Marcus Lawrence (1956 – 2015): ‘dynamic, charismatic and full of life’
“His enthusiasm for education was obvious and his teaching through real-life examples made even difficult subjects accessible,” says Christine DeWolf, a colleague of Marcus Lawrence of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. | Concordia University archives
Members of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry were saddened to learn of the sudden death of their colleague, Marcus Lawrence, last week.
“Dynamic, charismatic and full of life, professor Lawrence will be missed by all,” says interim department chair Christine DeWolf. “He will be remembered as a professor always popular with his students and as a valued colleague.”
Lawrence joined the department in 1986 and went on to become a full professor. Among his numerous contributions to Concordia during his career, Lawrence served twice as academic director of Chemistry and Biochemistry for the Institute for Co-operative Education and two terms as department chair, from 2000 to 2006.
As chair, he helped oversee the creation of the department’s space in the Richard J. Renaud Science Complex, and the subsequent move from the Sir George Williams Campus to Loyola.
“A physical and analytical chemist, Professor Lawrence was a dedicated teacher who will be fondly remembered by his students for his engaging style, personal connection with his students and good sense of humour,” says DeWolf. “His enthusiasm for education was obvious and his teaching through real-life examples made even difficult subjects accessible.”
Lawrence’s specialty in teaching and research was electrochemistry and electronic materials. His research was highly applied, attracting funding from non-traditional sources including NanoQuébec.
Over his career, Lawrence authored more than 50 publications in his field and directed 16 MSc and PhD students. In the latter years, he focused on the development of flexible, low-cost, impedance-based biosensors.
A funeral will be held on Friday, October 23, 2015 at the La Maison Funéraire Desnoyers (1981 Boulevard de Périgny, Chambly). The family will greet people from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eulogies will be delivered at 1 p.m., followed by a light lunch.