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.
A great man, a great scientist and a great Master lost to us too soon.
Basil R R Butler (1949)
The gift of your intellect and leadership shall be ever remembered, not only within the halls of St John's and Cambridge, but throughout the world. Deepest of sympathy to your believed family, and to your colleagues as well, Sir Dobson.
Paul Palko
To have known Chris was an honour and a privilege. So often he would inspire us all with words of wisdom and a sense of humour second to none. The world of science has lost its tower of strength and inspiration. We have lost the kindest of men, the greatest of scientists and the best of friends. Thank you for being you Chris. We miss you.
Sheena Radford
Professor Dobson was such a kind an approachable Master of the college - I remember having a lovely conversation with him and his wife at the 2009 May Ball - they seemed to be relaxed and enjoying the party as much as the rest of us. I also remember being amused, on being hosted at the master's lodge, to note that he had gold engraved marmite jar lid. Myself and my group of friends from John's have been so sad to hear of his death, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be remembered for many things I am sure, but for us it will be for being the kind and smiling face of St John's during our time there.
Katie P
Dear Chris - thank you for all the amazing times you led the college through and the key moments of my time at the college. Obama inauguration, student bursaries to fund pioneering social enterprises in Rwanda, support for global health PhD work tirelessly by you and Mary - and last not but least, you even had time and consideration to help when my Johns' room's roof partially collapsed! Great memories of a great man.
Julia F. Li
I was very sorry to hear of the death of Sir Christopher who has played such a prominent part in the way the college has developed to meet modern conditions. I met him at a meeting of Johnians in Edinburgh some years ago and was impressed by his friendliness and commitment to maintaining links with alumni . VFJJ 10/09/2019
Victor FJ Jordan
A fine Master and Prof - a sad loss. My condolences to the family.
Rob
Rob
Rob Roseveare 1967
Dear Lady Dobson,
It was with great sadness that I heard that Chris passed away on Sunday.
I was an undergraduate in Oxford in the 1980s. Aside from my college tutors, Chris was the first chemistry lecturer that I can remember. In my first year, I recall him walking down the steps of the ICL lecture theatre to teach alkali metals. This was not the most exciting of topics, but—and as I witnessed later in his research talks—Chris always brought something special to his lectures. I can say with all honesty that I wanted to become a lecturer from that moment on.
Later in Oxford, on the advice of my tutor, I asked Chris if I could do my Part II in his lab. I was fortunate that Chris took me on. I didn’t know it then, of course, but this was quite possibly the most important event of my academic life. I left Chris’s lab and moved from Oxford to Cambridge—to St John’s in fact—to do a PhD. However, I stayed in contact with Chris and he became one of my mentors. He always gave me clear and honest advice expertly and freely. I remain extremely grateful for the start that he gave me and for his continued advice and support throughout my career.
Through the 30+ years of knowing Chris, he introduced me to many truly amazing people. This was either directly or simply through the ethereal network of people associated with his lab in some way. Like all of these people I am sure, I will miss Chris in all respects of his intellect, capacity for work, unbridled enthusiasm for research, mentorship, humour and humanity.
My thoughts are with you, your family, and with all of those people whose lives, like mine, have been enhanced through knowing Chris. He will be hugely missed, but always remembered with great respect and fondness.
Best wishes,
Dek Woolfson
It was with great sadness that I heard that Chris passed away on Sunday.
I was an undergraduate in Oxford in the 1980s. Aside from my college tutors, Chris was the first chemistry lecturer that I can remember. In my first year, I recall him walking down the steps of the ICL lecture theatre to teach alkali metals. This was not the most exciting of topics, but—and as I witnessed later in his research talks—Chris always brought something special to his lectures. I can say with all honesty that I wanted to become a lecturer from that moment on.
Later in Oxford, on the advice of my tutor, I asked Chris if I could do my Part II in his lab. I was fortunate that Chris took me on. I didn’t know it then, of course, but this was quite possibly the most important event of my academic life. I left Chris’s lab and moved from Oxford to Cambridge—to St John’s in fact—to do a PhD. However, I stayed in contact with Chris and he became one of my mentors. He always gave me clear and honest advice expertly and freely. I remain extremely grateful for the start that he gave me and for his continued advice and support throughout my career.
Through the 30+ years of knowing Chris, he introduced me to many truly amazing people. This was either directly or simply through the ethereal network of people associated with his lab in some way. Like all of these people I am sure, I will miss Chris in all respects of his intellect, capacity for work, unbridled enthusiasm for research, mentorship, humour and humanity.
My thoughts are with you, your family, and with all of those people whose lives, like mine, have been enhanced through knowing Chris. He will be hugely missed, but always remembered with great respect and fondness.
Best wishes,
Dek Woolfson
Dek Woolfson
There are few people like Sir Christopher. It was humbling to meet him on the few times I did. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Richard Nobbs 1961-1063
Chris Dobson ... a man of wonderful humility and sense of inclusion. He will be sorely missed as leader of a great College.
john murphy 1964