widespread support it was ignored in favour of retaining A levels by Margaret Thatcher’s government.

Southampton’s current vicechancellor, Professor Don Nutbeam, said: “Under his administration Southampton invested wisely in education and research facilities and his legacy can be seen across all our campuses.”

Bernard Naylor, the university’s Librarian in the 1980s and 90s, said: “Gordon was at ease with people at all levels of the university. All were treated with the same unfailing warmth and courtesy, and all were given the feeling that their efforts were valued.”