It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of our much loved, husband, father, and grandfather. Ian was predeceased by his father, Derek Manners. Left behind to grieve are his wife of 43 years Deborah, his children Hayley (Kyle) and Chris (Navi), his grandchildren, Rhys, Gavin, Alys, and baby James, his mother Jean, his brothers Neil (Tracy) and Clive (Lucy), many nieces and nephews, as well as members of his research group (current and past) and the many colleagues and friends at UVic and around the world.
Ian was born in Croydon, UK. He completed his BSc and PhD in chemistry at the University of Bristol, UK. Following this, he was a postdoctoral fellow first at RWTH Aachen University (1986), Germany and then Pennsylvania State University, USA (1988). He took up his first faculty position in 1990 at the University of Toronto and then moved back to the UK in 2006 to take up a position at the University of Bristol. He returned to Canada in 2018 where he took up a faculty position at the University of Victoria. He has mentored many postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students over the years. Ian made such an impact on their lives and this was demonstrated by the overwhelming support received from them over the course of his long and courageous battle with cancer. As well as his obvious passion for chemistry, Ian loved nature and spent weekends and holidays hiking the many beautiful trails on Vancouver Island. Ian had a great sense of humour; he always made us laugh and had such fun with his grandchildren. His concern for his family and research group was uppermost in his mind through his final days. We will miss you and love you always.
We would like to thank the nurses and doctors at BC Cancer (especially Dr. Selina Wong), his wonderful GP, Dr. Oosthuizen, and the amazing people at Home and Community Care and the Victoria Hospice Palliative Response Team for their kindness and compassion.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Victoria Hospice.
For those who wish to watch a recording of the service, please click on the image below.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Tris Chivers
-
Mike Gretton Heartfelt condolences to Deborah and to Ian’s extended family. This was a wonderful celebration of life. Ian was a tremendous, positive and humble example to all the students who visited his group, and made me feel very welcome during two visits to Bristol.
-
Norihiro Tokitoh Dear Deborah and family,
It was a shock to hear the unexpected news of Ian’s passing.
He was our truly great global leader and made a huge contribution to the success of organometallic and polymer chemistry. I remember that we have first met in Toronto and so many times at a variety of international conferences.
Please accept my sincerest sympathies to you.Norihiro Tokitoh@Kyoto Univ.
-
Subrata Kundu I am deeply saddened that you are no longer with us. Ian was an amazing person, a fantastic mentor, an inspiring scientific hero, and a prolific writer. I will remain thankful to Ian and Deborah for my life and the wonderful time in Victoria. Ian’s book on polymer chemistry is an asset for our MSc students and me. I wish you rest in peace, and you will always be remembered.
-
Lee Brammer I am so sad to hear the news. I first met Ian as a PhD student 40 years ago – Ian was a year ahead of me at Bristol, and the Connelly lab in which he worked was the one across the corridor from where we were located in the crystallography office. I’ve run into Ian a number of times of the past few decades, mostly at conferences on occasions when our interests intersected as inorganic chemists. As many others have noted, what an amazing academic career Ian has had and what an influence he has had on so many he has worked with directly or who have been influenced by his research. I haven’t caught up with Ian for a few years, but throughout all the time I’ve known Ian he was always the same easy going person, easy to chat to whether about science or not. My condolences to Ian’s family – I’m really sorry he’s gone, but it’s great that he had the opportunity to have such a positive impact on so many people.
-
Michael Turner Deborah
Deeply saddened to hear of Ian’s untimely passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family. I followed Ian from Bristol to Penn State and he was extremely welcoming and helpful when I first arrived as a naive young postdoc. He was a brilliant and inventive scientist, as well as modest and kind. A role model and a lovely man, he will be sorely missed.
Mike Turner
-
Ulrich S. Schubert (Friedrich Schiller University Jena) Dear Deborah and family!
Sincere condolences! What an enormous loss. I remember the joint time with Ian, the joint organization of 7 ACS Symposia we organized together with George R. Newkome, his visits in Jena, and our joint publications, besides all the great discussions private times, also at our home. Ian was such a great human and chemist.
Ian, rest in peace.Ulrich (Schubert)
-
Gerald Guerin We have collaborated for so many years and I have always been amazed by Ian’s kindness, positivism, and willingness to encourage and help everybody around him. Ian also had the undeniable talent to write with elegance, transforming a manuscript in a delightful reading. Several laudatory adjectives have been used to describe him. I would certainly choose “admirable”. As we were exchanging during these last two years, I could not help but admiring him when he was telling me how eager he was to resume hiking or that he might have been pushing himself a little bit too hard with his teaching and talks, while, myself, I just want to rest when I catch a mere cold…
Finally, my main regret is that I did not have the chance to talk with him about Pink Floyd and the Monty Python. He would have certainly told me what is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow, either in Europe, Africa or on the dark side of the moon.
Cheers.
-
Derek Gates Dear Deborah, Chris, Hayley and family,
Ian was a hugely influential in my career and life. I shall be forever grateful to him. I have never met anyone who could so perfectly strike the delicate balance of friendship and boss-ship. He had an uncanny ability to focus everyone around him on being the best they can be at chemistry whilst openly displaying a unguarded and infectious enthusiasm for everything from birding to cricket to an occasional shandy. An inspirational mentor and friend, I will be forever grateful for Ian’s guidance during and long after my Ph.D. studies at UofT. Please accept my deepest sympathies as you mourn this great loss.
Derek
-
James Vance My condolences to you Deborah and your family.
I always thought very highly of Ian – his generosity with his time and experience always made me feel like a valued member of his group during my time at the University of Bristol.
I may not have seen him or spoken to him in quite a while but I always found that he crossed my mind from time to time. Even now , I think back to those times and experiences, as well as the lessons I learned from our conversations, feeling grateful that I had the opportunity to be mentored by such an impressive, humble and wonderful person.
As has been echoed throughout the messages I have read here, I hope some comfort can be taken from the fact that he was and continues to be so highly thought of by so many people all across the world.
James
-
JC Eloi Dear Deborah, Hayley and Chris,
Ian was an exceptional man and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity he gave me to be part of his group in Bristol.
His remarkable generosity, particularly in making time for meaningful conversations, whether to exchange ideas or simply connect, remains vivid in my memory.
I’ll forever hold him in high regard and continue to share stories of my time with him and his group,
JC
-
Mrs Julie Lane Dear Deborah and family – it was with much sadness to learn earlier today of the passing of Ian.
Ian was one of those people who always found time for others in his busy schedule and I especially remember when he took the time to write me a lovely message when I won an award at UoB and also to personally come to see me to say goodbye and wish me well when I moved from Chemistry to Engineering.
I am so sorry for your loss, you must all miss him very much.
Take care,
Julie
-
Elizabeth Ashley Nik and I were very fortunate to have Ian and Debbie as our neighbours when they lived in Wales. They were wonderful and our old cat Cleo used to move in with them when we went on holiday. Animals and children are excellent judges of character. The service yesterday was very moving and it was lovely to see so many shared photos and memories of a wonderful man.
Much love to Debbie Chris and Hayley and everyone xx
-
Sandra Morris Deborah, Hayley, Chris and Family,
As someone else said, what a beautiful celebration of a beautiful person. It was inspiring to hear how Ian’s wonderful qualities, his humility, humour, generosity, mentorship and bright spirit, have positively impacted not only his kids, grandkids, spouse and broader family, but also his world-wide network of students, colleagues and peers. Being myself the spouse of 1 of Ian’s students (Dan Foucher, his first PhD student, whose work and life Ian impacted so positively and profoundly), who was myself positively impacted by both Ian and Debbie, I can also attest to that. It is a wonderful tribute to Ian and to the life he lived that this is so. Debbie and Family, we know Ian will be so greatly missed. We hope this network and memories of the wonderful times you shared with Ian will help to support you and lift you up.
-
Fazila Seker Deborah, Hayley and Chris, What a beautiful celebration of a beautiful life. I did my undergraduate fourth year thesis in Ian’s group at University of Toronto when he was a young Assistant Professor. Although I worked with Ian for just a short while, his encouragement and consistently pushing me to go out and do more than I imagined gave me the courage to do exactly that. Ian gave the greatest gift by inspiring many to discover what we didn’t know we had in ourselves. His imprint on lives and this world will forever be.
With condolences,
Fazila Seker
-
Anne Staubitz Dear Deborah,
Ian will always be in our hearts.
Anne
-
Sue (Cousin) I’m so so very sorry x I have the most magical memories of Ian, and they are precious x
The countless nights watching the stars, the constant hocus pocus chemical whizz bangs and explosions in Uncle Dels garage, and always mostly sitting with his nose in a book, The National Geographic, one I remember so clearly, me looking the piks and Ian taking it all in ❤️ Meeting Debbie for the first time and how proud Ian was when she was pregnant xx Time changes so much, but the everlasting memories of pure happiness and fun will stay with me forever x Thank you Ian for these memories and all the love to Debbie, Hayley and Chris xx My heartfelt sympathy to you all x God Bless ❤️
-
Vincent Annibale Thank you so very much for everything Ian and Deborah, my time in the group in Bristol and Victoria was the best period of my life.
Sending lots of love and my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Ian.
-
Aroop Roy Dear Deborah and Ian’s family,
May the Good Lord give you strength at this hour to mourn and yet reflect on the life with this wonderful person that you called son/husband/father/grandfather/family! There are no words we mortals have to adequately console a family in such a loss.
While one needs to grieve to cope, please focus on the life of this man who so many across the world knew to first be a wonderful human being and then a rare great scientist. I knew him for 40 years, interacted on and off, and he always came across as a friend talking to you, especially the last two times we spoke on Zoom.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Aroop Roy
-
Warren Piers My deepest sympathies to Ian’s family, colleagues, and Manners group members around the world. A true role model whose influence was (and will continue to be) substantial, not just scientifically but humanly. Blessings and peace to Deborah, his kids and grandchildren.
-
Karen Temple Dear Debbie, Chris, and Hayley, it is with such a heavy heart that I send my deepest condolences.
Ian left an indelible mark being a stellar researcher and mentor. His passion, joy and curiosity in chemistry led him to make great contributions to the field. His down-to-earth, cheerfulness and genuine caring for his students made my journey, and no doubt many others, in graduate school impactful far beyond the degree.
Love transcends death – may his memory be a blessing.
Thoughts and prayers, Karen
-
Hang Zhou That summer in Bristol not only allows me to learn the lab technique of a first-class polymer lab, but also to meet and talk with Ian as such a wonderful mentor. His insightfulness in science and love & caring to surroundings will always be remembered. May him rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to all the Manners family.
Hang (Joey) Zhou
-
Charl and Jacqueline Faul Dear Deborah, Hayley & Kyle, Chris & Navi, Rhys, Gavin, Alys, and little James,
We think of you especially today as you prepare to celebrate Ian’s extraordinary life. His spirit was beautiful and we are honored to have known Ian as a dear friend and a beloved colleague. His generous spirit, and yours, was a great blessing to us over the many years.
His example of being a loving and caring husband, being so proud of his children, and so warmly sharing the joy that his grandchildren brought, will forever stay with us.
As we join you in mourning his loss, know that Ian will live on in our memories for the kind and thoughtful person that he was, for his great science and his deep desire to see others grow and flourish.
Thank you for sharing Ian with us!
Our Love, Jacqueline and Charl
-
Eric Yiu (Sze Chun, YIU) Dear Deborah,
Being supervised by one of the giant in Chemistry world is an experience of lifetime, even with just a year. Ian has always been a cheerful, creative and supportive mentor, who broadens my horizon and inspire my career development.
I am saddened to hear the loss of Ian, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.Eric Yiu
-
Jia TIAN Dear Deborah and family,
We are immersed in profound sorrow over the passing of Prof. Ian Manners. He was a brilliant scientist and an exceptional mentor to many of us. His contributions to the field of chemistry were significant and will never be forgotten. More than that, he was a kind and caring person who always went out of his way to help others.
Words cannot express how saddened we are by his loss. Please accept our sincerest condolences. We share in your grief and we want you to know that you are not alone during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you and your family. May you find peace and comfort in the memories of the wonderful times you shared with Ian.
With deepest sympathy,
Jia and Kasumi
-
Xuhui Jin I am deeply saddened by the passing of Ian. He personified the true essence of a scientist, and his unwavering dedication to science, coupled with his meticulous and optimistic spirit, illuminated the paths of numerous young minds. I am grateful for Ian’s guidance throughout my four years at Bristol. Every moment shared with him, along with his warm smiles and kindness towards others, will be fondly cherished in my memory forever.
-
Juan Zheng Dear Deborah and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Ian’s passing. Ian took me into his group when I was a 1st year undergrad and mentored me onto my eventual career and life path. I will deeply miss his kindness and cheer. My sincere condolences to your entire family.
Best regards,
Juan.
-
Andy and Justine Pullan Dear Debbie,
It is with great sadness that we write this and we send our deepest condolences to you and all your family. We have such very fond memories of spending time with you and Ian and our thoughts are with you all.
-
Lei Wu I deeply express my sadness to hear this news. Prof Manners is a really cool and enthusiastic scientist and teacher. I admire and worship him for long time especially on hie long wonderful research on polymer chemistry and self-assembly. May he rest in peace.
-
Mark MacLachlan Dear Deborah and family,
I was very sad to hear of Ian’s passing – much too soon for this great man. Ian had an enormous impact on my career and life, and that of many, many others who passed through his lab and met him. Beyond his exceptional scientific contributions, Ian was generous with his time, cheerful and always supportive. The impact he had on the Canadian scientific community is immense.
Condolences to you all at this time.
Shark
-
Nikki My sincere condolences to all who knew Prof. Ian Manners. His impact on his community speaks for itself.
-
Harald Stover Ian was the kindest, brightest mind one could wish to meet and work with. We are fortunate to have known him, and so grateful that he returned to Canada to help push our communities a bit further. He will be sorely missed.
-
Siti Fairus Mohd Yusoff Dear Deborah,
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ian. It is with a heavy heart that I offer my deepest condolences to you and your entire family during this difficult time.
Throughout his life, Ian was not only a great person but also an exceptional academician and scientist. His contributions to the field were immense, and his dedication to his work inspired many, including myself. I will always be grateful for the knowledge, guidance, and mentorship he provided during my time as his student. His impact on my academic and personal growth is immeasurable.
In this time of mourning, may you and your family find comfort and peace. Hold on to the cherished moments and accomplishments he achieved throughout his life, and may they serve as a reminder of his incredible legacy.
-
Julian Zhu I am deeply saddened by the passing of Ian. He was an icon in the polymer community, not only in Canada, but also in the world. He will be remembered by us all. My condolences to his family; my thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.
-
Bo Hou Bo Hou (Cardiff University)
As proud Bristol Alumni, I am deeply saddened by Prof. Ian Manners’ passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of this extraordinary scientist, mentor, and Bristol legend. I still vividly recall Ian’s enlightening talks and lectures on the fascinating science of polymers. The last time I met Ian in the UK was at the Cavendish Laboratory, and that scene remains etched in my memory. Ian’s lasting contributions to polymer science, self-assembly, and flexible electronics will be remembered and continue to inspire us. May he rest in peace.
-
Julius Vancso With tears in my eye I write to say farewell. We started together at the University of Toronto, and eventually moved thousands of kilometres away, you to the West, an I to the East, from Toronto. Yet in spirit and as friends we never parted. Your sharp intellect, your smile, your spirit stay with me forever. Debbie, children, family, we are with you.
-
Professor Steve Eichhorn It was a pleasure knowing you all but briefly with our time together at Bristol. My love to all your family and friends.
-
Mike Lawson Dear Debbie, Hayley & Chris, devastated to hear your loss. Fond memories of Ian’s dry sense of humour and his drive to get a First Class Honours to give his young family stabiiity, and start what became a stellar career. I echo what his students and mentees have said about his generosity and motivation skill, he certainly saved my degree by sharing and discussing his “Theoretical” notes during our undergrad 2nd year, generous to the last. Whilst we had lost touch since Toronto I will cherish the time we spent together at Churchill and your 1st house in Easton. Take care.
-
Yifan Zhang My deepest condolences go out to Ian’s family during this incredibly challenging time. The weight of this loss is still something I find difficult to bear. Throughout our three years of collaboration from 2019 to 2022, working side by side as a postdoc with Ian in Bristol and Victoria, my view of science underwent a profound transformation, and my passion for research was kindled. Ian was more than just an extraordinary scientist; he was an inspiring mentor and a true friend. The moments we shared in Bristol and Victoria are cherished memories etched in my heart. May his legacy continue to inspire us all.
-
Alan Weedon I am so sad that Ian has passed. I got to meet him at chemistry conferences in the early to mid 1990s and got to know his work through reading his grant applications. He was clearly doing great things as a researcher and had the promise of a strong career ahead – which he achieved and sustained in spades. He was also a person who was caring and respectful of others – something that comes through strongly in Neil Burford’s wonderful In Memoriam on the U Vic website. There was also a personal connection. In talking at some conference social event we discovered that his father had regularly played table tennis with my uncle at the Esso research facility in the UK where they both worked. My condolences to his family; it is so unfair that he has been taken from you so soon.
-
Ben Zhong Tang I’m deeply saddened to hear about Ian’s passing. My deepest condolences for the loss of such a great scientist. May Ian rest in peace.
-
Alexandra Bartole-Scott Deborah, Hayley, Chris and family,
We would like to send our deepest condolences to those closest to Ian for this tremendous loss.
Ian has obviously touched so many people’s lives around the world, and many are considered fortunate to have been in his research groups during his career. Ian demonstrated intelligence, patience, humility, and humour with every interaction. He was an amazing mentor, and will be missed.
In the same way that he signed every email, this is a sorrowful cheers to you, Ian.
Alex Bartole-Scott (Manners Group 2000-2005) and Robert Scott
-
Kim Baines Dear Deborah and family,
I met Ian when he started his faculty appointment at U of T. Over the years, I’ve seen many inspiring lectures by Ian and have appreciated the many engaging conversations we have had. His passing is such a loss for the global chemistry community and an even greater loss for his beloved family of whom he spoke to me so fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
-
Robert A Stairs My sympathy and condolences to Ian’s family and to his colleagues at UVic. It was an hour and a delight to have him as the Stairs Lecturer at Trent.
-
Hanadi Sleiman My sincerest condolences. Ian was a wonderful colleague, mentor and human being, and I was blessed to have met him since the start of my career at McGill. Ian is one of the scientists I admire the most, in his creativity and the way that he changed the field of polymer chemistry. He will really be missed. May he rest in peace.
-
Rishi Gupta My deepest condolences to Ian’s family. You will be greatly missed at UVic.
-
Hugo Bronstein My deepest condolences. He was an amazing scientist and fantastic person.
-
Guojun Liu What a great human being and brilliant scientist! Tremendous loss for Canada and the scientific community. I would always remember his friendly smile and his advice and encouragement over my career.
-
Alejandro Presa My sincere condolences on the loss of Ian. The period spent as a post-doctoral researcher under his supervision at Bristol holds great significance in my academic career. Ian was not only an outstanding scientist but also someone who effectively instilled in me a deep passion for chemistry. I recall him as an exceptional person, always accessible and tirelessly committed to ensuring that our time in his research group was as enriching as possible. He exemplified scientific and personal values rarely found in a single individual. Ian leaves behind an enduring legacy, and his memory will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this challenging time.
-
Rumman Ahmed A very sad day for the scientific community and those who knew Ian.
I am very saddened with this news and am sending love and condolences to you Deborah and the Manners family.The legacy left behind by Ian will live on for years and years through the family and the amazing scientific research he has achieved/accomplished.
Although the last time I saw saw both Ian and Deborah in Bristol was in early 2017, feels like just the other day…
You will truly be missed – a genius of this scientific era!
-
Rudy Rulkens I remember Ian when from his first days setting up his lab at university of Toronto in the early 90ies. He made such enthusiastic impression on me that I decided to spend a research period in his lab, which was an unforgettable experience. I will always remember Ian as a cheerful and extremely motivated scientist. In context of Ian being a post-doc at the group of Prof. Peter Paetzold (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Paetzold) at the RWTH Aachen I also like to mention Peter’s recent death on 17. August 2023. They were both important chemists that shaped my life.
-
Eva Hevia (University of Bern) My heart goes out to Ian’s family and friends in these difficult times. Ian was one of the most inspiring and kind people I have ever met. He was truly inspirational and also incredibly supportive and generous. RIP
-
Holger Braunschweig Dear Deborah,
Please accept our sincere condolences. When I first met Ian in Aachen in the late 1980s he immediately impressed me as a super nice, friendly and supportive human being and as an outstanding scientist. We became good friends and while he was my age, he also set an example to me. Ian will be sadly missed by many.
Holger Braunschweig
-
Mohsen Akbari from UVic I’m truly sorry for your loss. The news hit me hard, and I’m devastated to learn that we’ve lost someone of immense stature in the scientific community, a truly exceptional person, and a cherished friend. His legacy will endure in our memories, and his impact will never fade away.
-
Chris Orvig A huge loss to Canadian chemistry and much greater loss to his closest – peace be with you Deborah and family. Ian will be long-remembered in many hearts in many places.
-
Scott McIndoe Enormous loss – Ian was a towering scientific figure but at the same time a very down to earth guy who I had far too short a time with as colleague & friend. He was always very generous with his time, always provided sage advice, was invariably positive and upbeat and an absolute champion of his students. My deepest condolences to all his loved ones.
-
Rui Resendes Dear Deborah,
Please accept my sincere condolences. Ian was a great man and made a lasting impact in his field and with the many professionals he has mentored over the years. I can certainly say that I would not be where I am today if not for Ian. He will live on in the annals of science and in the hearts and minds of the countless people he has taught, guided and inspired.
I hope that you and your family can reflect on happy memories of Ian and that those memories assuage some of your grief.
-
Paramjit & Jasmit Hundal Dear Navi and Chris . Sorry for your loss. Please accept our condolences. Loss of a. Parent leaves a big void in our lives. May Lord give you the strength to bear the loss.
-
Jose Raez My deepest condolences to his family. His smile, humour and enthusiasm were always contagious, especially when experiments wouldn’t work or go anywhere. He always knew how to boost morale. He touched so many lives. He certainly touched mine. RIP, Ian.
-
Kajin Lee Prof Ian Manners was such an inspiration and an excellent research manager with sincere care and love for his students and post-docs despite the huge number of group members. It seems like yesterday when I sat in his office to discuss manuscripts, research and thesis chapters. His dedication of many 1:1 sessions for his grad students to listen to their presentations several times and to prepare each student for their oral examinations. I was discussing my project to decipher reaction mechanisms and I remembered his words of encouragement to tell me “this is as difficult as science gets”.
I am very sad to hear of his passing and my sincere condolences to his loved ones. Sending my big hugs to Deborah.
-
Sanjib Patra, IIT Kharagpur, India My condolences on the loss of Ian. It was my honor to work under his supervision. I can’t forget his smiling face. Great loss to Scientific community. You will be always with us.
-
Derek Jackson My condolences to the entire family. As an undergraduate at U of T, I took a couple courses that Ian taught. I really admired his informal and friendly teaching style and part of that carries on in my own lectures at York. -Derek
-
Ron Rulkens Ian was an extremely cheerful mentor. Someone that I connected with on a deep personal level. Extremely smart and caring. He made such a positive contribution to all his students and colleagues’ lives. Professor Manners is leaving a lasting legacy of impressive work to the scientific community. He will be continue to live on in our hearts and memory.
Ronnomer
-
Stephanie Willerth My condolences on the loss of Ian. He was an amazing collaborator and scientist who was an inspiration to the younger generation. It was a pleasure working with him on research projects and other initiatives.
-
Jay T. Cullen Please accept condolences on behalf of myself and the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at UVic on Ian’s passing.
-
Laurel Schafer My sincere condolences for your loss. I was aware of his courageous battle and I am so sad to hear of his passing. I knew Ian through the Canadian Chemistry Community where his contributions and legacy are large and lasting. His work, his approach and his mentorship have touched many. This shared grief will be spread around the world. I hope you feel the concern and support of all those that are thankful that you shared your husband, father, grandfather so generously and with so many. Peace be with you.
-
Bob Morris It was an honour working with Ian over the years. He was such a great colleague and friend. What a loss.
-
Rasmita Raval Science has lost a fine mind and an even finer man.
My deepest condolences to Debbie and the family- our thoughts are with you at this difficult time,
Rasmita
-
Matt Rosseinsky I am deeply saddened. Ian was a brilliant person, extraordinarily talented and extremely modest given his stellar achievements in science. I offer my sincere condolences to Ian’s family.
-
Andy Cooper (University of Liverpool) This is a true loss to the world: all my thoughts are with Ian’s family and coworkers. Ian was one of the most brilliant and inventive chemists of his generation, and someone who I always looked up to. He did exceptionally innovative work throughout his career and had a hugely positive effect on the careers of so many colleagues, who I know loved him dearly. He also managed to combine great success with modesty, humour, and consideration for others. Early in my career I gave a research lecture in Bristol and went for a drink afterwards with Ian. He gave me some very kind, insightful, and encouraging advice, which really helped me at the time. I’m sure that there are 100’s of similar stories from the chemistry community. Ian leaves an amazing legacy in his family, his colleagues, and his beautiful, amazing chemistry. He will be missed enormously.
-
Alex Adronov My sincere condolences for this enormous loss. Canada, and the world, has lost not only a giant of scientific research, but an incredibly kind, generous, and supportive mentor, colleague, and friend. I will never forget the encounters I had with him and the genuine excitement and support he always expressed for my work. I am sure countless others have had similarly positive interactions with him. Ian will be sorely missed.
-
Ulrich Mayer Dear Deborah,
I am very sorry for your loss. I hope that Ian didn’t suffer and that somehow you will be able to find some measure of peace and comfort with your family during this difficult time.
My heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to you and your family.
-
dr. Vasilios Bellas Sincere condolences to Ian’s family. I have the best memories from him. He was a scientific giant, an inspirational professor for his students and coworkers, and simultaneously a great person with human sensitivity. Rest in peace.
-
Diego Garcia No words can describe how sorry I am for the loss of Ian. Ian was an incredible mentor, supervisor, and a splendid person. My heart goes out to Deborah and the Manners family in this time of sorrow. Please receive my deepest sympathy and know I am thinking of you in this difficult time.
-
Jieshu Qian Dear Ian, it is with extreme sadness for me to say goodbye to you. You have been a great mentor to me throughout my Ph.D and postdoc periods. I will never forget every detail how you taught me science and how nice you cared about my personal life, which helped me build my own career after I left Bristol. I enjoyed every piece of moment with you. I wish you rest in peace, and you will always be remembered. – Jieshu
-
Gurt and Rindi Pawan Dear Navi and Chris,
Please accept our deepest condolences at this very difficult time.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Gurt & Rindi Pawan and Family
-
Alex Young This is such sad news. I knew Ian from his time at the University of Toronto. He was such a positive person, a joy to be around. I had hoped that his love of Tim Horton’s coffee would keep him from leaving the UofT and returning to Bristol, and perhaps it did as he came back to Canada to UVic. although it took a few years!
Condolences to his family.
Alex Young
Dear Deborah,
Please accept my heartfelt, albeit belated, condolences on Ian’s recent passing.
I had the good fortune to interact with Ian through an NSERC collaborative Research Grant, coauthoring a book on Inorganic Rings and Polymers, visits to the U of T and the University of Bristol, and his visits to Calgary where we enjoyed a hike in the Canadian Rockies. In addition to being a pre-eminent scientist, Ian was a warm, supportive collaborator and friend. My last meeting with him was at the CSC meeting in Calgary in 2022 where we only had time for a brief hand=shake prior to his lecture. With characteristic modesty he sent a message from the airport that evening apologizing for not having time to chat and sending best wishes to Sue and me.
Ian’s seminal contributions to advances in chemistry and materials sciences will endure for many years, as will his positive influence on the many students and colleagues who benefitted from his mentorship or collaboration.
Sincerely,
Tris Chivers