From Steven Benjamins

I first got in touch with Jon in late 2000; at the time I was unemployed with my M.Sc. in marine biology and looking for a place to do a Ph.D., preferably in marine mammal science (but already aware of the long odds of that ever happening). I emailed Jon out of the blue asking him whether I might be able to work for him, and much to my surprise he did not immediately turn me down, but suggested funding might be available in the not too distant future. One thing led to another and I started my Ph.D. at MUN under him in 2002. I can honestly say that Jon’s decision to take me on as a grad student changed my life, and led me to places I never imagined I’d go. I am deeply grateful for his faith in an unknown Dutch student’s ability to deliver the goods. He made me appreciate the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to difficult conservation problems such as entrapments of marine mammals in fishing gear. For another, though Jon had a down-to-earth view of the world, he never seemed to stop dreaming and trying to make it a better place, and that positive attitude has been a huge inspiration ever since. Last but not least, I would not have met my lovely wife if Jon had not taken me on as a student that day.

Although presently living far from Newfoundland, it still feels like my second home and I have Jon to thank for introducing me to such a wonderful place with such great people. I am glad I had the opportunity to get to know him, and he will be surely missed.

This post was submitted by Steven Benjamins.