It is with sadness and a great sense of collective loss that we pass on news of the death of Dr Donald (Don) Rees. Don passed away on Friday 17th January at the age of 85.
Dr. Donald Rees came to Nottingham with a London Ph.D. in Mathematics and remained at The University of Nottingham to complete a distinguished career working to maintain the highest standards of pastoral care for students. In 1962, Don was one of the first tutors recruited for the opening of Lincoln Hall. Ten years later he was appointed Deputy Warden of Cripps Hall before crossing the green in 1975 to become Warden of Hugh Stewart Hall. Despite his transition to the dark side, Don remained well connected to Cripps Hall and became a regular fixture at formal hall functions until his retirement in 2004.
Dr. Rees was a highly respected academic, being a professor of mathematics, and a leading member of the University community. The last warden to inhabit the Warden's House at Hugh Stewart in its entirety, the Hall library is now carries his name in recognition of his service to the Hall, the University and the City of Nottingham.
As with many of his Welsh countrymen, his twin passions were rugby football and music, being an accomplished pianist. According to old Lincolnites of that era he was a lively and popular tutor, and the rugby team especially flourished with his encouragement.
Peter Ware, Secretary of the Cripps Hall Trust, said;
"Don will be remembered with particular respect and affection by the Cripps Hall cohort from the early 1970s, when he was Deputy Hall Warden, before 29 years as Warden of our rivals, Hugh Stewart. He was a leading champion of the benefits of the University of Nottingham's Hall system, a friend of the Trust and Life Member of our Association."
Dr. Rees certainly fought hard to maintain the best traditions of the University of Nottingham's Halls, for example keeping a schedule of one Formal Dinner each week, open to all students, when almost all other halls had reduced to two per term. Additionally Hugh Stewart continually staged concerts of a high standard, often hosting the Sinfonia String Quartet. No doubt it was a particular highlight of his career hosting HM Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Hugh Stewart Hall in 1981.
During his time at Hugh Stewart, the University progressively reduced the power and influence of all Hall Wardens. Nevertheless, in the history of the University of Nottingham, perhaps only Dr. Harry Lucas, Warden of first Wortley Hall and then Cripps Hall worked harder to the benefit of the entire Hall system.
Larry George remembers Don Rees with many fond memories, particularly with him and James Owen in the Victorian Evenings at the Cripps Hall Festival and of course the Philoenic Society;
"I remember a number of occasions of dining with him and others in town; Yates Wine Lodge basement restaurant was the favourite. Following each evening came driving him back to campus in his car, a rather lovely white Fiat 130 if I remember rightly. Each journey involved being instructed to drive smoothly, "like cream", so as to help maintain his equilibrium - or what remained of it!"
Dr. Donald Rees (24th March 1939 - 17th January 2025) funeral is being facilitated by Baguley Brothers Funeral Directors of Sherwood, Nottingham and will take place at St. Martins Church, 12 Trevose Gardens, Nottingham, NG5 3FU on Thursday 20th February 2025 at 1:00pm. The family have requested no flowers but welcome donations to Alzheimer's Society in Don's memory. The Association will be represented at his funeral.
Full Details: https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices/17-01-2025-donald-rees/
The Cripps Hall Trust & Association extend our sincere condolences to Simon Kelk and all Don's family and friends.
