Michael John Laing, chemist, was the son of Albert Laing and his wife Margaret Abigail, born Roos. He matriculated at Glenwood High School, Durban, in 1954 and continued his studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, graduating as Bachelor of Science (BSc) with honours in chemistry in 1958 and Master of Science (MSc) in 1960. During 1961 he taught chemistry for a year at the Pius XII University College (now the National University of Lesotho). He then attended the University of California at Los Angeles and in 1964 received his PhD on the X-ray crystallographic determination of molecular structure. On 31 August 1963 he married Mary Elizabeth Burke, a chemistry student, with whom he eventually had four sons and a daughter.
Returning to Durban in 1964 Laing lectured in inorganic chemistry at the Durban campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He remained at the University for his entire career except for two short periods as visiting professor in California in 1970 and 1988, retiring as professor of inorganic chemistry in 1997. After his retirement he continued to teach various technical courses. His research led to the publication of over 200 articles in scientific journals. His main field of research was the determination of molecular structure and bonding by single crystal X-ray diffraction. He also applied X-ray powder diffraction to analyze a variety of materials, including fossils and kidney stones. Other interests included chemical education, the periodic table, mechanical devices, fishing, his family, and military history. His publications included a number of contributions to the popular scientific literature.
Teaching was Laing's life-long passion. He developed several specialist academic courses for chemists, engineers and architects and every December for some 30 years presented a Christmas chemical magic show for the South African Chemical Institute. For many years he was a judge at the South African National Science Expo. The University of KwaZulu-Natal presented him with a Distinguished Teacher's Award in 1996. As an active member of the South African Chemical Institute he was awarded its Chemical Education Medal in 1993, the Mischa Mrost Medal in 1995, and was elected an honorary member of the Institute in 1997. His interest in and contributions to military history led to his being awarded honorary membership of the South African Military History Society.
Laing's death left a large gap in the lives of his family, friends and colleagues, Those who knew him well described him as "a larger than life character", "witty, easygoing and effortlessly brilliant" and "a man of great intellect [and] a wide range of interests".
