It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Geoffrey Hendy, Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University and a senior scientist in the Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC).
A native of the United Kingdom, Dr. Hendy obtained his PhD in England in the laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey L.H. O’Riordan at the Middlesex Hospital in London. He would go on to complete his postdoctoral training at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before being recruited to the Calcium Laboratory of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism in the Department of Medicine at McGill in 1985.
At McGill, Dr. Hendy’s laboratory studied the molecular genetics of mineral metabolism disorders with a focus on functional analysis of inherited mutations in genes controlling calcium and skeletal homeostasis, and particularly genes encoding the calcium sensing receptor and menin (the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 gene product).
Dr. Hendy was a passionate researcher driven by science and discovery. He remained engaged in these pursuits until his final week. Described as possessing a sense of humour typical of 1960s British school boys as well as a keen interest in British Blues music, when it came to his work Dr. Hendy was known for his creativity and compulsive attention to detail. Combined with great perseverance, he harnessed these traits into a remarkable ability to take even a sloppily-written manuscript and transform it into something professional and publishable. He made many outstanding contributions to science over the course of his career while enjoying an exemplary international reputation in his field.
Dr. Hendy was also very active as an educator at McGill, teaching and mentoring students in the Departments of Human Genetics and Medicine and was a popular choice for undergraduate students when first choosing a laboratory for their practicum. Dr. Hendy also served as a mentor to numerous graduate students and started them on successful research careers, as well as serving as an Academic Advisor for many others.
Dr. Hendy devoted his life to science and teaching. While he was a private person, he was generous with his time and his knowledge and made an impact on his colleagues and numerous trainees at all levels, helping to shape the careers of many. A celebration of his life was held at the RI-MUHC on September 29.
Our condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. He will be missed by all.
October 5, 2018