Obituaries
Please alert us to the recent death of any other Rhodes Scholar by emailing communications@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk.
Born in Summerside, Norman Webster grew up in the Eastern Townships and went to Bishop’s University in Lennoxville. In his last year at Bishop’s, Norman won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University to study philosophy, politics and economics. While studying at Oxford, Norman met his future wife Patterson en route to France.
Norman began working at the Globe as a reporter in 1965 and reported from Quebec City, China, Ontario and England. He became editor-in-chief of the Globe and Mail from 1983 to 1989. He is perhaps most famous for his reporting on China during the Cultural Revolution in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as one of the few Western reporters in China at the time.
After leaving the Globe and Mail, Norman became editor-in-chief of the Montreal Gazette from 1989 to 1993 and continued to write a regular column for the newspaper after stepping down from that role.
After leaving his job as editor of the Gazette, Norman ran the R. Howard Webster Foundation, which gives grants to non-profit corporations.
Norman died in November 2021 from complications of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 80.
Norman leaves his wife, Patterson; children, David, Andrew, Derek, Gillian and Hilary; 11 grandchildren; sister, Maggie; and many nieces and nephews.
Wilf was born in Wagenitz, Germany shortly after WW2. As a toddler his mother bravely risked carrying him over 'no-man's land' when his parents escaped East Germany for a safer life. The family settled in east Vancouver.
Wilf excelled in athletics and academics. As a 20-yr old high jumper, he was Simon Fraser University's first Olympian. Later, he became SFU's first Rhodes Scholar, achieving a master's degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford.
He returned to Canada and built a career as a respected change agent and leader. Career highlights include founding the Premier's Sport Awards Program with fellow Olympian Harry Jerome, leadership roles with many national sport organizations, producing a TV series, and coaching high jump. Wilf finished his career as SFU's Athletic Director where he left a legacy of new facilities. Wilf sought to contribute to his community through sport and he challenged most people in leadership roles to think in untraditional ways.
Giacomo “James” Gobbo was born in Carlton, Victoria, in 1931.
Born in Melbourne to Italian parents, he was the first person from a non-English speaking background to ever be appointed a state governorship. After graduating from the University of Melbourne, he received a Rhodes Scholarship and left Oxford with a BA and an MA.
Sir James' continued contribution to the law, multicultural affairs and hospitals was recognised in 1993 when he was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia.
Sir James served as the 25th governor of Victoria from 1997 until 2000, under premiers Jeff Kennett and Steve Bracks. He was appointed to Victoria’s Supreme Court in 1978 and was knighted in 1982 for his services to the community.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, said:
“Sir James was rightly proud of his rich Italian heritage and of the multicultural nation he served. In so many ways Sir James was the father of modern multiculturalism in Australia, which stands as one of his most significant legacies."
Sir James also served as the chairman of the Council of the National Library of Australia, the Australian Multicultural Foundation and the National Advisory Commission on Ageing, and served on the Council for the Order of Australia.
Ronald Storrs McCall died peacefully in Lachute, Quebec, surrounded by his family, at the age of 91. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Ann (née Griffin), his children, Mengo, Kai (Sepideh), Sophie (David) and his grandchildren Kalliopé, Anoushak, Timoléon, Maya, Skye and Scarlet.
Storrs was a deeply curious person with a lifelong love of learning. He brought big ideas to all he did as a philosopher, teacher, farmer and fun-loving family man. He loved sports and was a true all-rounder in golf, hockey, rowing, tennis, squash and skiing. Together with Ann, he hosted many memorable dinner parties. He loved head-scratching riddles, valued conversation and challenged his guests intellectually in friendly and generous ways. He was committed to many causes, from promoting education in Uganda and Southern Sudan in the 1960s, resisting land expropriation at Mirabel in the 1970s, promoting a bilingual and multicultural Quebec in the 1980s, proposing a Great Books program at McGill University in the 1990s and supporting the Nature Conservancy of Canada in the 2000s. His warm, positive and hopeful vision of life was shaped by values of fairness and generosity.
Always a top student, Storrs became a Rhodes scholar in 1953 and earned his D.Phil in 1964 at Oxford University. With interests in philosophy and math, physics and literature, art and politics, he was a true Renaissance man, bridging academic disciplines. His life's work as a philosopher culminated in his landmark book, A Model of the Universe (Oxford 1994). Beginning with a straightforward explanation of time flow using a branched tree model, the book applies advanced theories of quantum mechanics and math to shed light on enduring philosophical questions.
Storrs had a legendary style of lecturing, captivating generations of students with his accessible delivery, his humour and his brightly patterned, wide ties. He believed everyone benefited from studying the great thinkers in the Western canon, and his Introduction to Philosophy class was taken by thousands of undergraduates who went on to pursue careers in many different fields. From 1965 to 1971, he and others worked to establish the study of philosophy at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. He also taught at the University of Pittsburgh before returning with his young family to McGill. He had a long-standing presence at McGill, with over fifty years of teaching, beginning in his early twenties. He was a daily attendee at the Faculty Club where he joined fellow academics in lively discussions over lunch. He gave generously to McGill, establishing the Professor Storrs McCall Fellowship for Graduate Students in Philosophy in 2019.
North River Farm was Storrs's true home, and a gathering place for his immediate and extended family. His interests at the farm included agriculture as well as a deep commitment to nature and conservation. Storrs's father first established the farm, and it grew further with the dedicated contributions of Bill Brass, his son Ian Brass, and Clifton Berry. Their expertise in agriculture produced top quality Jersey and Aberdeen Angus herds, maple syrup, and crops. A decade ago, wishing to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of the farm in perpetuity, Storrs signed a document of protection with the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
All of his accomplishments would not have had meaning without Storrs's beloved wife and companion, Ann. They met in 1962 in the philosophy classroom at McGill. Waiting until after her graduation, they married and set off on a life of adventure; enjoying a happy and harmonious marriage of fifty-seven years. Their compatibility extended in everything they did. They enjoyed combining work and pleasure, whether it was singing together in a choir or taking sabbaticals in Australia. In later years, Storrs was lovingly cared for by Ann, who always encouraged him to stay active and connected to his family. For Storrs, his enduring love for his family always came first and was the source of his greatest happiness.
Originally from Victoria, Peter Bailey attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and studied History at Corpus Christi IN 1950. Since 1999 he was Adjunct Professor in the ANU College of Law, after being a Visiting Fellow from 1987 to 1998. Before that, and between 1981 and 1986, he was Deputy Chairman and full-time chief executive of the Commonwealth's Human Rights Commission. His earlier career was in the Commonwealth Public Service, where he served in the Treasury and then in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, becoming a Deputy Secretary in the latter in 1972. He was a full time member of the Royal Commission on Australian Government Administration 1974-76. In his academic life, he made major contributions to Australian human rights law.
Peter was an active member of the Rhodes community, and an Alumni Association Committee Member of the Association of Rhodes Scholars in Australia (ARSA). Former National Secretary Marnie Hughes-Warrington said: "Peter was a generous mentor. He worked hard to set Australia at Large applicants at ease, and was a warm and wise contributor to many events over the years. Vale Peter, and thank you for always standing up for a better world."
Mark Roland Bewsher Oct. 9, 1938 - Oct. 30, 2021 Mark Bewsher, 83, of Tiburon, CA passed peacefully on October 30 from cancer. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Mary Anne, four children and six grandchildren. Humble, faithful, smart, and spiritual, he touched everyone he met and was loved by many. From mapping new places in Peru, starting the kayaking club at Oxford, co-founding Babcock & Brown, saving open spaces in Tiburon in perpetuity, or scaling the mountains on his road bike, he will be remembered and missed.
Guy studied at Dalhousie University where he received a BA and MA in History. While at university, he played Varsity football, rugby and hockey. As a Rhodes Scholar, he attended New College, Oxford. While there, he played hockey with the Oxford University Ice Hockey team, the New College cricket and rugby teams. After Oxford, Guy proceeded to Duke University where he earned a PhD. He then returned to Dalhousie where he taught history for 23 years. He also served in several administrative positions, including Dean of Men, University of King's College; Dean of Residence, Dalhousie; Assistant Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies; Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies; Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Vice-President (Academic and Research). In 1980, he was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Allison University. From 1989 to 1995 he served as Ombudsman of Nova Scotia.
Dr. Robert Murray Mundle, MD, FRCS, Surgeon Lieutenant Commander, Royal Canadian Navy (retired). Peacefully at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on October 15,2021 with family by his side. Husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.
Murray was born in Sackville, New Brunswick and received his early education at Sackville High School, before attending Mount Allison University for B.A. in 1953. He was chosen as a Rhodes Scholar from New Brunswick and studied at Oxford University, England, where he received an M.A. Degree in 1956. Murray joined the Fleet Arm Royal Canadian Navy as a squadron pilot and served in various squadrons including 75 Squadron Royal Navy. In spite of a busy career as a pilot in the navy, he felt the need to continue his education and entered McGill Medical School where he received an M.D.C.M. Degree in 1959. This permitted a promotion in the navy from lieutenant to a Surgeon Lieutenant Commander. He served in this capacity as Medical Officer for H.M.C.S. Shearwater, H.M.C.S. Bonaventure 1960-63,and Principal Medical Officer H.M.C.S. Cornwallis 1963-65. He retired from the navy in 1965.
Murray decided to embark on a second medical career and trained for his F.R.C.S. in Urology which he obtained in 1968. He came to Prince Edward Island and was the only Urologist in the province until 1983, working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital until his retirement in 2001. He was active in the work of the Medical Society and served as President in 1973 following which he served on several committees. He was Chief of Staff of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and retired as head of that institution’s Department of Surgery. In spite of his many medical and military duties Murray had time for a full family and social life. He continued his love of the sea as a member of the Charlottetown yacht club where he sailed his sloop Thrumcap with his friends and family.
Dr. David McMullin Fowler, 70, of Pompano Beach, Florida passed away suddenly on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. David was born in Auburn, New York, on April 27, 1951, a son of the late Deforest and Gertrude McMullin Fowler. David grew up on a family-owned and operated apple farm outside Wolcott, New York. Growing up on the farm, he learned common sense and acquired a broad range of knowledge and a strong work ethic. He had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He was a humble man and kind to everyone.
David spent memorable summers at the family cottage while also working on the farm. His early interest in a career in medicine started when volunteering at the local community hospital, and later working in the summer as a nursing assistant in a hospital in Maine. He became a certified small airplane pilot.
He attended Colgate University for one semester, but left after his father’s death. He later went to Center College where he played varsity basketball for three years; David also worked some summers at Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina as a lifeguard and golf caddy. Center College nominated him for and he won a Rhodes Scholarship. He started medical school at Oxford University and was granted a third year of funding for these studies. He finished his final two years of medical school at Cambridge University, He completed his Internship at Tulane University and Residency at the University of Hawaii. He became board certified in internal medicine and emergency medicine. He later attended University of Florida Law School and was awarded a JD degree.
His phrase was “Years wrinkle the skin, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul”. Surviving David is his loving wife Roberta, his beloved daughters Madeleine age 21 and Hannah age 18 and his sister Margaret Veazey (Dr. James Veazey,).