Rasul "Russ" Azim Khan
October 31, 1934 to January 15, 2026
Obituary
For those unable to attend the memorial service for the late Rasul Khan
on January 20th at 11:00 a.m. in person,
you are able to follow along on the Facebook livestreaming link provided.
Click HERE
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather Rasul (Russ) Azim Khan, 91 years old.
He is predeceased by his parents Lynette and Thomas; siblings Merzeema, Zamoona and Assaud.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Barbara; children, sons Rafiq (Natalie), Rahman (Carla), daughter Sherida (Hakan); six grandchildren Mikaela, Peyton, Jude, Justin, Connor and Liliana; brother Cassim; brother-in-law to Elizabeth and Terrence Vieira, Stanley and Hazel Armagon, Margaret and Frank Gomes, Norma and Patrick Woodford; niece Jennifer and nephews Zad, Shawn and Peter.
Rasul immigrated from Guyana, South America in 1961 to pursue studies in Canada. Following his graduation from the university of Toronto. Rasul joined the Department of Biology and Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1969, with a cross-appointment to the Ocean Science Centre. There, he pursued his passion for research on diseases in fish and wildlife, while guiding and mentoring many students throughout his career. In addition to his teaching and research, he gave considerable services to the scientific community, including serving as Vice-President of the Canadian Society of Zoologists and as President of the World Federation of Parasitologists. He published widely in peer-reviewed scientific journals and shared his work at numerous international conferences. In recognition of his contributions to the field, he was awarded the Alastair Wardle Medal for outstanding achievement in parasitology. Upon his retirement in 2000, he was appointed Professor Emeritus at Memorial University of Newfoundland, an honour that reflected his lasting impact as a scholar, mentor and colleague.
The family of Rasul wish to express their gratitude and thanks to the care, support and community their close friends, neighbors from Virginia Place, Archdeacon Amanda Taylor and other members of faith community have provided over the years.
Cremation has taken place.
A memorial service will take place at St. Mark’s Anglican Church located 203 Logy Bay Rd, in St. John’s on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception at St. Mark’s.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rasul’s memory to Bennett/Khan Bursary in Biology scholarship fund at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Click the link provided below to make a donation.
Schedule
funeral
11:00am, Tuesday January 20th
St. Mark's Anglican Church
Located on 203 Logy Bay Road in St. John's.
Reception
12:00pm, Tuesday January 20th
St. Mark's Anglican Church
203 Logy Bay Rd, St. John's
To take place after the 11:00 a.m. memorial service.
Condolences from the Bennett family. I appreciate Dr. Kahn’s discussions after my father passed away. He will be very much missed.
Thank you all for your kind words. Russ will be missed but he will live on in our memories as a loving, caring husband , father, brother, uncle., friend, etc. May he rest in peace..
Mrs. Khan and family, our sincerest condolences on the passing of Dr. Khan. Mom and Dad (late Alice and Daniel Cadigan) thought highly of Dr. Khan and your family and appreciated your friendship throughout the years.
We wish you peace and comfort.
The Cadigan family (Kathy, Agnes, Ann and Dan)
It is with great sadness that I send my condolences to Russ’s family on learning of his passing. Dr. Khan (how I originally referred to him) changed my life in that he gave me my first work opportunity in 1985. I remember the day I walked into his office at MUN looking for work and ended up discussing the cod fishery for over an hour. He was my supervisor for both my Honours and Masters dissertations. I have many fond memories of conducting field and laboratory work at the OSC and around the province with Russ. He was a great man who was respected and loved by all his colleagues and students. I will deeply miss him.
I was privileged to know Dr. Khan from MUN’s Dept of Biology back in the 1970s. He was a very gifted scientist and a friendly and outgoing human being. My sincerest condolences on the occasion of his passing, he will be greatly missed.
Marvin Barnes
Sending my condolences to Dr. Khan’s Family. I worked at the OSC and I found Dr. Khan to be a very professional and kind person. May your happy memories help you during this difficult time. Rest in Dr. Khan.
Dear Barbara and family,,
In this difficult time, may peace and love and happy memories surround you.
So sorry for your loss Khan family, thoughts and prayers are with you..
Dear Barbara,
So sorry to hear of Azim’s passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prays. May your memories bring you comfort at this time. I will always remember my trip to Algonquin Park and Azim letting me bring home a frog. when I was a kid. He will be missed.
Dear Barbara,, . please know that you are being held in prayer at this time. May you and your family know deep peace and comfort as you mourn the loss of Russ .
May the sweetness and joy of the years spent together overcome the sadness you have now.
Love and prayers
Linda & Norman (Budden)
He was a great man. I took 2 parasitology courses from him in undergrad i learned invaluable knowledge that has been very applicable to my practice. He help set the foundation of learning and set a standard as an educator that few it will rise to. thank you, Dr, Kahn, he will be missed.But your legacy will live on. May your memory always be a blessing.
Helen and I were saddened to learn about Russ.
As we give thanks for his life, we also pray for you and yours during your time of grieving, and we commend his spirit into the eternal care of our loving God.
Hollis Hiscock.
Dear Barbara and family.
I was saddened to hear of “Russ’s” recent passing.. I first met Russ at U of T in the 1960s and then Ian and I happened to relocate to Memorial University in the same year. We happily continued our friendship in the Dept. of Biology for a long stretch. His happy demeanour and energetic personality always brightened those around him, as did your beautiful smile, Barbara.
My condolences to your and your family, Carolyn
My deepest sympathy to your whole family. I have lovely memories of Dr Khan from my time growing up in Newfoundland with Sherida. Kind, generous and loving to all and such an interesting person who loved good conversation.
Thinking of you all.
Barbara and family,
Sorry to hear of Russ’ passing.
We have lost a wonderful gentleman! I have always enjoyed chatting with him at Synod Office Christmas parties and also when he was a patient at the hospital.
Barbara, you are in our prayers and we offer you and your family our deepest condolences.
May Russ now rest in peace and rise again in glory.
May our God give you strength and peace at this time. God bless you!
Deepest sympathies Rahman and the entire Khan family! So sorry for your loss.
Rahman, I am very sorry to hear of father’s passing. Chris and I send you, Carla and your whole family our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
As a longtime neighbour to Mr. Khan (as I always called him) and his family on Virginia Place, I fondly recall those special occasions when he’d do something out of the ordinary. Whether it was taking me, my dad and Raf on a fishing trip off the wharf in Bay Bulls to catch sculpins for his ongoing experiments, a behind the scenes tour of ‘The Marine Lab,’ or transforming their living room into a makeshift cinema for a showing of some National Film Board movies on his teaching projector at RAF’s birthday party, he certainly tried to balance the entertainment with the education, and did so extraordinarily well. As I got older, I realized that he was one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. He’s missed. Thank you for helping make my childhood so memorable. Love to the Khan Family.
Rafiq and family,
My heartfelt condolences for your loss. Wishing you comfort and peace as you remember and celebrate his life.
Barbara and family,
So very sorry to hear of Russ’s passing. Our deepest condolences to all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
To Russ family I send my condolences on his passing.unfortunately I never got to meet his family but had many conversations with him whe I cut his hair at central barbershop 💈 Avalon Mall .Several conversations were made about his greenhouse because of course he knew that is a hobby mine.Rest peacefully in Gods beautiful garden Russ
Dear Barbara and family,
Was speaking with Norma who told me that she had just heard of Azim’s passing. Hilly, Walter and I extend our Condolences to you all at this sad time. You have enjoyed a wonderful life together Barbara and with the passing of time the sadness you now feel will be replaced by the happy memories you have shared with the family.
Thinking of you all at this sad time, Audrey
My condolences Barbara! May your husband RIP! 🙏
To Dr. Khan’s family
So saddened to hear of Dr.. Khan’s passing. He was one of the finest professors that I had the pleasure of learning from. He had a genuine love of not only teaching but of being a friend and mentor. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Rest in peace and God speed Dr. Khan.
Darrin Sooley
B.Sc. Biology 1987
Barbara we were very sorry to hear of Azim’s passing. We have you and the family in our thoughts and prayers. Michael always remembers when he visited him in Algonquin Park and he showed Michael some research he was doing with a raven. He said he was absolutely fascinated when you are a 13 years old, he said he will always remember that. Take care and hope to speak to you I soon.
Dear Barbara and the entire family, Naidu and I have had the honor of enjoying you all, thanks to Asim connecting us regularly, even though we live far apart, St Hon’s to Los Angeles. Azim and I not only enjoy the family relationship, but our shared professional commitment to higher education. While he will be missed, he has built a wonderful legacy which his “children” will definitely carry on.
Our condolences to the famlily and we hope to keep in touch indefinitely. With love, Jane and all the Permauls in CA
I just noticed Rasul’s obituary which brought memories for me as he’s one time solicitor. He was a fine man and I had great respect for him. We got along very well, but unfortunately, time passes and I have not seen or heard of him in a number of years.
He remains in my fondest memories and I’m sorry for the family’s loss.
So sorry to hear of Russ’s passing. My deepest condolences to all the family at this difficult time. May he rest in peace
Auntie Barbara,
We are saddened to hear of Uncle Russ’s passing. Dad was always so delighted when he had a chance to connect with his school chum, and tales of their time at school never failed to bring him a smile. The opportunity to travel with you both was a cherished memory for both Mom and Dad.
Sincere condolences from Sybil, Nadira, and Indira
Dear Sharida and family,
My heart goes out to you at this difficult time.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Much love and happy memories,
Auntie Grace.
Sherida and family,
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Sending my sincerest condolences at this devestating time. Keep your memories close, they will sweeten with time.
Dear Barb
Nizam and I are saddened to hear of your beloved Azim’s passing. We were lucky to be in his company on our China trip; he was truly a lovely man in every respect. May God rest his soul.
Our deepest sympathy to you and your children
Raf, Sherida, and Rahman,
thinking of you all (and your lovely mom) and hoping you’re all together to share good memories of your dad. He was a sweet man.
Hilary
Dear Barbara, I’m so sorry to hear of Azim’s passing,. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Dear Barbara,
Sending my love to you and your family as you mourn the passing of your dear Russ. I’d heard you speak of him so fondly for many years and felt as though I knew him! May he rest in peace.
Dear Barbara and family so sorry to hear of your loved ones passing. My sincere condolences to you all. My prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Dear Barbara,
With deep sorrow, I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved husband, Russ, whose life of dedication to family, scholarship, and science leaves a profound legacy. As we mourn, may Christ’s promise of eternal life bring you comfort.
On behalf of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, our love and prayers are with you, your children, Rafiq, Rahman, Sherida, and all your family.
Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. Amen.
In Christ’s love,
The Rt. Rev. Sam Rose
Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador