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Dr. Shemilt Celebrates 90 Years
December 3, 2009
Family, friends, faculty and staff, past and present, gathered at the University Club yesterday afternoon to celebrate the 90th birthday of Dr. Les Shemilt, the second Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and long-time faculty member at McMaster.
“Dr. Shemilt has had a very active and illustrious career, contributing greatly to the growth of the Faculty,” said David Wilkinson, Dean, Faculty of Engineering. “He continues to contribute to the Faculty even after 25 years of retirement.”
Celebrations were themed to one of Dr. Shemilt’s favourite past times, the study of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle.
“His leadership style is similar to that of Sherlock Holmes,” noted Art Heidebrecht, professor emeritus of civil engineering and past Engineering dean. “It is one that combines intuition with logical reasoning and quiet dignity. We thank him for all he’s done and wish him many more years.”
Proceedings were far from elementary. The President of the Bootmakers of Toronto/Sherlock Holmes Society of Canada announced the elevation of Dr. Shemilt to the rank of Master Bootmaker. The honour includes the presentation of the Bootmaker shoehorn and bootlace insignia worn by Master Bootmakers.
Cameron Crowe, professor emeritus of chemical engineering, brought greetings and regrets from many acquaintances, including the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, which sent their congratulations and best wishes.
Doug Wrigglesworth, chair emeritus, Friends of the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, at the Public Library of Toronto, noted Dr. Shemilt’s support of the collection since its establishment in 1998. He also noted that December 25 is not only Dr. Shemilt’s birthday but coincides with opening day of a new Hollywood movie about Sherlock Holmes.
Dr. Shemilt’s remarks followed the Bootmakers’ axiom: 'Mixture of scholarship and whimsy is what is needed at meetings'. He noted significant birthdays both personal and academic. He then invited everyone to make sure they got their share of a very unique birthday cake.
As part of arrangements for the celebration, the team in the Engineering Alumni Office arranged for the design of a special three-tiered Sherlock Holmes cake, capped with a replica of the fictional character’s famous flapped deerstalker detective hat.
“I love birthdays. I love universities. I love you all.” wrapped up Dr. Shemilt.
