June 2011
A Tribute to David R. Colman (January 4, 1949 – June 1, 2011)

David Colman, Director of the Neuro, passed away unexpectedly on June 1, 2011. In their announcement of this sad news, McGill University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum and McGill University Health Centre Director General and CEO the Honorable Arthur T. Porter expressed their profound sense of loss. Since that time, Dr. Colman’s colleagues at The Neuro have received messages from scientists and friends around the world sharing their sorrow over the loss of such a visionary, creative and committed scientist and leader who was also a remarkable mentor and friend.

On June 3, members of the Neuro community gathered together to express our respect and affection for Dr. Colman. The tribute ceremony was led by Thomas Gevas, Neuro Associate Director and CFO, who was a close associate during Dr. Colman’s nearly decade long tenure as Director. Others who reflected on their personal and professional relationships with Dr. Colman were: Senator W. David Angus, Chairman of the MUHC Board of Directors; Anthony Masi, Provost, McGill University; Jacques Bougie, Neuro Advisory Board Chairman; Boris Zalc, scientific colleague and member of the Neuro Advisory Board; John Bergeron, former Chairman, McGill Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Donatella Tampieri, neuroradiologist and Chairman of the Council of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists at The Neuro; Angela Genge, neurologist and Director of The Neuro's Clinical Research Unit; Rolando Del Maestro, neurosurgeon and Director of The Neuro's Brain Tumour Research Centre; Robert Dunn, Associate Director Scientific Affairs at The Neuro; and Martine Alfonso, Administrative Director of the Neuroscience Mission at the MUHC.

Premier Jean Charest and Richard Levin, Vice Principal for Health Affairs and Dean of Medicine at McGill University, sent letters of tribute that were read at the ceremony.

A private funeral was held in New York and a memorial ceremony will be held in Montreal at a later date.

This month we dedicate the Neuro News to the memory of David Colman, who established this forum in 2003 and whose comments in the Director’s Corner always provoked thought and discussion. McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum whose friendship with Dr. Colman dated to the 1970s, and MUHC Director General and CEO Arthur Porter reflect here on their special relationship with Dr. Colman. The tributes and reflections of others from the community gathering on June 3 are included here, as are obituaries and articles about Dr. Colman’s life.

Tributes

Message
from Premier Jean Charest

Remembering David Colman, Polymath-in-Chief
by Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University

Remembering David Colman, a Spirited Explorer
by Arthur T. Porter, Director General and CEO, McGill University Health Centre

June 3 Tribute Proceedings
Remembrances of the late David R. Colman
by Senator W. David Angus, Chair, MUHC Board of Directors

Memorial Speech for David R. Colman
by Anthony Masi, Provost, McGill University

Condolences to friends and colleagues of David Colman
Richard Levin, McGill VP (Heath Affairs) and Dean of Medicine, and Mara Ludwig, Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs

Tribute to David Colman
by Jacques Bougie, Chair, The Neuro Advisory Board

Please follow the links to the numerous obituaries and articles that have appeared in the media in recent weeks.

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