Charles Dunham
Died: March 18, 2024 | Place: London, Ontario
Obituary
DUNHAM, Charles Burton…
Jan 25, 1938 – Mar 18, 2024
Charles Burton Dunham passed away March 18, 2024, in palliative care at Victoria Hospital, London, in his 87th year. The eldest child of Charles & Georgina Dunham, he was born January 25, 1938 (a birthday shared with Robbie Burns) in Port Alberni, BC. Charles is survived by a brother Gordon Dunham (Bonnie) of BC and sister Alison Hobson (Larry, deceased) of Florida.
Charles studied at UBC (BA 1959, MA 1963) and received his PhD (Mathematics) from Western in 1968. He was hired by Dr. John Hart as one of the original members of the mathematical and engineering group that became the Department of Computer Science. At that time there were no textbooks for Computer Science, and many people even doubted that the discipline should belong to science. Charles was supported by John Hart and early on inspired by a course on the “Theory of Computing” from Neil Jones. He taught courses on Numerical Analysis and was interested in and made contributions to the theory of incomputable functions. He published a substantial number of papers on Best Approximations during 1975-1995. Charles died as an Emeritus Professor in the same department where he continued to contribute well after retirement.
Beyond academia Charles was always interested in politics and current events. But he was especially interested in photography and explorations of the paths and forests of both BC and this, his adopted region. He was active in local hiking and canoe clubs and would often be found exploring the trails with camera at hand. He is fondly remembered by friends for his slide shows where he shared this artistic side. People who knew him well could see beyond his faults. He was a brilliant mind, a gentle but troubled soul, with a unique wit and an artist’s eye.
He will be missed. His life and his passing were not easy but he died with friends at hand who cared. No memorial or visitation service is planned. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be scattered in the woods he loved so much in a private moment with those same friends.
Many thanks to the staff of Maple View Terrace, London, for the care and support provided in his final years. And many thanks to the staff at Victoria Hospital for their care during his final difficult days. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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We would have Charles out for a visit or a walk in some woods when he was younger and able. We miss him and his odd ways.
So many memories, going back over 40 years. The lunch hour hike across the UWO campus, my nagging him to clean up his mailbox, and the rained out hike with some other colleagues, where we ended up having our “picnic” at my place. Charles taught me how to make mulled wine. He was almost never without his camera. He loved the great outdoors and nature, and get togethers with his friends. His eyes would light up when you hit on a topic that he found interesting. He shall be missed.
Sixty years ago, Charles and I were classmates in a course on The Theory of Computing; he was a brilliant student. He was a unique character of simplicity. Always a very kind friendly person who never demanded anything from his friends whom he never criticized.
He will be remembered and missed.
I attended one of his slide shows. It was very good and unique. Everyone once in a while, he would come by my office and would ask for my help with something. He was a person you couldn’t refuse. He will be missed.