Reginald Harry Mitchell

Predeceased by parents Elsie and Harry, and wife Wendy, Reg is survived and lovingly remembered by: his son, Steve (Jodi), daughters, Helen (Eric), Kim (David), brother Rob (Dot) grandchildren: Joey, Taryn, Alex, and Andrew, niece Kate, nephew Tim (Shelly), first wife Mary, and relatives both here and abroad.

Reg was born in London, England, in 1943 and educated at Battersea Grammar School before going to Cambridge where he obtained his BSc (1964) and PhD (1968) in Chemistry. In the summer of 1964, he married his high school sweetheart Mary. After a post-doctoral position at the University of Oregon (1968-1970), they briefly went back to England where Reg worked at Formica before they returned to the west coast and Reg began as an assistant professor at UVic in 1972. Once settled in Victoria, Reg and Mary raised their children, Helen and Steve, while camping throughout the west coast, developing their gardens, playing with cement and construction projects while building their home, and all the while establishing himself as a world renowned scientist.

During Reg’s 36 year career at UVic, he progressed through the ranks to full tenured professor and became a force in the field of aromaticity. His top notch research in the aromaticity of large ring systems was funded yearly by NSERC and other grants and resulted in 163 Publications, 3 books, and many invited and plenary lectures.

He was also an award-winning teacher, and was also well known for his many public lectures and radio appearances. He was perhaps best known in the community as his alter ego Dr Zonk, that zany and charismatic character who enthralled thousands with his array of bangs, flashes and smells, all the while endeavoring to relate this back to chemistry and its place in the real world. For his outstanding ability to promote and communicate science to students and to the public within Canada, he was recognized by the Royal Society of Canada with the award of the McNeill Medal in 2006. His many successful students would attest to his love of research and the attention he paid to it and to their education and advancement in their chosen field, right up to his retirement from UVic in 2008.

Whether it was the Faculty Association, the Chemical Institute of Canada (where he served on the local executive and the Board), the University Club (Chair of the Board and a major force behind the construction of its new facilities), Ceremonies & Special Events Committee at UVic or any other body or organization in which he was interested, Reg’s contributions were impactful; he would always be at the forefront giving his utmost to ensure that things were done properly and well.

Reg met his 2nd wife, Wendy and daughter Kim, in 1984 where science and art collided dramatically. Reg introduced Wendy to his world of science at UVic, and Wendy introduced Reg to her world of theatre, dance and music. This now included helping organize the annual dance recital for Wendy’s Ballet school, hosting countless pool parties and BBQs for his colleagues, their VOS Theatre friends, dance students and families, Cambridge alumni parties, and their dog park friends, (both human and canine), and of course they were always surrounded by family. He was very proud of all his children and loved being a Grandpa. From family vacations in Hawaii and Mexico, to crossing continents by plane, train, automobile and the occasional donkey, Mexican silliness with Peg and Larry, cruising oceans with brother Rob and his wife Dot, visiting relatives over the UK, and beyond, and spending time with Reg’s students in their hometowns in India, Japan, The US, The UK, Europe and more, they landed where ever their curiosity led them.

If you met Reg, you were forever after considered friend. He was that kind of man. Larger than life and the ultimate host. He loved the spotlight, be it setting off bangs as Dr Zonk, teaching a class on spectroscopy wearing his bright velvet bowties, being declared Mayor of the dog park with his princess, Maggie and the many friends they saw daily, attending the theatre, or on the dance floor at the faculty club where you might see his lips move as he counted the beats while twirling Wendy. Reg and Wendy are sure to be dancing together once more. Reg will be missed by all who have loved him. He was an avid Science Fair supporter, fisherman and party organiser par excellence.

We will be hosting a celebration of life for Reg, Saturday June 5th, 2021 with a few close friends and family in attendance; due to COVID restrictions. We are pleased to also be able to share the celebration virtually via a live meeting. If you are interested in the link for this please email: [email protected]

The family would like to thank the many wonderful people at Berwick Royal Oak, and the team at VGH- 4B for the loving care Reg received. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Reg Mitchell Memorial Scholarship at UVIC.

https://extrweb.uvic.ca/donate-online/reg-mitchell