Message An incredible and inspiring man who was kind and generous to everyone he met, both as a student and after they had left the college. There are very few people in this world you meet with such wisdom, compassion, empathy and passion for changing the world for the better. I am truly honoured to have met him and enjoyed his company. He was truly an inspiration.

Behind this wisdom and compassion was also a keen sense of humour and fun. Two of my favourite memories were firstly, us cowering in a tree from the rain during one of the Gents garden parties - I don’t think either of us figured out how we got in that tree - but those happy and hilarious hours will always form part of my Johnian memories. And secondly, the kind letters he wrote to me since graduation. One of his greatest hopes was that Johnians would dedicate their skills and wisdom from Cambridge to helping others, both home and abroad, and making the world a better place. Knowing so many of my fellow Johnians - I am happy to say that I think his hope and legacy is ringing true.

Chris is a huge loss to so many - across academia, medicine and the college. His wisdom, inspiration, fun spirit and most of all compassion, are seen in so many tributes across this page and social media. He was truly the Father of St Johns. I send my prayers and condolences to the lovely Mary, Richard, William and all his family and friends. It is a sad day for Johnians everywhere, but let’s hope we can all continue to make him proud. A very special man, gone far too soon.

Message Having matriculated 49 years ago, my only experience of Professor Dobson was by way of the speeches he gave after lunch at the Johnian Donors Days, which were both warm and inspiring.

It was also very impressive how he managed to arrange sunny weather on each occasion. As he reminded us. This is a huge and premature loss both to the College and the scientific community.

Message This is very sombre news indeed. Chris was a splendid Master of the College who always made one feel welcome at reunion dinners and Donor Days. He was characteristically, but unnecessarily, modest on these occasions about his considerable achievements as Master - apart, that is, from his pride in always being able to command perfect weather for Donor Days!
My thoughts go to Lady Dobson, Richard and William at this sad time.

Message I first heard of Chris before arriving at Cambridge from a family friend who spoke highly of his kindness. I had not forgetten this as my interests in protein structure and function grew during my undergraduate degree and I applied to join the Dobson group as an undergraduate student in 2007. Of the many things I am grateful to Chris for through this time, three stand out: (1) His trust of co-workers to understand the subject matter and work hard to make advances. (2) His ability to encourage and motivate. On a number of occasions I entered the Master's Lodge in despair, but after a couple of hours with Chris, I left with renewed determination, ideas and hope. (3) His big-picture thinking. Whilst stuck in the mire of details during a PhD, listening to his lectures at conferences was inspirational. In these, tiny threads of individual work were woven together into a glorious tapestry that showed growing understanding of the material world and how we might intervene to improve it. May his legacy continue to grow in the years to come.

Message Christopher was so kind, and sent personal messages , when my husband David died suddenly only 11 months ago. It is a shock to learn of his death. He will surely be remembered with affection by all other students and colleagues past and present, as by everyone who met him at St John’s.

Message I talked with and wrote to Chris many times over the course of the last decade. What stood out was his total commitment and enthusiasm for the College, his involvement in everything and his ability to make everyone welcome and respected. I remember one occasion when I introduced someone who had come through the state education system to Chris , who quickly put him at ease, and was instrumental in helping him to realise he too could aspire to the limit of his ability. And his lovely sense of humour - "St. John's is not a Grand College, but it is a Great College" could just have been construed as a dig at some other College! What a marvellous man, who will be sadly missed, but remembered with respect and delight. And who will now arrange the weather for the many Johnian functions? We will miss him greatly.

Message Chris was a truly exceptional scholar and scientist whose work transformed the study of protein aggregation diseases, but also a remarkable person, whose sharp wit, visionary leadership and generosity were widely admired. He was a true pioneer of bringing chemical thinking and methodology to the study of protein misfolding and aggregation and has inspired a whole generation of scientists. We are very, very sad to lose one of the most eminent Chemists of a whole generation, a much loved and admired colleague and a friend. His legacy will live on through the work of all those whose lives he has touched and enriched in so many ways.

Message Very sad news. As a Johnian of an older generation, I particularly remember his warmth and friendliness in meeting Johnians at reunions in Cambridge and London.

Message Chris was a great man who excelled in many areas, and he will be a loss to the college, university and to science. He did much to promote alumni relationships, and made us extremely welcome whenever we came back to college. Our thoughts are with his family.

Message How sad to hear that Chris has died, with so many productive years ahead of him. My wife Jane and I have fond memories of time spent with Chris and Mary, and our thoughts are with his family at this trying time.