Dr. Allan Rudolph Stein
November 14, 1938 to May 28, 2022
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Allan Rudolph Stein in his 83rd year on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at his home at Tiffany Village in St. John’s, NL. Allan was predeceased by his loving wife Felicity O’Brien and his parents Rudolph and Margaret Stein. Left with fond and loving memories are his step children, Juliet (Terry) Anderson, Simon (Pam) O’Brien and Crispin (Tracy) O’Brien; his step grandchildren Laura, Alyssa, Alex, Katie, Mark, Clare, Sarah, Douglas, and Anna; and his step great grandchildren Benjamin and Hannah. He is also leaving his brother Dick (Marie) Stein and his sister MaryAnn (Dennis) Muth; nephews Jim (Susan) Stein, Greg (Laurie) Stein, and Brian Muth; nieces Donna Dove and Mary Stein; grandnephews Bennett, Andrew, Loren, Kole, and Tyler; grandnieces Sarah, Emily, Robyn, and Kyla; and great grandnieces Aleena and Shaylee. He also leaves many other loving relatives and friends.
Allan was born in Edmonton, AB on November 14, 1938. He attended high school in Leduc, AB, followed by studies in chemistry leading to a B. Sc. degree at the University of Alberta and a Ph. D. degree at the University of Illinois. After two years of working in industry in Montreal, in 1965, Allan accepted a faculty position as a professor of Organic Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland and served as head and acting head of the department at various times. After a distinguished career in teaching and research, he retired in 2003 after 38 years of service. He was a proud “Come from Away Newfoundlander” and loved to show visitors the sites of Newfoundland.
He was an environmentalist, serving on boards and committees relating to environmental protection, and volunteering countless hours to nature organizations, notably as a founding member of the East Coast Trail Association, and with Nature NL and the Geo Centre. He was involved in a variety of offshore oil consultations, developed submissions for oil-related development proposals and sat on several Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB) Committees for Nature NL. He also organized many nature-related field trips and maintained the Nature Nook at The Rooms supplying items for the display.
He was very proud to receive the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General of Canada for his work with the East Coast Trail Association, the Nature NL Tuck-Walters Award recognizing his contributions to the advancement of nature appreciation and protection in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Flamber Head Award for exceptional commitment to the East Coast Trail Association, and the MUNPA Tribute Award recognizing his contribution to the community. Allan also provided a generous donation to Memorial University of Newfoundland resulting in the establishment of the Dr. Allan R. Stein Scholarship in Science to recognize undergraduate students with his same passion for organic chemistry and science.
He particularly enjoyed participating in and leading hikes with the East Coast Trail and the Portugal Cove – St. Phillips Community hiking groups. It was Allan’s misfortune to have a series of health issues throughout his life, but he met them all with a quiet resolve and good cheer. At Allan’s request, his family will celebrate his life privately and his cremated remains will be interred beside those of his beloved Felicity. In lieu of flowers, donations in Allan’s memory may be made to the East Coast Trail Association www.eastcoasttrail.com or a charity of your choice. A special thanks to the amazing staff of the Tiffany Village Retirement Residence, with special thanks to Jacob, Nikita, Heather, Rebecca, Lauren, Ashley, Mary and Doreen, for providing Allan with exceptional care and comfort.
I had the pleasure of welcoming both Allan and Felicity to the Johnson GEO CENTRE as volunteers many years ago. I truly enjoyed my time with them both, they were such beautiful people and brought so much knowledge and enthusiasm to our group. I am thankful for the time I got to spend with them both. I’ll never forgot one time when I was leading our group of volunteers through a training session for a grade 6 class on space, and I was stumbling along a little. Allan raised his hand and said, “You don’t really understand how gravity works, do you?” Oh my, didn’t I laugh. “No, I don’t.” I replied. “Can you teach us all please?!” LOLOL. We were ever so lucky to attract such a fine group of knowledgeable scientists to our volunteer program. I loved Allan for that. And for everything he brought to our program. And Felicity too. I will always think of them so fondly. My sincerest condolences to Allan’s family and friends.
My condolences to Allen’s family. We had a great many chats during his time with Nature Nook at The Rooms. He inspired many visitors to ask about the specimens, and they all went away having learned something! Allen will truly be missed.
I have fond memories of my Organic Chemistry class with Dr. Stein at MUN. He seemed like a lovely person, was always pleasant to deal with and was an excellent prof. He clearly also cared about and dedicated his time to many valuable pursuits and causes. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
We too knew Allan when he was active in the Wildflower Society. We also knew Felicity and, more recently, met him in Tiffany Village when we visited other friends in the same care unit (sadly now also dead.) During our initial visits we were grateful to be recognized – at times – and to be able to exchange a few words with him. We extend our sympathy to all his family and many friends.
Dr. Stein was an amazing teacher who mentored many students like me. I will always appreciate his kindness and sound advice which helped guide my career path in a very positive way.
Allan retired just as I was starting at the Chemistry department, but his welcoming approach meant that we came to know each other nonetheless. I have many fond memories of him, from his caribou stew to a new kind of tomato he was growing, to East Coast Trail matters. Condolences to his family.
My late husband and I were students of Allan’s not long after his move to Newfoundland. We later became friends and we would always get together whenever we came to St. John’s. I shall miss him.
So sorry to hear the news of Allan’s passing.. He was a active member of the Newfoundland Wildflower Society and it was always a delight to be in his company on many of our walks. A lovely man with a gentle smile.. He will truly be missed.
Allan was a lovely generous colleague. When I joined the Department of Chemistry in 1975 Allan took me under his wing to mentor me and to guide me both onto and through the wilds of Newfoundland and Academia. I am comforted in knowing that recently I did pass on my appreciation to him in person of how important a role he personally played for me. I will also remember and cherish a short chance encounter with him in Athens years ago before illness sadly struck him. Fondly remembered and grateful to have known him. Sad that he is no longer “here”…
My heartfelt condolences go out to Allan’s family and friends and I extend huge gratitude for the incredible contributions he made to the environment and the East Coast Trails Association, in particular. I had the great pleasure of working with Allan a little on some projects in later years and his memory will certainly live on.
In peace
Sheilagh
Sorry to hear of Allan’s passing.. He seemed to be a very quiet, gentle, and appreciative person. I met him through his wife, Felicity. My condolence to all his family.
Allan certainly left his mark within Memorial and as well in the larger Newfoundland community. His interest in both gardening and the outdoor environment have been noted by others. Allan and I enjoyed a number of hunting trips together even after his recovery from cancer. On these trips we would always find a beaver lodge or some other suitable spot to sit and have lunch and a good chat. Our caribou hunting trips took us deep into the woods and bogs. Allan was always distressed when we crossed a marsh that had been turned into a mucky sea by ATVs. He really did want to see every marsh and trail preserved for the coming generations.
On most of our hunting trips the only thing we brought home were beer cans discarded by other hunters and berry pickers. We only got lost once and that occurred when an impenetrable fog rolled in from Placentia Bay!
Condolences to all of Allan’s evidently extended family. Dianne and I did visit Allan at Tiffany albeit not so much after Covid arrived. We still encountered him strolling around Kenny’s Pond and Kent’s Pond and keeping an eye on the terns, ospreys and other birds.
So sad to hear of Allan Stein’s passing. I knew him for a short time has a member of the Portugal Cove/St Philips hiking group. He often led us on very interesting and informative hikes and then back to his house for refreshments. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
Thank you Allan for giving us the ECT. I will raise my eyes to the sun in your honour on my next hike.
So sad to hear about Allan’s passing. He was a wonderful man and I have many fond memories of him. Long walks through the woods in our neighborhood. He knew every bird every sound and smell and every tree. He was the smartest person I knew. Many Christmas brunches at our home and countless dinners. He was indeed special and witty.
Our street lost something when he moved to Tiffany.
Sending sincere thoughts to you all
Connie & Harold Hayward
So many memories of Allan from Nature NL campaigns….. We will always think of him when we see the Pink Lady Slippers in Pippy Park., as when Allan led the annual walk to see them bloom..
Allan has been a fellow chemist and fellow naturalist ever since I arrived in Newfoundland 54 years ago. Within a couple of weeks, he took me to Oxen Pond fishing, a few years before the Botanical Garden was established there. We didn’t catch anything and I’ve never been fishing again, but I have revisited Oxen Pond hundreds of times! I shall miss him.
Dear Juliet, Terry and Family:
We were so saddened to hear of Allan’s passing. May you be comforted in remembering all of the good times that you all spent together. Please know that we are thinking of you all at this difficult time. Rest In Peace Allan.
Mary and Jerome Devereaux
I walked with Allan most mornings for many years along a woods trail near his home in Portugal Cove. We’d meet Alan, Rocky and his friend Brian along the trail and continue on together — by 7:30 AM, all seasons, all weathers. . I have really missed Allan since he moved to Tiffany Village and think about him while walking in the woods often. Sincere condolences to his family. He was a lovely man.
I’m sorry to hear of Alan’s death. I met him through his work on C-NLOPB committees. His positive, principled and knowledgeable contributions brought him respect from all who served. A good man.
My condolences to his family.
it was a honour to look after Allan,we miss you so much RIP love, mary , ashley, doreen