Book of Condolence: Professor Sir Christopher Dobson

This page was created to display online messages of condolence following the death of Professor Sir Christopher Dobson, Master of St John’s College, who died age 69 on Sunday, September 8 2019.

Please note we are no longer accepting submissions to the online condolence book.

My condolences to the family. I hope it is some comfort to them that he was so loved by all.
Robin Arzoni (1964)
Truly a gentleman and a scholar.
Jeremy (Jim) Smith
Thank you Chris for always being willing to share your wisdom. May you rest in peace and your family stay strong.
Shanshan Wang
My thoughts with the family. Chis will be mainly remembered for his legacy in Science, but I will always remember him as the kind man whom I had the privilege to meet as a Master of St Johns, and who made the college a much more inclusive community, and for that I will always be grateful.
Itzel Condado
Deepest condolences on the passing of Sir Christopher, who made immeasurable contributions to St John's College and to the scholarly world, as well as to humanity in general. We shall all miss his humane style and giant mind.
COLIN MACKERRAS
I am so thankful to Chris for his warm welcome to St John's and his example of humble leadership during my time as a student. He was always remarkably kind in person, and made me so glad to be a part of the college whenever he addressed us as a student body. In particular, I'm so thankful for his support of the St John's Voices, which was one of my highlights during university, and for his huge encouragements in engaging with the issue of modern day slavery. What a remarkable encourager of others, in addition to his own extraordinary intellect and gifting. He was deeply loved and will be very missed.
Katherine Ladd
Well done Sir Chris and although I only met you once at a Larmor Dinner, I respected greatly your leadership and admired your vision of the College over the years of change since my days some time ago.

Brian Peeling
Professor William Brian Peeling (1951-1954)
We are all grateful for having known such a man, however briefly, and we wish Mary, Richard and William well as they come to terms with their loss
Adrian Palmer
Sir Christopher Dobson was one of the best human beings I met during the year I spent as a visiting student in St.John's. He made me feel welcome and fully part of the St.John's family. It has been a honor to meet him and the news of him passing away was a terrible one. I would like to express my deepest condolences to his wonderful wife and to his sons. May he rest in peace.
Alesia Preite
Adieu to a great scientist who has left a memory of great humanity and kindness
Henriette Molinari