Dr. John Herbert Trueman

Leaving us on June 15th, 2013, John Herbert Trueman passed away at The Village of Wentworth Heights in Hamilton, Ontario, and is now safely home in the arms of Jesus. John was the cherished husband of Dawn Cline Trueman for 62 years. Dearly loved Dad of Scott Trueman(Tracey), Janet Siverns (Steve), Dawn Martens (John), David Trueman (Paula), Andrea Trueman (Art) and Paul Trueman. Loved by his eight grandchildren: Laura, David, Trevor, Tayler, Amber, Miriam, Daniel, and Charlotte, and two great-grandchildren: Clara and Asher. Fondly remembered by his sister-in-law Trudie Clarke and by many nieces, nephews, and treasured friends.

Born in 1925 at Oxford-on-Rideau, Ontario, the only child of two transplanted Maritimers, Howard Lewis Trueman and Winnifred Lewis Trueman. He was brought up in Ottawa and was educated at the University of Toronto, where he graduated from Victoria College with the gold medal in history and met the love of his life, Dawn Cline. After obtaining an MA in history at Toronto, he was awarded a fellowship at Cornell University and subsequently earned a PhD there. In 1952, he and Dawn were married and moved to Palo Alto California, where he taught at Stanford University for three years before they returned to Canada. Both of them taught at Tillsonburg District High School for a year, then in London for a year.

In 1957, John began teaching at McMaster University. During his thirty-three years there, he spent ten years in administration as a Dean. In their spare time, Dawn and John produced fourteen textbooks in ancient and medieval history which were widely used in both official languages in high schools across Canada. John served on many church and university boards and committees; he was the President of Alcohol and Drug Concerns of Canada as well as the President of the Community of Concern within the United Church of Canada. When not lay preaching or collecting books and reading history, John could be found remodelling the family cottage in Minden, Ontario and surveying that property he so loved. John will be remembered for his love of nature and all God’s creatures, his keen wit, his oratorical skills, and his courage and strength of conviction. The family wishes to thank the Rymal staff at Wentworth Heights for their wonderful care and concern for Dad in his final days.

Teaching was always John’s first love – from when he taught his first class at seventeen until his retirement at McMaster where he was voted best teacher in the University by the McMaster Students’ Union. It could be truly said of him as it was of Chaucer’s clerk of Oxenford: “And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.”

Friends may call at the MARLATT FUNERAL HOME, 615 Main Street East, Hamilton, on Wednesday, June 19th from 2-4 & 7-9pm. A Funeral Service will be held at ERSKINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 19 Pearl Street North, Hamilton on Thursday, June 20th at 11am. Cremation to follow.

Donations to the Department of History at McMaster University for a Graduate Student Scholarship in Dr. Trueman’s name would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.marlattfhhamilton.com

1 Cor. 13: “Faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love”.