Gordon Henry Dixon

March 25, 1930 – July 24, 2016

Died peacefully in his 87th year after a brief illness, in Victoria, B.C. Beloved husband for 62 years of Sylvia (nee Gillen). Dear father of Frances, Walter, Christopher and Robin. Father-in-law of Richard Boudreau, Mary Ann Dixon, Cindy Dixon and Karen Dixon. Loving Grandfather of Paul and Michael Boudreau; Jonathan and Alexandra Dixon; Andrew, Lindsey, Heather, Victoria, Matthew and Julia Dixon; and Claire and Yvonne Dixon. Great Grandfather of Adelaide (Rachel Fletcher-Marsh and Andrew Dixon) and Olivia (Heather and Josh Wanek).

Survived by his sister, Shirley Anderson. Predeceased by his siblings Walter, Vera, and Stanley. Brother-in-law to Derek Anderson, Edith and Michael Fenner, and Edward and Rita Gillen.

Son of the late Walter and Ruth Dixon (nee Nightingale), Gordon was born in Durban, South Africa. The family moved to Girton, Cambs, U.K. where Gordon spent his childhood and early adult years. He attended Cambridgeshire High School for Boys and received an Open Scholarship to Trinity College, University of Cambridge where he completed a BA Hons (MA) in 1948. He began his graduate studies at the University of Cambridge but followed his supervisor to the University of Toronto where he completed his PhD. He undertook postdoctoral studies at the University of Washington (1954-58) and later became a member of staff at the MRC Unit for Research in Cell Metabolism at the University of Oxford (1958-59). Returning to Canada in 1959, Gordon became a Research Associate of the Connaught Medical Research Laboratories (1959-1960) and Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto (1960-63) during which time he made seminal discoveries related to understanding the structure of the protein hormone insulin that subsequently led to its complete chemical synthesis. He moved to Vancouver to become Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia (1963-72) and then to the University of Sussex (U.K.) to become the Head of Department in the Biochemistry Group (1972-74). He was recruited back to Canada in 1974 as Professor of Medical Biochemistry at the University of Calgary under the auspices of the Alberta Heritage Fund for Medical Research where he remained for the duration of his career (1974-94) and served as Head of the Department (1983-88).

As an active and prolific researcher, Gordon led the Growth and Development Group and made many important contributions to understanding the way in which DNA is packaged within the nucleus of cells and the exquisite control of its expression during growth, development, and reproductive processes. During his illustrious academic career, he was the recipient of numerous accolades and international recognition. He served as President of the Canadian Biochemical Society (1982-83); Pan-American Biochemical Society (1987-90); and was a member of the Executive of the International Union of Biochemistry (1988-94). He received the Ayerst Award (1966), the Steacie Prize (1966), the Flavelle Medal of the RSC (1980), and the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Prize (1991). He was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society (London) in 1978. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 in recognition of his long and distinguished research career.

Gordon was a family man whose children and grandchildren were a source of great joy to both he and Sylvia. During their twenty plus years of retirement, Gordon and Sylvia travelled extensively and held many gatherings of family and friends at their home in Victoria. Gordon’s many passions included reading, gardening, classical music, history and walking. He loved to follow cricket, Formula one car racing and current affairs.

The family would like to thank Dr. Geoffrey Luckhurst for many years of medical support to Gordon and to all the VIHA doctors and staff, both in the community (especially Andrea Hofmeyr) and at the Victoria Hospice for their many kindnesses and excellent care over recent months. The family is left to grieve Gordon’s passing but also to celebrate, with love, his remarkable life – truly well lived!

"A celebration of Gordon's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on August 11, 2016 at the University Club of the University of Victoria. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Victoria Hospice (www.victoriahospice.org). Online condolences may be made on the website of First Memorial Funeral Services, Victoria, B.C. (www.dignitymemorial.ca)."

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Services, Victoria, BC.