Hamilton farewells a founding father

By ELIZABETH BINNING

One of Hamilton's founding fathers has died.

Sir Don Llewellyn, the man behind Waikato University and Fieldays, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday morning.

Yesterday, as the university's flag flew at half mast, tributes poured in for the 84-year-old who contributed so much to the Waikato region.

Aviation entrepreneur Ossie James, who met Sir Don during a Fieldays meeting nearly 35 years ago, said his good friend's services to Waikato were exceptional.

Mr James was saddened by the news but not surprised.

"His health has been going backwards for some time now but it had really deteriorated in the last month."

After a stint as a professor of chemistry and associate vice-chancellor at Auckland University in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Sir Don moved to the Waikato where he became the university's first vice-chancellor.

Mr James said Sir Don believed the strength of a successful university lay in the hands of the community, and as such he went out of his way to involve the public.

He offered the university halls for Fieldays meetings. He spent many hours at local pony clubs judging showjumping competitions.

"He had a special skill of selecting people and winning their confidence. That really was his strength."

Hamilton Mayor David Braithwaite described Sir Don, who helped conceive the Fieldays idea and later became the president of the Fieldays Society, as a local icon.

Waikato University vice-chancellor Bryan Gould said if anyone could claim to be uniquely important in the establishment and success of the university it was Sir Don.

Hamilton West MP Martin Gallagher recalled Sir Don as an approachable leader at the university, where he held the role of vice-chancellor for 20 years.

Hamilton East MP Dianne Yates said Sir Don made an enormous contribution to science. He put Waikato on the map internationally in terms of the area's importance in agriculture and dairying.

Sir Don is survived by a son and daughter. The council and the university are discussing ways for the public to pay tribute, possibly through a memorial service.