Stuart McCUTCHEON Obituary

Dear Deborah & Famly,

I am not connected directly to Dr. Stuart McCutcheon. I am an engineering lecturer who migrated to NZ in 2012, looking for opportunities in the education field in NZ. Whenever I feel low, I read Dr. Stuart's biography, which gives me the confidence to proceed further in education. He is one of the most inspired academicians in my life. A couple of days ago, I saw his Wikipedia to know his current role and was saddened by his demise.

My deepest condolences to you and your family

Anand

My condolences, Deborah, to you and your family. With our common roots at Miramar North, Knox and Darlington Rd, I have felt an affection for Stuart and followed from Canada his career and success and knew our educational institutions were in such excellent and sensible hands. I am so sorry for your loss at this time.

Our very sincere condolences to the family. We enjoyed Stuart's visits to us in USA, meetings in Auckland, and remember him fondly. Hilton & Barbara Glavish

Hello Deborah and Family. It came as quite a shock and surprise when I learned about Stuart's passing. I send my condolences to you. I was also a member of The Knox Miramar Youth Group when we were teenagers. I saw Stuart appear on TV sometimes and I admire and congratulate him for his great achievement in life. I have a group photo with him at one of the camps we attended. Trevor Bettany. Bulls.

Sincere condolences to Deborah and family. Ean Pike and Judy Hart.

My heartfelt condolences to Deborah and family for the sudden loss of a great man in many ways. I had the privilege of doing my postgraduate studies under Stuart´s supervision at Massey. He taught me not only science, but also other life skills. He taught me how to write proper scientific English and how to drive using Deborah´s car (which stayed in one piece at the end). His students were treated like part of his extended family, and we enjoyed many parties together in the pub or at his home. I will cherish these for the rest of my life.

My condolences to Deborah, Alex, Charles and family. I had the honour to work with Stewart at Massey and at Victoria Universities. He was a great boss and a great man. And I am saying this with all my admiration and deep sadness. New Zealand has lost a man with superior intelligence and integrity.

It was such a shock to hear of Stuart´s passing and deeply saddening. I knew him first from my MU days where he was an impressive up and coming leader, and in later years, our paths crossed several times at national/international events and we linked up - he as VC from NZ´s largest institution and myself as CEO of only a smallish ITP on the east coast on NZ. He was always so warm, friendly and welcoming and great company, with a sharp mind and great wit. I valued his warm friendship at such events. My deep condolences to his family - it´s so sad to learn of his passing.

Condolences to Stuarts family for this untimely loss. I was fortunate to have him as a PhD supervisor and as a mentor early in my career. Much of the advice he gave me, I still use today with my students and junior staff. Paul Kenyon

My heartfelt condolences to Deborah and their children. I got to know Stuart at Cornell when I was a graduate student and he was a post-doc in the Department of Animal Science in Dale Bauman's lab. In addition to helping me and other grad students with our research, Stuart was a terrific friend and witty colleague. We all had a lot of fun times. I was also so impressed to hear how well he did in the rest of his career back in New Zealand. Great memories, and it was such an honor to have known him and Deborah.

I had the privilege of working with Stuart on the strategic plan for Victoria University - he was a visionary in university education and management - innovative and committed. And he was a tremendously nice and considerate person. A big loss for New Zealand.

Deborah, we were deeply saddened to hear of Stuart's sudden passing. He was a true force of nature, an inspiring leader who we all held in the highest regard. He championed strong relationships, never shied away from what needed to be done and we are proud to have worked alongside him over his many years at both the University of Auckland and Victoria University. He will be sorely missed in the many circles he influenced.

Our thoughts are with you and your family.

With kindest regards,

The Board and Leadership Team at Beca

A strong and courageous university leader, a fabulous boss, and marvellously funny. What a terrible loss. Sending my deepest condolences to Deborah and family.

Deborah, Alex, Nita and Charles, our love and thoughts are with you all. Such an honour to have known Stuart, an incredibly dedicated & loving gentleman.. I am forever thankful to Stuart and to you Deborah

A while ago I used to work for Stuart at Massey. I vividly remember many anecdotes working for him, at DAS and told my husband and teenage sons about him. Stuart (and Deborah) had made quite the impression on me and his intelligence, enthusiasm and sharp wit will forever stay with me. I'm sad I won't get to introduce my boys to him. They'd love him too. My deepest sympathy for Deborah and her boys for their loss.

We were so sorry to hear of Stuart's passing. He was a great man of vision and talent. Our thoughts are with Deborah, Alex and Nita and Charles. We will be with you in spirit on Friday.

Sorry to read about stuarts passing. My thoughts are with you and your family.Bronwen and wally piper wellington

Praise God for Stuart McCutcheon´s gifted leadership. During his tenure as VC at Victoria University he encouraged the marginalised, especially Maori students and staff. Whatia pototia te tihi o Taranaki: The peak of Taranaki is broken off. Will miss Stuart. Deepest sympathy to his family for their loss.
Ko Ngatiruahine me Ngapuhi toku iwi. Ko Anne Phillips toku ingoa.

There was much hard work and fun as PhD students and Junior Lecturers in the Sheep Husbandry Department. Stuart's research into thermoregulation by lambs is still relevant today. Balancing our full lives led to us committing to a weekly meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss important issues such as how we could stop Mrs Whippy's teaspoons disappearing from the common room. Junior Lecturers were on fixed term contracts and on one occasion Prof Rae forgot to roll over Stuart's appointment. He famously pulled out his cheque book and said how much do you need! After we both did stints at Cornell University as Postdocs, we combined our physiology and genetics skills to examine the role of IGF-1 in firstly mice and then sheep. This resulted in 15 years of exciting and productive research with postgrad students, postdocs, collaboration with Peter Gluckman and team and invitations to conferences. Sadly (for me) Stuart had his sights set on being a university administrator which he clearly did with the same success as he did in his research career.
We also enjoyed family time together. Our son James still remembers Stuart as the big man who was going to lift the front of our car as we departed after a lovely dinner.
We will miss Stuart and his huge enthusiasm for life.
Hugh, Alana, James and Victoria

A great communicator, a warm personality, an hilarious wit, a razor sharp intellect, a big thinker, always ready to help, one of the best university leaders of recent times. Such a loss. Condolences to Deborah and family.

There was much hard work and fun as PhD students and Junior Lecturers in the Sheep Husbandry Department. Stuart's research into thermoregulation by lambs is still relevant today. Balancing our full lives led to us committing to a weekly meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss important issues such as how we could stop Mrs Whippy's teaspoons disappearing from the common room. Junior Lecturers were on fixed term contracts and on one occasion Prof Rae forgot to roll over Stuart's appointment. He famously pulled out his cheque book and said how much do you need! After we both did stints at Cornell University as Postdocs, we combined our physiology and genetics skills to examine the role of IGF-1 in firstly mice and then sheep. This resulted in 15 years of exciting and productive research with postgrad students, postdocs, collaboration with Peter Gluckman and team and invitations to conferences. Sadly (for me) Stuart had his sights set on being a university administrator which he clearly did with the same success as he did in his research career.
We also enjoyed family time together. Our son James still remembers Stuart as the big man who was going to lift the front of our car as we departed after a lovely dinner.
We will miss Stuart and his huge enthusiasm for life.
Hugh, Alana, James and Victoria

Stuart was a truly extraordinary man...loved, respected and admired, whose life exemplified service to others and he was a joy to be around.