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Professor Axel Becke, FRS, FRSC, Harry Sherriff Professor of Chemical Research (Emeritus), one of Dalhousie's most impactful researchers, and one of Canada’s top scientists, passed away on Oct. 23, 2025, in Halifax.

Axel Dieter Becke was born in Nellingen, Germany, in 1953, and came to Canada with his parents at age three, landing in Halifax. He was the first of four brothers, and from the early days of his life, it would become apparent that he would be first in whatever he decided mattered to him.

His parents, Helmut and Hannelore, created a supportive and nurturing life and learning environment for the family. As Axel wrote for a celebration of life for his father just a few weeks before Axel’s own death, “My parents instilled in me a love and curiosity for science as far back as I can remember. Christmas gifts were educational, not just for fun. Meccano sets and Lego sets; chemistry, electronics, and physics sets. Dad found a chemistry textbook at work once, gave it to me – I devoured it from cover to cover.” He was a tinkerer in his early life, spending much time by himself building things and playing with machines and gadgets. But as his studies in physics progressed, he became more interested in where formulas came from and in the theories behind them.

While he made quantum leaps, and quantum chemistry became his life’s work, Axel had other early interests in life in which he excelled. In 1970 he leapt almost 23 feet to set a Canadian age-class record in the long jump. He won the Canadian Accordion Competition. He had the top marks out of high school, and went on to win the gold medal in engineering physics at Queen’s. He was always the best at what he did, in all matters, and later in the study of the motion of electrons, in all matter, as a leader in density-functional theory.

Axel spent his entire career in Canada: Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from Queen’s; MSc (1977) and PhD (1981) in physics from McMaster University (with Professor D.W.L. Sprung, supported by an NSERC 1967 science scholarship); Killam Postdoctoral Fellow (1981-83) and Eastburn Postdoctoral Fellow (1983-84) at Dalhousie University with Professor Russell J. Boyd; first independent academic career at Queen’s (assistant professor 1984-89; associate professor 1989–94; professor 1994-2006); and from 2006 until his retirement in 2015 (when he was appointed emeritus), he was professor and Killam Chair in Computational Science, and Harry Shirreff Professor of Chemical Research at Dalhousie University.

Axel received many awards and honours, including an NSERC University Research Fellowship (1984-1994), 1991 Medal of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science, 1994 Noranda Lecture Award of the Canadian Society for Chemistry, 1999 ���˴�Ƭ Prize for Excellence in Research, 2000 Schroedinger Medal of the World Association of Theoretical and Computational Chemists, Killam Research Fellowship from the Canada Council for the Arts (2005-2007), Killam Chair in Computational Science at Dalhousie University (2006-2016), 2009 John C. Polanyi Award of the Canadian Society for Chemistry, Harry Shirreff Professor of Chemical Research (2011-2015), 2014 American Chemical Society Award in Theoretical Chemistry, induction in the Discovery Centre’s Nova Scotia Science Hall of Fame in 2015, the Chemical Institute of Canada Medal in 2015, and the Canadian Association of Theoretical Chemists Honorary Lectureship in 2017. He was a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada, Fellow of the World Association of Theoretical and Computational Chemists, Member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (elected 2000), and Fellow of the Royal Society of London (elected 2006). Professor Becke was recognized with the very highest scientific honours in Canada: both NSERC’s Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering in 2015, and the Canada Council Killam Prize in the Natural Sciences in 2016.

These awards were in recognition of Axel’s transformative scholarship in the field of quantum chemistry, with significant impacts in many fields of science. Methods developed by Axel Becke are used worldwide, by all major pharmaceutical companies for the development of drugs, by the petrochemical industry for the design of better catalysts, and by many other industries and academics for the development of new materials. Even NASA scientists employ Becke's computational methods to support their space exploration programs through modelling of materials.

In 2014 the journal Nature compiled a list of the 100 most-cited scientific papers of all time. Numbers 8 and 25 were single-author papers by Becke. These two seminal papers continue to be cited and are generally acknowledged to have been instrumental in the awarding of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Walter Kohn and John Pople. Pople and Kohn never missed an opportunity to cite and acknowledge Axel’s contributions to the field.

Axel’s first conference presentation was in Halifax in June 1981 at the 64th Canadian Chemical Conference. The one-day symposium on theoretical chemistry, organized by Russell Boyd, opened with a keynote lecture by John Pople and concluded with a brilliant lecture by a then-unknown Axel Becke. Many of the participants later asked the organizer, “Who is that guy?”. Axel never forgot when and where he met John Pople, who in turn followed Axel’s work very closely and supported Axel’s successful nomination as Fellow of the Royal Society of London.

Axel was not just an impactful researcher, he was also a talented teacher. His lectures were clear and engaging, even when the subject matter was very difficult. He won the Queen’s Chemistry Department Student Council Award for Excellence in Teaching (1987) and the ���˴�Ƭ Engineering Society “Golden Apple” Award for Excellence in Teaching (1992). He was happy to teach, as long as it was not early in the morning.

Axel was no doubt brilliant, persistent and determined, but if you met him, you would find him to be thoughtful, pleasant, and unassuming. Kind and gentle.

Axel loved the outdoors. He enjoyed the many parks, ocean vistas and destinations the Halifax area offers. Earlier in his life, he treasured the annual Algonquin Park family camping trip. As a teenager, he went on canoe trips that were certainly not leisurely, mountain hikes that felt like a time trial. It was always hard to keep up with him…

Axel was laid to rest in Oakridge Memorial Gardens, Halifax. At the top of the hill.

Sept. 16, 1940 – Nov. 4, 2025

One of the most influential economists of his generation, Tom believed that ideas matter and over five decades he devoted his career to reshaping how Canada works. An innovative thinker, his work reflected a commitment to a prosperous and compassionate Canada.

This commitment came from his parents, Gen and Al, and his upbringing in the small town of Wakaw, Sask. Before leaving for graduate studies in 1962, Tom and Margie were married, and every summer the family (soon with three children) visited Wakaw and Candle Lake for a month of fishing and golf. The love of golf instilled by his father was transmitted down the generations, and Tom enjoyed countless hours golfing with his grandsons. Tom’s original spirit and his gift of “thinking outside the box” led to misadventures on and off the golf course, and all family gatherings included recounting these memories and creating new “Courchene stories.”

Tom completed his Ph.D. at Princeton University. From 1965 to 1988, Tom was Professor of Economics at the University of Western Ontario (with a post-doctoral year at the University of Chicago). He soon established himself as an often-controversial voice in the areas of monetary policy, financial institutions, fiscal policy, economic regionalism, energy policy, trade and migration. Tom’s work was multidisciplinary. A colleague noted that Tom had the ability to walk in everyone’s backyard. He also had the unique skill of anticipating issues that were still just over the horizon. He was Chair of the Ontario Economic Council, Senior Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Tom could not say no when Conservative Leader Joe Clark invited him to run as candidate in London East in the 1979 federal election, but the voters said no!

Principal David Smith brought Tom to Queen’s in 1988 to serve as the inaugural Director of the School of Policy Studies (SPS) and Tom soon established the SPS as a central hub in a national policy network of academics and policymakers. From 1992 until his retirement in 2012, Tom held the Jarislowsky-Deutsch Chair in Economics and Financial Policy at Queen’s, was Director of the John Deutsch Institute and Director of the Institute of Intergovernmental Relations. He was also a Senior Scholar at the Institute for Research on Public Policy in Montreal.  The SPS launched The Tom Courchene Distinguished Speakers Series in 2015 (funded by the Margie and Tom Courchene Endowment Fund). This series is available on the SPS website. In 2021 Tom was also honoured with the Queen’s Distinguished Service Award.

Tom inspired his students and they easily forgave him when he veered off-course. He was a dedicated doctoral candidate supervisor and mentor. A modest and humble man, he drew enormous pleasure from the gifts, talents, and successes of others, be they students, colleagues, or golfing partners, and recognized that he owed his success in large part to his colleagues at Western, Queen’s, and beyond, as well as his many mentors, especially Mary Janigan and Tom Kierans.

Not afraid to ruffle feathers, he was quite pleased when his work grabbed headlines. In 2004, the publication of his paper entitled “Confiscatory Equalization” got some attention and led directly to the federal government “giving back” $120 million to the government of Saskatchewan.

Tom received honorary doctorates from the University of Western Ontario, the University of Regina, and the University of Saskatchewan. U of S recognized Tom as one of its 100 Alumni of Influence in 2009. When Tom was awarded the Order of Canada in 1999, the citation noted that he was “one of the most influential economists of his generation in Canada.” That year he was also awarded the Molson Prize for his lifetime contributions to cultural and intellectual life in Canada. 

A prolific writer, Tom was awarded the inaugural Donner Prize for the best Canadian book in public policy for From Heartland to North American Region State: The Social, Fiscal and Federal Evolution of Ontario (with Colin Telmer). Tom was pleased to have many family members and friends in attendance when he won his second Donner Prize in 2019 for Indigenous Nationals, Canadian Citizens: From First Contact to Canada 150 and Beyond.

Despite Tom’s hectic academic life, family time took centre stage, typically on the golf course. Spontaneous back and forth visits were an important part of life, and no invitation was too great or too small, whether finding a fishing lure, going on a trip, or hitting practice balls at the Garrison Golf Club.

In 2019 Tom was diagnosed with the early signs of dementia. Tom lived at home with Margie, retained his well-being, wit, good humour, positive approach to life and interest in and concern for others, and until the final week enjoyed visits and small walks unassisted. A sudden decline brought him to palliative care for the last week of his life. With family by his side, he slept. Our gratitude to Rev. Mary Smith who led the family in prayers and meditations, to the Bayshore TCU for their considerate and excellent care, and a special thanks to Tom’s PSWs whose cheerful morning presence and generous spirit brightened Tom and Margie’s life.

Tom will be missed by his family, friends and colleagues. Tom leaves his beloved family: his wife, Margie; his children, Rob (Cynthia), Teri (Glen), and John (Angel); nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; his brother, Bob (Paulette); and sister, Ann-Marie; and their families.

Reginald Shadbolt: Nov. 10, 1933 to May 11, 2025

Reginald Shadbolt (“Reg”) passed away on May 11, 2025. He had a distinguished career in public education where he offered exceptional educational leadership, and vision. He gave his time and expertise freely to the Kingston community. He was also devoted to his family and enjoyed his friends immensely.

Reg leaves Audrey, his lifelong companion for more than 68 years; his daughter, Katherine [Shane]; his late daughter, Christine [David]; and his grandson, Ben.

Reg graduated from Madoc High School, where he was voted by his peers as best all-around student. In 1953, he graduated from Ottawa Teacher's College, and six years later, in 1959, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s. (Later his wife and two daughters would graduate from Queen’s.) Subsequently, he acquired an MEd from the University of Toronto.

Reg began his career in education as a teacher and later as a principal with the Kingston Board of Education. He then became a teaching master at Ottawa Teacher's College; a program consultant with the Ministry of Education (MOE); and a co-author of a series of mathematics textbooks. Subsequently, he was a superintendent and then director of education for the Frontenac County Board of Education.

In his retirement, Reg was instrumental in the development of The Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network (EOSDN), an association of Eastern Ontario District School Boards and the Faculty of Education at Queen’s. The Network remains a valuable support service for teachers and administrators today.

As a dedicated Kingstonian, Reg's community involvement included being a director of the Boards of: KGH, CAA, The YMCA, and Kingston Literacy. He was also president of The Rotary Club of Kingston and vice chair of FCC#43 condo board (The Deerfield).

Reg helped establish Kingston Interval House and he was instrumental in transforming a decommissioned school in Kingston (namely, the Robert Meek School, where he had started to teach in 1953) into a Boys and Girls Club centre.

In retirement, Reg and Audrey travelled the world and visited over 60 countries; they taught English in China, as part of the Kingston-Mianyang group exchange. Reg also loved to garden with his neighbours at The Deerfield condominium.

Reg was very touched to be honoured as the JCI Citizen of the Year in 2006 and to receive five Paul Harris Awards from the Rotary Club of Kingston. He was also humbled when the Boys and Girls Club named a Learning Centre in his honour. On the other hand, he was always proud to proclaim that he had been a member of the Fort Henry Guard and that he had tied for the batting championship in 1957 when he played third base in the City Softball League!

Reg’s family wishes to express their never-ending gratitude and appreciation to the nurses and medical staff at KGH and Providence Care Hospital.

Peacefully, at Bethell Hospice surrounded by the love of family and friends, Patricia (Patti) Weir passed away on Aug. 25, 2025.

Beloved sister to David of Pefferlaw and adored aunt to Vanessa, Nicole, Victoria, Veronica, and David, Jr. Loved deeply by her Griffith cousins and their families: Gail (the late Ed Moore), Jane (Dave Clyde), Jim (Cynthia), Nancy (Albert Henderson), Elaine (David Kortko), Paul (Jean) and Janice (Mike Buccos) (the late Pat Pringle). Predeceased by her parents, James and Shirlee Weir, and cousin, Susan. Her dedicated and amazing friends are deeply saddened; their unwavering love and support is a testament to Patti. We will all cherish the memories we made together and are grateful for the countless moments of joy and laughter we shared.

Born April 14, 1962, in Pefferlaw, a town that held wonderful memories throughout her years, Patti graduated from Sutton District High School going on to further her education at Trent University and obtaining her Bachelor of Education Degree from Queen’s. A teacher in the Orangeville Catholic schools for 35 years, Patti was an exceptional teacher. Her dedication, commitment, and joy of learning was evident, making a positive impact on many.

From a young age, Patti was an avid baseball player and curler, and this passion for sport continued throughout her life. For many years, she was a passionate member of the Sutton and Orangeville Curling Clubs, always volunteering generously, sharing her knowledge of the game with new members, and introducing the sport to the local elementary schools.

Summers were spent at her trailer on Buckhorn Lake in her boat, relaxing lakeside, barbecuing, and sitting by the campfire into the “wee hours of the morning.” Patti’s love for the Blue Jays was well known, exceeded only by her love for her dogs, Betti and Dori. They were her steadfast companions accompanying her on roadtrips, participating regularly in school activities, and providing comfort during life’s challenges. She was particularly proud of and treasured her nieces and nephew, whom she happily allowed to dominate her conversations with others.

Patti delighted in traveling. She journeyed throughout Canada (Quebec City being a favourite destination), studied in Hawaii, toured Europe twice, vacationed in the warmer islands, and ventured through the United States. Seeing new sites was not enough for her; she wanted to know and understand more of the culture, history, geography, and perspectives of others.

Her creativity and willingness to explore new opportunities led her to develop many new skills, talents, and interests. These included barbecuing, pickling, painting, scrapbooking, and playing guitar. Her ability to recall trivia, historical facts, and detail was astounding.

Patti’s kindness, generosity, and love for all will remain forever in the hearts of family and friends. She left this world – as she lived her life – with peace, calm, and humility.