It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing at home on October 2, 2024 of Dr. Keith Alan Hobson at the age of 70, following a brief battle with cholangiocarcinoma. Born on July 10, 1954, in Harrow, England, to Harold Hobson of Elsecar, Yorkshire, and Eleanor Violet (née Blaskett) of London, Keith immigrated to Vancouver, BC, with his family in 1966. He is survived by his younger sister, Debra Ann Dailey of Wakaw, Saskatchewan. His older sister, Julie Frances Constantini, resides in Teramo, Italy, and his middle sister, Hazel Lilian Hobson, passed away in Kailua, Hawaii.
Keith shared a deep connection with nature, a passion he nurtured throughout his life. On June 6, 2004, he married B. Xiomara Mora Alvarez, and together, they dedicated themselves to conservation efforts, particularly focusing on Monarch butterfly conservation and ecology in Mexico.
Keith was a pioneering figure in isotope ecology, contributing to the understanding of food webs and the migration of insects, birds, and mammals through innovative isotope analysis. His work spanned ecosystems from the Arctic to the Antarctic, including every province and territory in Canada. His groundbreaking research fundamentally transformed our knowledge of animal migration and dietary ecology, influencing conservation efforts worldwide.
Keith earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Simon Fraser University in 1977, where he later worked for seven years in the Archaeology Department’s stable isotope lab. He completed his M.Sc. at the University of Manitoba in 1988 and pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Saskatchewan, where his fascination with isotope ecology blossomed. He later became a postdoctoral fellow at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In 1992, he joined Environment Canada in Saskatoon as a Senior Research Scientist. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan and, in 2015, took on a role as a Professor of Biology at Western University in London, Ontario. His prolific career included publishing over 650 scientific papers and editing a seminal textbook on using stable isotopes to track migratory animals.
Dr. Hobson’s contributions were recognized with numerous accolades, including his election as a Fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 2004, the Royal Society of Canada in 2013, and the International Ornithological Union in 2018. His tireless work and mentorship touched countless students, collaborators, and researchers, particularly in Latin America, where he conducted research in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and more recently, Cuba.
Beyond his professional achievements, Keith was known for his generosity, humility, and sharp sense of humor. His playful impressions of humans and animals, particularly his favorite bird -the cormorant – brought joy to those around him. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched and the field of ecology, which he so profoundly influenced.
Dr. Hobson is survived by his family, friends, and colleagues in the global scientific community, all of whom will miss his guidance, friendship, and unwavering commitment to conservation. The world has lost a brilliant mind, but his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of scientists.
In lieu of flowers, Dr. Hobson requested that those wishing to honor his memory to plant a tree.