Dr. Earnest Colhoun

I was one of Dr. Colhoun's students at Western. He always had a great sense of humor and patience when dealing with students. His explanations of how he reasearched medications for the treatment of Parkinson's disease were always interesting. Now he will be driving his sports car in the sky.

I have such fond memories of "Doc" and his lovely wfe Jean from my days in the 70's as a grad student just down the hall from his lab. They were both so very interested in our academic and non-academic lives. I still have my green Biochem Pharm textbook we used in his course, and I think fondly of Doc whenever I glance over to it. In '94 I had the good fortune to bump into them at a graduation at York U and to catch up (briefly) on what had been happening in the intervening years. My condolences to Jean and Susan and the rest of the family.

Colleagues, staff and students who worked with Howard Colhoun in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (now the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology) wish to express their condolences to Jean and all of the Colhoun family on Howard’s passing. Howard (or “Doc” as he was known) was a much loved member of the faculty who contributed substantially to both research and teaching. He will be remembered by all who interacted with him. He made significant contributions to our understanding of cholinergic mechanisms in the brain and his work helped to define our present understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. He trained many post-doctoral and graduate students several of whom went on to distinguished careers themselves, including the present Chair of the Department, Dr. R.J. Rylett. Howard was a staunch defender of scientific and academic standards and he established leadership roles in both his own research and in the lectures he contributed to many courses, several of which he initiated. Always a larger-than-life presence in the Department he could be the bane of those with whom he differed but always with humour and in a self-effacing manner. The memories he leaves in the lives of all he touched include the wrenching stories from his wartime experiences, his love of fast cars, his elegant style of dress, and his extraordinary skill at poker. He always seemed to win the games against his faculty colleagues but rarely against his students. He will be missed.

I first met Howard about 14 years ago when I was a new faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at UWO. He would stop by my office from time to time and we would have long chats about academic life, and I found his advice and encouragement to be invaluable. As the years went by his visits to the department became less frequent, but I will always remember those times fondly, and I am saddened greatly by his passing.

I first met Howard about 14 years ago when I was a new faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at UWO. He would stop by my office from time to time and we would have long chats about academic life, and I found his advice and encouragement to be invaluable. As the years went by his visits to the department became less frequent, but I will always remember those times fondly, and I am saddened greatly by his passing.

I first met Howard about 14 years ago when I was a new faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at UWO. He would stop by my office from time to time and we would have long, friendly chats about academic life, and I found his advice and encouragement to be invaluable. As the years went by his visits to the department became less frequent, but I will always remember those times fondly, and I am saddened greatly by his passing.

I first met Howard about 14 years ago when I was a new faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at UWO. He would stop by my office from time to time and we would have long, friendly chats about academic life, and I found his advice and encouragement to be invaluable. As the years went by his visits to the department became less frequent, but I will always remember those times fondly, and I am saddened greatly by his passing.

My wife, Rhonda, and I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Jean and family, on Howard's passing. I first met Howard in 1972 when I arrived in London to begin my doctoral studies in the Department of Pharmacology. He was always a friendly and respected member of the faculty. He is fondly remembered.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Colhoun. He was an excellent teacher and scientist who taught that a scientist should always allow the facts to dictate the research direction rather than a favoured theory. He was also rather naive in his own charming way. I remember a time when he was pulled over on his way to Sarnia for speeding (yes in his "E" type). When the OPP officer told him that he would have to issue him a citation, Doc simply said "Well, thank you very much". My heartfelt sympathy to Jean and the rest of his family.

Jean, I was saddened to read of Howard's death last week. During the time I worked with you at Althouse College, I was always conscious of the close bond between you and Howard. Listening to you tell stories of your family life and activities, and your war-time memories, we knew that there was fun, friendship, and a deep love shared between you two, and you served as a role model which we younger women admired and looked up to. My deepest sympathy on the loss of your cherished life partner.