Message As heads of the Italian Biochemical Society (SIB), we wish to express our profound sadness for the premature passing of Prof. Sir Chris Dobson, a scientist who contributed at the highest level to the growth of our knowledge on key aspects of protein biochemistry and biophysics; over the years, he has been a key reference figure for our biochemical community and a mentor for many Italian scientists. On behalf of the whole SIB, we wish to express to his family, to St. John’s College and to the University of Cambridge, our sincerest condolences.
Raffaele Porta, University of Naples ‘Federico II’
Martino Bolognesi, University of Milano

Message Chris was a kind, compassionate, and caring father-figure to all of us at St. John’s. For a man of his intellectual stature, his humility was particularly remarkable. I am sure he will be deeply missed by all those who have had the pleasure to interact with and learn from him. My sincerest condolences go to his loved ones during this time.

Message Professor Sir Christopher Dobson was outstanding as master of the college. He showed great interest in his students lives and achievements, treated everyone from fresher to senior fellow with respect and always strove to better the college. It was a privilege to have him as master and he will be sorely missed.

Message Sorry to hear that Master Dobson died.

Message I shall be forever grateful to Chris for the warm welcome I received when I joined the Fellowship of St John's in 2013. He was always a keen supporter of the life of the Chapel, and was most supportive of my decision to leave the Fellowship after only two years to train for the priesthood. He will be greatly missed.

Message Professor Dobson’s intelligence, open mindedness, knowledge and wisdom were inspirational to the students under his care. He will be very much missed.

Message From conversations in my first week of Cambridge with himself and Mary about the magic of Mrs. Beeton’s cookery books, to helping me try to secure funding for my theatrical pursuits abroad, Chris’ due diligence to find the time to share a special moment with each member of the college community is the definition of generosity and great leadership. This mighty sense of occasion was reflected in his captivating speeches at high table, which I would urge any Johnian to read. Others are better equipped to testify to his magnificent contributions to the field of scientific knowledge; but as a calm and collected Master, his sense of commitment to ongoing college life was, to me, a beacon of always remembering the human side of taxing academe. In light of this, that I knew him as a kind and ‘ordinary’ man is what made him so extraordinary. His wry smile as I knelt before him on the graduation day was an expression of promise and belief that gives me confidence as I enter adult life. Once a Johnian, always a Johnian. Souvent me Souvient.

Message We only had a few conversations but you were always very kind. My thoughts are with your family.

Message I was terribly sad to hear the news that my PhD adviser, mentor, and friend Chris Dobson died this past weekend. At this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with Mary, Richard, and William. Chris was only 69. He was a brilliant scientist — one of the most distinguished biochemists in the world — but I will always remember him for his exceptional generosity and how genuinely he engaged with the lives and needs of the people around him. During my PhD, I met with Chris every couple of months, and saw him at other assorted events at St John's College, which he ran and of which I was a member. I left every meeting inspired and reinvigorated, and looked forward to the next meeting eagerly. Over the years, our discussions would stray from science to history, politics, and our personal lives, and it was one of the great privileges of my graduate school years (and really, of my life) that I could get to know this remarkable, kind, and brilliant human being. Part of his legacy is in the hundreds of people he trained, and I know that we all learned something about how to support and inspire others from his outstanding example. Here in New York, some of us old Dobsonites are planning on meeting to toast our friend and mentor — even now, Chris continues to bring people together. I will miss him deeply and think of him often.

Message This is a huge loss for the world of science and knowledge.

Chris was a true role model for me for many years. His kind, generous and gentle personality together with his groundbreaking research work and deep scientific comprehension was most inspiring. Our discussions had priceless contributions to my development as a researcher and I cherish every moment of them. There are only very few individuals who could look back and see the tremendous impact that they had on human knowledge and their influence on the life trajectory of so many people.

May his soul be bound in the bundle of life ‏‏‏‏ תנצב"ה