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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  • George Campbell Becking, In Memoriam

    1950s

    George Campbell Becking

    – BA'58, MSc'60, PhD'62

    On the morning of June 4, 2025, quickly after an eight-year battle with Parkinson's, George passed away receiving care at Montfort Hospital and finally hospice care in La Maison de l’Est in Ottawa.

    Predeceased by his wife, Monica (nee McMonagle) of 55 years in 2014; his parents, Harvey and Clementine; and five of his six siblings. He is survived by his son, Ian (Amanda); his daughter, Lynn (Mus'90) (Scott Howes); and his three granddaughters: Amelia, Sarah, and Meghan.

    Born in Mimico, Ont., and raised on a small farm in what is now Mississauga, Ont., he was the youngest of seven children. His upbringing during the late stages of the Depression and the Second World War was tough, but that upbringing is what shaped his outlook on life and shaped his character.

    He was a scientist, focused on risk assessment and setting standards for provincial, federal, and international environmental safety. He received his education from Queen’s and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, resulting in his PhD from Queen's in 1962. He worked for Dow Chemical in Indianapolis, the Canadian Government in Ottawa, and then the World Health Organization in Copenhagen and in Geneva, Switzerland by way of Raleigh, North Carolina.

    After a lot of travelling for work and pleasure, he and Mom retired to the Kingston area in 1995. Our Dad was a man of his word, which was reflected not only in his Queen’s friendships, his work and travels, meeting new colleagues, but also in how he lived his life with his wife and family. If he said he was going to do something you knew he would follow through.

    Cremation has already taken place, and a private family ceremony will happen over the summer. In lieu of flowers, if you are able, please consider donating to either Parkinson's Canada, the Montfort Foundation or Hospice Care Ottawa. Or if you wish, play an old Hank Snow song and remember your own dad. 

  • Jean Lund, In Memoriam

    1950s

    Jean Lund

    – BA’51

    Jean Mildred Lund (nee Culver) passed away after a short illness on Monday, June 16, 2025, in Calgary, Alta., at the age of 96.

    Jean was born and raised on the family farm on the outskirts of Simcoe, Ont. and maintained close ties with family and friends there throughout her life. She was a member of Arts’51 at Queen’s , earning a BA (Honours) and playing on the varsity women’s basketball team. Following graduation, she attended the Ontario College of Education (OCE) and obtained a teaching certificate. Jean enjoyed her years at Queen's and OCE, where she made lifelong friendships.

    She taught high school for four years, first in Thorold, Ont., and then in Sarnia, Ont., where she met her future husband, Neil Lund. They were married for 64 years, until Neil’s death in 2020. Jean and Neil moved several times as his career progressed, living in Sarnia, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Fort McMurray. They shared many interests, including the performing arts, bridge, cross-country skiing, and travelling extensively throughout Canada and the world.

    A talented and enthusiastic gardener, Jean created beautiful gardens at each of their homes. She was a welcoming hostess who enjoyed entertaining many visitors. Jean was an avid reader and CBC Radio listener and was well informed on a broad range of topics. She was active in the Canadian Federation of University Women, serving on the Edmonton branch executive for several years and as the president for two years.

    She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Pattison (David); sons, Charlie and Eric (Rocio); and four granddaughters, Laura, Anne, Elisa, and Sonia. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia Fraser, and her sister-in-law, Karen Culver, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Neil; daughter, Joan; parents, Lloyd and Mildred (McNamara) Culver; sister, Mary Chambers; and brother, Sylvenus Culver.

    The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Rocky Ridge Retirement Community and the Foothills Medical Centre Unit 46 for their compassionate care of Jean.

    Intelligent, hardworking, determined, and generous, Jean will be greatly missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

  • W. R. "Bob" Dengler, In Memoriam

    1960s

    W. R. "Bob" Dengler

    – BSc'65 DSc'88

    Bob passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Aurora, Ont., at the age of 84.

    He was born in Kirkland Lake, Ont., to William and Marion Dengler and is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Patricia; his children, Steven (Bruna), Sandy, Heather (Stefan), and Andrea (Kevin); his grandchildren, Raffaele, Samantha, Jayden, Beric, Dylan, Daniel, and Nora; his brother, Peter (Barb); and Patricia’s siblings, Lorraine (Bob), Elmer, and June.

    Bob had a passion for travel that took him and Pat on many wonderful adventures together. They climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro when Bob was 74. A year later they walked the Camino de Santiago Trail in Spain. They visited Silverback Gorillas in Rwanda and went on many African safaris. Vacations with friends were always on the books, visiting New Zealand, golfing in South Africa, travel to Iceland, and, most recently, their holiday in Bora Bora. Most cherished was his trip to Disney ,where he took his entire family. They also enjoyed golfing with friends all over the world. Bob’s love for golf was only surpassed by his passion for flying and fast cars. He managed to fit several lifetimes worth of exploits into his own, with never a dull moment.

    From the depths of the Earth to the heights of the sky, Bob’s indomitable spirit was legendary. In 2005, at the age of 66, he earned his helicopter pilot’s licence. In 2017, Bob and his son, Steven, flew the Canada 150 Global Odyssey, the first Canadian circumnavigation of the world by helicopter. Bob also had an affinity for beautiful cars. He particularly adored Ferraris and was a dedicated fan of the Ferrari Formula 1 Team.

    Bob worked as a hard rock miner during his university years, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from Queen’s in 1965. He joined Redpath Mining as VP and general manager, developing numerous projects around the world. In 1980 he founded a new firm with William (Bill) Shaver, Dynatec Mining Limited.

    Bob and Bill grew Dynatec from a small startup into a truly international force. Under their leadership, Dynatec expanded into the U.S. and developed groundbreaking equipment and processes now widely used in the mining industry. Bob also lectured tirelessly on mining safety from university campuses to global conferences. His many contributions to the mining industry were recognized with an Honourary Doctorate from Queen’s in 1988 and the Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum’s McParland Memorial Award in 1990. After first bringing the company public, he retired as CEO in 2005 and served as vice-chairman of the board of directors and an officer of the company until 2007.

    Bob lived a life of extraordinary breadth, making an indelible mark on everyone he encountered. He leaves behind a legacy of love, loyalty, and laughter. He will be remembered always with affection.

  • 2000s

    Scott Gammon

    – Artsci’20

    Scott Gammon passed away on April 26, 2021. He is survived by his parents, Guy (MEd’84) and Susan Gammon.

  • 1970s

    Thomas McLean Poaps

    – BSc’72

    Thomas McLean Poaps, April 10, 1950 – May 8, 2025

    With deep sadness we report that Tom, while being treated for cancer, suffered a stroke at his home in Sarasota, Florida. He was hospitalized a few days before he died.

    Tom was born in Ottawa. When he was quite young, the family relocated to Stanstead, Que., where his father was in the family business. Tom attended primary and secondary school in Stanstead and then attended Queen’s, where he became a mechanical engineer. Two years in Montreal followed and then Harvard University. After a short stay in the banking sector, he became associated with a real estate developer in the Boston area. He then established his own real estate operation in Bradenton, Florida. Tom was planning a second marriage plus a trip to Africa.

    Tom was a keen woodsman and loved to take his beautiful Weimaraner “Hunter” out partridge hunting in the fall in the woods around Stanstead. The house in Bradenton was situated on a canal, so he was also an active boatman in the spring. Tom ran in the Boston Marathon and was ever proud of the fact that he finished “in the middle.” Recently he had become an enthusiast of antique cars and was the proud owner of two vintage Cadillac Eldorados.

    Tom is mourned by his fiancée, Amy Haggerty; his sister, Joan V. Drechsler; his uncle, Richard Poaps, and Richard’s children, Richard, John, and Susan; cousins, Margot Lincoln and William Poaps, and their families. He was predeceased by his father, Philip, and by his mother, Margaret (Broach) Poaps in 2019.

  • Ann Blomberg, In Memoriam

    1980s

    Ann Blomberg

    – BNSc '82

    Ann passed away on Feb. 28, 2025, at 65.

    She is survived by her husband, Owen Harries (Sc'83); children, Greg (Sc’13) (Kate) and Gillian; siblings, Andrew (Sandra) and Patricia (Darryl); mother, Sara, and extended family and friends.