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I am sad to tell you that we’ve heard from his family that Prof. Russell Bell has passed away.

As you probably know, Prof. Bell was a well-loved professor of organic chemistry. A native of New Zealand, he completed his undergraduate there, and his PhD at Stanford, before joining the Department of Chemistry at McMaster in 1964. He was also a joint member of the Department of Biochemistry. He was an excellent researcher, who made pioneering discoveries in the area of nucleic acids and natural materials, utilising state-of-the-art NMR methods. He collaborated with many colleagues within the Department, and ran an active research group for more than 30 years. He was also an outstanding instructor, as recognised in his life-time achievement award, presented to him by the MSU in 1996.

Following his retirement in the same year, Russell remained an active scientist, regularly attending departmental seminars in his areas of interest, as well as Willie’s annual Holiday festivities. He was always warm and encouraging to students, staff and colleagues alike. He will be missed. The obituary for Prof. Bell can be found here. Friends will be received by the family on Saturday afternoon from 2 to 6 at the Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas. A Celebration of Russell’s life will follow at 88 Hopkins Court, Dundas at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Salvation Army, Russell’s favourite charity, would be appreciated by the family.

Gillian Goward