(1935 – 2024)
Sadly, we announce the death of Dr. Colin Dawes, 88, on April 5, 2024 at Gimli Hospital.
He was the beloved husband of Margaret, and father of Roger (Sharon), Elizabeth, Martin (Jocelyn), Richard (Cindy), and Susan (Kevin), and grandfather of nine (Sydney, Mallory, Farley, Iris, Jim, Nicole, Gunther, Duncan and Angus). He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Norman Kehler, and his sister Gwyneth.
Colin studied dentistry at University of Manchester and took research training in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England. He became a Professor of Oral Biology and taught dental students at the University of Manitoba for over 40 years. His research focused on saliva and its importance for oral health.
We are grateful for the care he received over many years from Drs Johnston and Banerji at CancerCare, and Dr. Silha, Dr. Hurst, Dr. Beldavs, and Dr. Fulmore, and also for the kind and skilled health care workers at Gimli Hospital.
Cremation has taken place and in keeping with Colin’s wishes, there will be no service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
16 thoughts on “Dr. Colin Dawes”
Colin was a regular customer at Robins in gimli. Sorry for your loss. He will be sadly missed.
Please accept the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry’s student, staff and faculty’s most sincere condolences on Colin’s passing. He was my teacher and later on my colleague. I was always appreciative of his kindness, thoughtfulness and dry sense of humour! He was among the founding members of the Department of Oral Biology and left a lasting legacy through his teaching and research. May he rest in peace.
Kindest Regards,
Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis
Dean, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry
Dr Dawes was one of the sweetest men I have ever had the pleasure of working with at University. I was impressed he always remembered my name and was cheerful everyday we interacted. I still remember his lectures from when I was a first year Dental Hygiene student over 30 years ago and the University of Manitoba Dentistry program benefitted greatly from his research expertise. I am saddened by his passing and extend my deepest condolences to his family.
Dr. Dawes was one of my professors in Dental School. Years later, I would occasionally encounter him in the halls of the Dental College. Soft spoken and gentle-natured, he was always ready with a warm “hello” when I’d see him. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, Dr. Dawes.
A beautiful person–witty, an intelligentsia extraordinaire, caring and kind, an ultimate mentor. Rest in peace, dear Colin.
Colin was a great colleague. Always amusing with a ascerbic sense of humour particularly on the golf course. He will be missed.
Dr Dawes spent retirement in Gimli which was fortunate for me at Gimli Dental Clinic. It allowed regular visits which were always pleasant and engaging. Each appointment ending with a kind hug. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family. Corinne Chudd 🙏
Dr. Dawes was internationally recognized for his research in Oral Biology and we were blessed to benefit from his contributions to the Manitoba dental community throughout his career. Our Manitoba graduates will remember him fondly as well as his work on oral health. Our sincerest condolences to his family.
Daron Baxter
President, Manitoba Dental Association
My sincere condolences to all the family on Colin’s passing. I am very grateful to Colin for his kindness and research mentorship during the four years I spent in his lab at the Dental School in Winnipeg. He will always be recognised internationally for his research in Oral Biology and as a dedicated editor of the Journal of Dental Research.
I have fond memories of Colin from when he taught me physiology in 1st year dentistry. He was a very creative teacher and I will never forget some of his exam questions to this day. All those he worked with at the Journal of Dental Research remember his excellent stewardship of the journal. It was very impressive that in those days he did most of the reviews himself! Colin’s trailblazing research on saliva put U of M Dentistry and Winnipeg on the international map. I would love it if Colin’s children can get in touch with me since I am writing an In Memorian article about his immense contributions for the Journal of Dental Research. I am interested in personal recollections and photographs for the article. I look forward to hearing from you soon,
Joy
Dear Margaret and family – I would like to send you my deepest condolences. I met Dr. Dawes when I was in first year dental school and am very grateful to have worked with him in his research lab, to have had him as a colleague for many years, and then kept in touch through email. I learned a lot from Colin and really appreciate his kindness. He contributed so much to academia and has a wonderful family.
Hugs,
Cecilia
Colin Dawes (without the beard) was my advisor as a predoctoral dental student at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1962-64. We met occasionally at IADR meetings, and I will miss him and his mentorship early in my career. May his memory be a blessing to us all. Lawrence Gettleman, HSDM ’66.
Here is a nice picture of Colin in his lab at U of M provided by Walter Siqueria, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at U of Saskatchewan.
Colin was a loyal en appreciated visitor of the saliva symposium in Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands. I had the privilege to learn about his elegant and solid research, his encyclopedial knowledge of saliva and his dry sense of humour.
Margaret, please accept my very tardy condolences on the passing of Colin. I was only recently apprised of his passing by my dentist. I probably was out of town at the time. I was very fond of Colin and will always remember our singing together at St Luke’s and also in the Welsh Society St David Singers. I had a most hilarious time attempting to teach the Welsh words to the English speakers. Colin and others gave it their best effort though!
He will be missed by the Manitoba dental community, I’m sure, as well as others who knew him.
Once again, my deepest condolences to you and your family.
Tom Jones.
I was a Ph.D. Student as well as a faculty member in the Department of Oral Biology, University of Manitoba and had a chance to work with Dr. Dawes. He was a great scientist and a great person and I enjoyed his company for about 10 years. My heartfelt condolences to the family. We will miss him. My wife and I pray that everyone in his family gain strength to cope with his loss. Ramji and Vimla Khandelwal