Colin Dobson - Online Memorial Website

I just heard, throuigh Tracy, of Colin's passing. 

Colin taught me art history at Pakuranga College in the 6th and 7th form (1975/76). He was an inspiration. In retrospect I realise he treated us like adults, and he poured so much time, care and insight and energy into a small group of us. 

I loved the way he drew us into art history, and the way it opened up to be much more than just another subject. And I'm grateful for the detail with which he prepared us for exams. As a result I aced the Bursary exams - top result in NZ - and on to Art History at Uni of Auckland.

Thanks belatedly Colin. RIP.

Colin, I miss you...I taught with you at Birkenhead, camped with you at Stony Bay when our kids were small, drank red wine with you often, laughed a huge amount, really enjoyed your intellect and shared many many good times with you. You were an inspirational person; one of my best friends...so sorry you had to leave...

Love, light and peace forever. Your mate Chris XXX

I'm very late here but so happy to find this site.... My last year at Birkdale College was your first year there I think (1980). You taught me art and art history. Your classes were such an inspiration - they opened my eyes to a world I was already searching for and I gained so much.... One of things I really liked about you was how you expected a great deal from us, and how you talked to me like an adult. We had some serious discussions about art and creativity and you told me to read a book which I find difficult now! I remember...the funny sarcastic comments, you sitting on your glasses when you got carried away telling us tales of artists in Paris, the mentions of red wine (of course!)...and the intelligence really. It took me a while but I ended up returning to art and doing an MA in Drawing...it all started with your classes. Thanks and god bless, Jane.

Had the pleasure of being in his 6th form Art History class and also the pleasure of being put on detention for getting busted smoking lol good times god bless Mr Dobson

This news has come as a real shock....it's because of you that I went on to study art history at University, then went on to work in museums and art galleries. I'm now a GM at Te Papa, don't know what you would have made of that, I'm sure you would have had strong opinions! (And, by the way, it was me who wrote up the donation form for the 'Colin Dobson Oakley fund' on the desk in the art room...y'see, we all thought you were a bit mad when we started, but how else to deal with thirteen year olds??) Hope you're having a blast catching up with all those Old Masters up there...say hi to Henri Rousseau for me. Wish we'd caught up before you left. xx