Ian was the senior scientist specializing in microscopy before becoming Manager of the Analytical Research Laboratory (ARL). He has been active in the research into the analysis, recording and conservation of Aboriginal rock painting and petroglyph sites in Canada since first arriving at CCI. Ian collaborated with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Sears and Russell Consultants (Toronto architects), and other partners to conserve the petroglyphs (Kinomagewapkong, “The Teaching Rocks”) at Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Ontario. In response to CCI’s research and recommendations, a protective structure was built over the petroglyph site in 1985.

Ian has written over 50 papers on a wide range of subjects including reviews of rock art recording methods and scientific methods of examination. Other topics include: Slatechuck Creek argillite used by Haida carvers; the wall paintings at the Mogao and Bingling Grottoes (Peoples’ Republic of China); the examination of a Tsimshian stone mask from Kitkatla near the mouth of the Skeena River; and collaborative research with the Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano on the analysis of rock painting sites in Argentina including the World Heritage Site, Cueva de las Manos, in Patagonia. Ian was also the principal author of the chapter on the artists’ pigment lead antimonate (Naples) yellow in Volume 1 of Artists’ Pigments: A Handbook of Their History and Characteristics published by the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC) in 1986. He examined, with his ARL colleagues and others, paintings and objects by Tom Thomson, Rembrandt, and Hobbema, among many others.

Ian was a pioneer in applying database management systems in conservation. By 1973, he was working on developing systems for storing conservation and analytical data for CCI. He served as editor of the Journal of the International Institute for Conservation—Canadian Group from 1976 to 1978 and was Manager of ARL from 1993 until July 2004. Ian has been an active supporter of Art and Archaeology Technical Abstracts (AATA) and was a great promoter of conservation, CCI and ARL through newsletters and journal articles, lectures and media interviews. He also acted as a mentor to many of his colleagues who have benefitted greatly over the years from his vast experience. Ian was very proud of ARL’s role in serving museums, law enforcement agencies, conservators, curators, archaeologists and others. He always strove to maintain a very high standard of scientific and technical excellence.

Ian can now be found on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, on the other side of Canada from CCI, enjoying the mountains and ocean and being closer to his two children. He is still active in conservation science research and rock art conservation and site management.

I would like to thank Ian very much for his immense contribution to all his colleagues in ARL and to the field of conservation science in general to which he has contributed greatly over the years. We wish him all the best.