Ph.D., FRSC
July 5, 1928 – January 13, 2016
Larry was born and raised in Galt, Ontario, and earned his Bachelor’s degree at McMaster University in Hamilton and his Master’s and PhD at the University of Toronto. In 1955 he joined the faculty of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta and served as Professor and Professor Emeritus until the time of his death.
He was a co-founding director of the world renowned Medical Research Council Research Group in Protein Structure and Function. His contributions to our understanding of these basic building blocks of life have been ground-breaking, and are summarized in the tributes by his colleagues at the end of this obituary. His work has been recognized with many awards, notably membership in the Royal Society of Canada in 1979. He was also co-recipient of the Faculty of Medicine’s 75th Anniversary Research Prize for the greatest research contribution by faculty or alumni, past or present. He was a conscientious teacher and dedicated mentor to generations of graduate and post-doctoral students who worked in his laboratory. Details about Larry’s scientific work and tributes from his colleagues can be found at the link at the end of this obituary.
Larry was also an active community member and served at various times on the Scouting Group Committee, the Strathcona Housing Society, the board of the Sustainable East Africa Education and Development Society (SEEDS) of Alberta and the Stewardship & Finance Committee of Knox-Metropolitan United Church.
He is remembered as thoughtful, friendly, curious and strong-willed. While he was accomplished he remained unpretentious. He was an independent spirit with a warm smile and a hearty laugh.
He was also a dedicated family man. Early family holidays included exploring Alberta and British Columbia in a crowded station wagon and a tent trailer. Later, family leisure time revolved around the family cabin at Lake Wabamun, the building of which was a multi-decade project for Larry. His sons and a few generous graduate students were also pressed into service on the building of that cabin, which became one of his favorite places and the home of countless family memories.
He was married to his devoted wife Doreen for 57 years, and was the proud father of Tom (Donna), Ross (Therese Thompson), Scott (Meheret Worku), and Mark (Julie Peterson). He was a devoted grandfather to Sara, Andrea, Michael, Sean, Rebecca, Rachael and Ashley. Recently, Julie’s son James received a warm welcome to the family. He is also affectionately remembered by several treasured nieces and nephews, and by Ashley’s mother Deborah Smillie. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his sisters Margaret Chapman and Agnes Quigley.
The family would like to extend its warm gratitude to the staff and physicians on units 52 and 43 of the Grey Nuns Hospital for their compassion, competence and excellent communication.
Funeral services will be held at Knox-Metropolitan United Church on Saturday, January 23 at 2pm.
Donations to either Knox-Metropolitan United Church or Sustainable East African Education & Development Society (S.E.E.D.S). (both at 8307 109 Street, Edmonton, AB ) would be welcome.
Announcement on the Department of Biochemistry website:
A true legend in the history of the Department of Biochemistry passed away on January 13th. Larry was a great (in the true sense of this word) protein biochemist, who joined the Department in 1955 and with Cyril Kay co founded the highly renowned MRC Group in Protein Structure and Function in 1974. Larry served as co director of this pioneering group that led the world in studies of protein structure and function, until his “retirement” in 1995.
Tribute by colleague Dr. Cyril Kay (see the full tribute in the link below):
I will always recall Larry with great affection both as a friend and as a scientist. In presenting his views he was thoughtful and critical, soft-spoken and forthright, tolerant and incisive. While vigorously offering his own position he was always willing to listen to other points of view. He was one of the great protein chemists when protein chemistry was center stage.
Tribute from colleague Dr. Michael James: (see the full tribute in the link below):
I have great respect for Larry, his science and his humanity. He was a terrific mentor for me and I will always remember him with the greatest respect. If we have been able to see far, then it was because we stood on the shoulders of giants like Larry Smillie.
For the full text of these tributes please click on this link (or paste it in your browser): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ljqomm7ph35c2bh/AADdbxMydSsr-U0iE5bAdgCKa?dl=0
Arrangements under the direction of Hainstock's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Edmonton, AB.
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