Obituary of Dr. Julian M. Dust

A grave side service will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Mount Patricia Cemetery, Corner Brook.

Dr. Julian M. Dust

Passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2023 at his residence in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Left to mourn his loss are his sister, Dr. Andrea Dust D.V.M of Ayr, Ontario, his brother, Evan Dust of Wailuku, Hawaii and nephews Michael Zavitsky, Nicholas and Andrew Dust, and innumerable friends in Ontario, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and elsewhere. He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Alvin and Mrs. Verne Dust.

Julian was born in Urbana, Illinois on October 3, 1955. He came to Waterloo, Ontario with his family in 1960, and was very proud to become a Canadian citizen in February, 1973. He attended St. Jerome’s High School in Kitchener, Ontario and went on to graduate from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. He furthered his education with a Master of Science in chemistry from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, and completed his academic studies with a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Queens’s University at Kingston in 1987. A two year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Alabama in Huntsville followed, after which, in 1989, Julian accepted a position as Assistant Professor of chemistry at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, now Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, where he taught for 31 years, retiring with the rank of Associate Professor on January 1, 2021.

Julian’s career flourished at Grenfell Campus where he taught a wide variety of courses, served with distinction on committees, and conducted his research with collaborators both domestic and international. He was a founding contributor to the Environmental Science degree program which is offered to this day. During his tenure he published over 70 papers in physical organic chemistry and related fields, and co-wrote a book on Carbanion Chemistry with his late mentor and PhD supervisor, Professor Erwin Buncel.

Julian loved nothing more than a good book to read, especially science fiction, a classical or operatic album to listen to and a lively debate on almost any subject, especially if shared with someone over a pint or two. He was generous and kind to all who crossed his path and truly will be missed.

Dr. Dust, our Julian, you have earned the deep respect of your colleagues, the staunch loyalty of your friends, both inside and outside the Grenfell Campus community, the firm dedication of your students and the lasting love of your family. All that remains to be said, to you who were, among your many achievements, also an aficionado of Latin, is requiescat in pace. Rest in peace.

In respect of Julian's wishes, cremation has occurred, and there will be no funeral or visitation. In his honour, a memorial tribute will be held at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University in Corner Brook on March 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm in the Arts and Science Atrium. A private graveside ceremony at Mount Patricia Cemetery in Corner Brook will take place at a later date.

As expressions of sympathy and in keeping with his profound devotion to his feline companions Heisenberg, Pavlov, and Schrodinger who graced his life with their presence, donations to the NL West SPCA https://nlwestspca.com/donate located in Corner Brook, Newfoundland would be gratefully accepted.