W. Trevor Dickinson B.Sc.(Agr), B.A.Sc., M.Sc(Agr)., Ph.D.
August 30, 1939-July 9, 2022
Husband, father, grandfather, friend, teacher, ballroom dancer, barbershop singer, runner, and guardian of gnomes. Trev passed away peacefully at Hospice Wellington at age 82, surrounded by his loving family after yet another cancer diagnosis.
Beloved husband of Lucille (Tutt) for 58 years and cherished father of son Mike and wife Roxanne MacKnight (Miramichi, NB) and daughter Cathy Dykstra (Guelph) and partner Paul Minette. Trev adored his granddaughters Alyssa and Laura Dickinson, Sarah and Tasha Dykstra. We mourn the loss of a loving, wise, and gentle man and celebrate a life well-lived, blessed with a caring and supportive family, many loyal friends, and wonderful neighbours.
Trev entered the world in Toronto in 1939, the youngest of three boys born to C. Heber and Isobel Dickinson. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Ronald and is survived by his brother Mervyn (Christchurch, NZ). Trev attended UTS high school and spent summers at the family cottage at Cawaja Beach on Georgian Bay.
Trev graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC 61) and formed a bond of friendship with his OAC classmates that would last a lifetime. He obtained a Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. from Colorado State University. Trev was a passionate teacher and researcher as a professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph for 27 years. He continued to mentor students and faculty as professor emeritus well into his retirement and in 1990 received the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, Canada’s most prestigious recognition of excellence in educational leadership at the postsecondary level.
In memory of Trev, please plant a tree, listen to the birds, line dance, read a book, learn origami, write a love letter, wiggle your ears, play the ukulele, hike the Bruce Trail, sing and dance along to your favourite tunes, take a walk holding hands with your true love, paddle a canoe, play card games and ping pong with your grandchildren, say “hi” when you pass people in your travels, be in constant awe of nature, provide shelter for a gnome, learn something new, and be thankful for all the little things.
The family is grateful for the love and support received from countless family and friends and the compassionate care provided by Hospice Wellington.
A celebration of life will take place at the University of Guelph Arboretum Centre, a place Trev loved. Everyone is welcome to attend the informal celebration service which will occur on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 1pm followed by a reception from 2-4pm. Guests are encouraged to bring and share stories of Trev at the celebration.
Donations in his honour can be made to Hospice Wellington, the Guelph General Hospital, or the Bruce Trail Conservancy.
A tree will be planted in memory of W. Trevor Dickinson in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.