In Memoriam

Remembering Queen's alumni.

Those Who Have Passed

Sharing memories of friends, faculty, and colleagues - In Memoriam helps you honour those who have recently passed.

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  • J. Robert "Bob" Clark

    1950s

    J. Robert "Bob" Clark

    鈥 BSc鈥56

    Summer 2023

    J. Robert "Bob" Clark鈥檚 long battle with cancer ended on April 28, 2023. He passed away peacefully with loved ones at his side. He was 89.

    Bob was the beloved husband of Mary Ellen (Monaghan) for 69 years; the loving father of Meri-Sue, Michael, Mark, and Margaret (John Conroy); the grandfather of seven and the great-grandfather of seven. He was the brother of Barbara Tuff (late Ken), Bill (Patti), and the late Bevin and Barry.

    The son of the late Stanley and Agnes (McCallum) Clark, Bob spent his early life in Dutton, Ont., and enjoyed frequent visits to his McCallum grandparents' farm in Cowal. He started his education in Dutton Public School. The Clark family moved to St. Thomas, Ont., where Bob continued his education at Scott Street Public School and St. Thomas Collegiate Institute. He then attended Queen's, where he studied Civil Engineering.

    Bob's professional career in the railway industry, which included 38 years with the New York Central Railroad and its successors, began with three summers as an undergraduate working with the division engineer's office of the New York Central in St. Thomas. As a new graduate, he joined that same office as an instrument man. Subsequently, he forged a path to become assistant vice president 鈥 engineering at Conrail in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    Bob was honoured to be elected president of the American Railway Engineering Association for the 1989-1990 term. His very successful career was recognized by his selection to the North America Railway Hall of Fame, aptly headquartered in the old St. Thomas railway building where he launched his career.

    Following his retirement from Conrail, Bob consulted on railway projects from Australia to Mexico until well into his 80s.

    Bob enjoyed traveling with Mary Ellen and spending time with his family. He was an excellent and competitive athlete in his youth and a lifelong sports fan. All who knew him will miss his unfailing drive, sense of humor, and generosity.

  • Lynne Thompson, n茅e Melinda Jean Klein

    1990s

    Lynne Thompson, n茅e Melinda Jean Klein

    鈥 LLB鈥96

    Summer 2023

    Lynne Thompson, n茅e Melinda Jean Klein, passed away on Nov. 4, 2022, at the age of 73. She was the daughter of the late William Joseph Klein and Betty Ann Klein (n茅e Grieve). She leaves behind her loving husband, Eric Callum Thompson and their two children: Jennifer Erin Thompson-Croft (Jason Croft) and Benjamin Andrew Thompson (Victoria Ulloa-Caldwell Thompson); and beloved grandchildren, Alden Callum Croft and Scotland Grace Thompson. She was predeceased by her brother, Michael Klein (Lou Klein), and leaves behind her brother David Klein (Janet Klein), as well as many nieces, nephews, and of course their four-legged fur baby, Freckles.

    Lynne was born in St. Thomas, Ont., but, with her father being a bank manager with the Bank of Montreal, the family lived in various communities in southwestern Ontario, including Tara, the town she always called home. The family built a cottage outside of Bobcaygeon when Lynne was growing up and this became the Klein homestead in retirement. Lynne had many fond memories of the property known as Rocky River Retreat. 

    She attended Waterloo Lutheran University (later Wilfrid Laurier University), where she met Eric, who was her English literature professor. The two married in 1970 and moved to Chicoutimi, Que., where Eric was a professor until his retirement. Lynne worked as a librarian at the English school in the area, until she ventured back to attend pre-law studies in 1991, before ultimately completing her law degree at Queen鈥檚. 

    She practiced as a criminal defense lawyer until 2017 in Burlington, Ont., where she and Eric lived together until 2020, when they relocated to Ottawa, Ont. They shared an interest in travel, and together cruised around the world through Eric鈥檚 retirement with many memories of excursions and exploring different cultures.

    Lynne will be remembered by all who knew her as full of life, fiercely loyal to her family, with a wonderful sense of humour and humanity. 

  • Dr. Richard McCutcheon

    1960s

    Dr. Richard McCutcheon

    鈥 MD鈥61

    Summer 2023

    Dr. Richard McCutcheon bravely battled cancer, but passed away peacefully at home on April 27, 2023. He was the beloved husband to Dr. Amelia McCutcheon; father to Jody, Mark, Kim, Scott, and Chris; and daughters-in-law, Dr. Praveena Sivananthan and Dr. Jennie Baxter Ito; loving grandfather to Lakshman, Maya, Kira, Benjamin, and Charlotte.

    Richard was an anesthesiologist (Queen鈥檚 鈥61 grad) for almost 50 years at Northwestern Hospital and Humber River Regional Hospital. He was a medical volunteer with Operation Smile and Hospital on Wheels Philippines, helping thousands of people.

    He and Amy loved travelling. He always had a smile and kind words for everyone. His favourite hobbies included: writing, reading, wine and coffee, morning puzzles, movies, and sports. He was an American Civil War history buff. He loved music and sang in the Greenborough Church choir.

    In retirement he enjoyed living in The Beach, playing frisbee with Amy by the lake and making friends along Queen Street. He loved doing video chats to connect with family and friends around the world. Richard will be dearly missed.

  • Dr. Henry B. Dinsdale (right) and Stephen L. Archer

    1950s

    Dr. Henry B. Dinsdale

    鈥 MD鈥55

    Summer 2023

    Dr. Henry B. Dinsdale passed away on May 30, 2023. He is dearly missed by children, Janyce MacDonald (John Colden), Scott (Jennifer, Sandi), Henry (Diane Wherrett), and Martha Thomson (Anthony); grandchildren, Kate MacDonald (Brandon Law), Sarah MacDonald (Ben Curtis), Lizzie MacDonald (Jonathan Ludwig), Morgan Dinsdale, Taylor Dinsdale (Trevor Morgan), Maddy Dinsdale, Ben Dinsdale (Maddy Godin), Emily Thomson (Jesse Topley); and great-grandchildren, Cedric, Angus and Malcolm Law. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Doris Dinsdale of Peterborough, Ontario; and brothers, Jack and Sidney.

    Stephen L. Archer MD. FRCP(C), FRSC, FAHA, FACC
    Head Department of Medicine, 果酱视频 Scientific Director, Queen鈥檚 Cardiopulmonary Unit (QCPU): 

    It is with great sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Dr. Henry B. Dinsdale, Professor Emeritus, Division of Neurology. Dr. Dinsdale was a leader in medicine both at Queen鈥檚 and on the national stage. He is fondly remembered as a world class neurologist, department head and colleague.

    Dr. Dinsdale graduated in medicine from Queen鈥檚, which was followed by clinical and research training in neurology at the Maudsley Hospital and National Hospital, Queens Square, London and the Harvard Neurological Unit, Boston City Hospital. He returned to the Faculty of Medicine at Queen鈥檚, where he was professor and head of the Department of Medicine, as well as the associate dean for research. After his 鈥渞etirement鈥 as head of the Department of Medicine, he worked as an outpatient general neurologist for 17 years and treated thousands of patients. Dr. Dinsdale鈥檚 major research interests and publications were in the area of stroke and the effects of hypertension on the blood-brain barrier.

    Dr. Dinsdale retired from clinical duties in 2014 after 53 years of service to Queen鈥檚 and neurological patients. As department head, I had the pleasure of establishing the Dr. Henry B. Dinsdale Visiting Lectureship to acknowledge his significant contributions to Queen鈥檚 Department of Medicine, and in June 2014, his service was recognized with the inaugural Dinsdale Medical Grand Rounds lecture, as well as a bench dedication ceremony.

    Dr. Dinsdale was past president of the Canadian Congress for Neurological Sciences and past member of the executive of the American Academy of Neurology. He was a member and vice-president of the Medical Research Council of Canada. He was a founding member and past president of the National Council on Ethics in Human Research. Dr. Dinsdale was past president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He was a member of the Order of Canada and an honorary fellow of the College of Physicians of London, the Australasian College of Physicians and the College of Physicians of South Africa. 

    When I think of Henry, I think of excellence, commitment to the profession, and a selfless commitment to advancing academic medicine in Canada. We were lucky to have him in our midst these many decades. He will be missed, but his values and goals continue on in the department. I know he was thrilled to see the growth of the Neurology Division and the expansion of the Department of Medicine.

    To the Dinsdale family, and especially his wife June, I extend my heartfelt sympathy. Thank you for sharing Henry with us throughout his long and illustrious career. We are with you in spirit as you mourn his passing, but also with you as you celebrate his rich life and vast legacy, both personal and professional. To my colleagues in the Department of Medicine, please join me in remembering a giant amongst physicians who advanced excellence in Queen鈥檚 Department of Medicine and who elevated patient care and medical education at Kingston General Hospital and Queen鈥檚.

  • 1960s

    William 鈥淏ill鈥 Newton-Smith

    鈥 BA鈥66

    Summer 2023

    William 鈥淏ill鈥 Newton-Smith passed away on April 8, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Durham; his daughters, Apple (Malcolm Jolley) and Rain (Andrew Goodwin); his grandchildren, Alec, Will, and Hamish Jolley, Willow, Autumn, Sky, and Indigo Goodwin; his brothers, Richard and Robin Newton-Smith.

    Bill Newton-Smith was born in Orillia, Ontario, in 1943. He was the son and grandson of Anglican ministers. He studied philosophy and mathematics at Queen鈥檚 and was the St. Andrews鈥 Scholar in 1965. In philosophy class, he met Dorris Heffron, (Arts鈥67, MA鈥69). They married in Oxford, 1968, after Bill did his masters at Cornell University, then became a Commonwealth Scholar at Balliol College, Oxford. Shortly after completing his DPhil, which is titled The Structure of Time, Bill was made a fellow in philosophy at Balliol College.

    They had two daughters, Apple and Rain Newton-Smith. Bill was an unforgettably good teacher. Dorris published her first three novels, while also teaching part time for Oxford鈥檚 external studies. In January of 1980, while on sabbatical in Holland, Bill had a life-changing adventure while attending a clandestine meeting of philosophers in Czechoslovakia: police invaded the meeting; Bill was arrested and taken across the border for questioning, but the car broke down in a snow fall. 鈥淚n Canada, we make snowballs,鈥 Bill explained as he surreptitiously put pieces of paper with addresses into the snowballs he threw into the woods. Over the border he was released.

    Philanthropist George Soros learned of this incident, met with Bill, and soon hired him to help combat authoritarian regimes by founding and setting up courses in universities, ultimately in 33 countries, beginning with being the leading force in founding the Central Eastern European University. Bill also continued teaching at Balliol and writing books on logic and the philosophy of science, which continue to influence philosophy studies to this day.

    Bill and Dorris divorced in late 1980 and Dorris returned to Canada with their daughters, though joint custody was maintained and Bill was a dedicated, influential father throughout. Apple Newton-Smith graduated from McGill and then Queen鈥檚 Law School in 1997. She is now a Criminal Court Judge in the Ontario Justice System. Rain Newton-Smith graduated from Oxford then was the Bank of England Scholar at The London School of Economics. She is now Director General of The Confederation of British Industries.

    In 1990, Bill married Nancy Durham, a Canadian reporter for the CBC with international assignments. In retirement Bill and Nancy developed a lavender oil skin products business from their lavender farm in Wales. Bill鈥檚 last project was to help found an Arts College in Wales, which will open September 2023. 

  • Harold (Hal) Pringle, taken at 96 years of age.

    1940s

    Harold (Hal) Pringle

    鈥 BComH鈥48

    Summer 2023

    Harold (Hal) Pringle passed away on Feb. 5, 2023 at age 97 in Ancaster, Ont. Hal is survived by his children, Jane (Bob), Andrew (Sandi), Jake (Bill); and his grandchildren, Victoria and Rob. He was predeceased by his first wife, Joyce, and second wife, June.

    Harold鈥檚 parents, Frank Pringle (BSc鈥17) and Nettie Pringle (nee Johnson), met at Queen鈥檚. His mother came from a long-time Kingston family and, evidently, Johnson Street was named after her family. Harold鈥檚 parents settled in Hamilton, where he was born on Nov. 19, 1925. 

    He graduated from Queen鈥檚 with his Commerce degree in 1948 and said many times over the years that the saddest day of his life was the day he graduated. He became a chartered accountant and spent several years at what was then Coopers & Lybrand, including about 10 years as the managing partner of the Hamilton office. He saw two of his three kids go to Queen鈥檚 鈥 Jake (Artsci鈥88) and Andrew (Com'85).