Leon PHILLIPS Obituary

Dear Pamela - I have only just discovered that Leon passed away last September. Please accept my sincerest condolences. I first met Leon (and you) at Warwick House in 1966(?) and he was a very understanding warden, overseeing the well-being of about 50 young male students from all over the country. He was very patient with me and some of my colleagues who didn't always stick to the house rules. However we all got through one way or another and here I am at nearly 80. I still keep in contact with Grant Sinclair and John Isles - Ian Cull passed away last year. I was looking for your email address to see if you could contribute to a book I'm writing to acknowledge Myfanwy's 50th birthday which is on 27th February. Kind regards, Chris Moore. [email protected]

Dear Pam,

I have only just heard of Leon’s sad passing away in late September. Please accept my sincere condolences on this loss.

I have a lot to be thankful for in terms of Leon leading to an abrupt change in the course I undertook at Canterbury University beginning in 1965. I had planned to study Chemical Engineering but literally within an hour of arriving in Christchurch and meeting Leon as Warden of Warwick House, he encouraged me to instead consider a course in pure Chemistry. He then promptly arranged an interview with the Head of Chemistry at that time, Professor Taffy Vaughan, and the ‘rest is history’ with my graduating a PhD six years later before accepting a lectureship at Otago University.

Over the years since then, I have had almost no contact with Leon but I was still well aware of his prolific research activity for which he received a number international accolades. His contribution to many aspects of chemical research will be remembered for a long time by his many students and fellow staff.

Go well with these wonderful memories !

Barrie Peake

Very sad to read of Leon´s passing. I have many happy memories of him at school in knew he would well in his ultimate career as a physical chemist a knew of his success through my brother Alister. Please accept my heart felt condolences. He was such a colorful character. I am now 92.

Dearest Pam & family, we were so sad to hear of Leon's passing and want to send you our deepest sympathy. We have so many memories of wonderful times with Leon both in Bark Bay and Torrent Bay. Please know we are thinking of you all. Lots of love Tracey, Mark and George. Southern Belle