Dr. John Trotman

Dr. John Trotman, PhD, 93, of Wilmington, DE, died December 3, 2025. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gwawr Thomas Trotman; his parents William Geoffrey Trotman and Margaret Beryl Rees Trotman of Llanharan, South Wales; his sister, Marion Trotman Jenkins of Guildford, England.

John was educated first at Cowbridge Grammar School in South Wales, UK and proceeded to the University of Wales, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and then PhD in Physical-Organic Chemistry. After a 2-year period in contract for the British Atomic Energy Commission working on the effects of corrosion in liquid-metal reactors, he participated in a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the College of Forestry at Syracuse University in New York.

Following the fellowship, he began his 32 years of service to DuPont. During his years he supervised pioneering research on materials such as Kevlar, Nomex, and Sontara. He also performed managerial and clerical duties for numerous laboratories and capital projects regarding other experimental fibers. After retiring from DuPont, John continued to channel his interests in science and innovation through his substitute teaching throughout New Castle County Delaware and his participation in the American Chemical Society.

By some, John was more well-known for his love of gardening, and particularly his roses. The deer especially loved the rose garden he kept at his home; so much so that he eventually had to switch to growing broad beans instead. And if he wasn’t gardening, he was likely enjoying a game of Cricket, which he played at a club level into his 50’s, or watching a game of rugby or American football while enjoying a pint. Of course, he also loved his singing. He began in church choirs in his youth and grew into a fan of opera, to which he always encouraged his faithful companions Ian, Louie, and Evan to howl along.

Left to cherish his memory are four children: Geoffrey Trotman, Robert Trotman, Jennifer Freeseman, and William Trotman. He was especially proud of his grandchildren: David Heitur, Rick Trotman, Heather McQueen, Allison Stoner, Emily Laffey, Elizabeth Huberman, William Trotman, Anna Grace Trotman, Lydia Trotman, and Adam Trotman; great-grandchildren Alyssa Roberts, Benjamin Heitur, Nikole Roberts, Colin Trotman, Oliver Trotman, Spencer Trotman, Leah Huberman and Genevieve Laffey.

If you would like to continue to honor John’s memory through a gift, the family would like you to donate to Hospice & Community Care at www.HospiceCommunity.org/appeal in lieu of flowers. We also encourage you to share a memory or picture of John on this page as well for the family to see and share.