08-11 2020 19:08
wrote:
Such a tragic, sudden loss. Chris gave so much and still had so much to give. Just reading the condolences on this website is testament to how much of a difference he made to people. I studied Natural Sciences at St. John’s College at the same time as Chris and I recall his decision during the second year to devote himself to the study of chemistry. From then on there was no turning back. I visited Chris and Katherine when they were in Providence, Rhode Island where Chris was studying for a Post Doctorate degree. We drove up to New Hampshire and back on one memorable beautiful May day in 1983; an excellent trip with beautiful scenery. I also recall one St. John’s dinner many years ago when Chris was so pleased to tell me he had been able to help at least four of his Post Doctorate students achieve professorships; I have no idea how many more he helped since then. He seized opportunities and wanted to do his best. We lost touch, then 18 months ago when I and my family were visiting Cambridge, purely by chance we bumped into Chris in the Market Place. It was just like 40 years ago; he hadn't changed and still had the same boyish enthusiasm for all he was doing. He was so pleased that a second drug that he had been working on had received US FDA approval. His role as pro-vice chancellor was just yet one more example of him wanting to help others. He did make a difference and will continue to do so through his science, but even more so through the positive influence he had on so many students and friends. Chris will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to Katherine and Daniel.
Alan Simpson (St. John’s, 1976) and family.
08-11 2020 19:08
wrote:
Such a tragic, sudden loss. Chris gave so much and still had so much to give. Just reading the condolences on this website is testament to how much of a difference he made to people. I studied Natural Sciences at St. John’s College at the same time as Chris and I recall his decision during the second year to devote himself to the study of chemistry. From then on there was no turning back. I visited Chris and Katherine when they were in Providence, Rhode Island where Chris was studying for a Post Doctorate degree. We drove up to New Hampshire and back on one memorable beautiful May day in 1983; an excellent trip with beautiful scenery. I also recall one St. John’s dinner many years ago when Chris was so pleased to tell me he had been able to help at least four of his Post Doctorate students achieve professorships; I have no idea how many more he helped since then. He seized opportunities and wanted to do his best. We lost touch, then 18 months ago when I and my family were visiting Cambridge, purely by chance we bumped into Chris in the Market Place. It was just like 40 years ago; he hadn't changed and still had the same boyish enthusiasm for all he was doing. He was so pleased that a second drug that he had been working on had received US FDA approval. His role as pro-vice chancellor was just yet one more example of him wanting to help others. He did make a difference and will continue to do so through his science, but even more so through the positive influence he had on so many students and friends. Chris will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to Katherine and Daniel.
Alan Simpson (St. John’s, 1976) and family.
