It is deeply saddeing that our much loved and admired colleague, friend and mentor, Prof. Matt Gage, passed away a few days back (15th Jan 2022).
Anyone who knew him even topically would have quickly found out he was a complete gentleman – ever ready to offer help and listen patiently.
It will always be an honour to have learnt from him- his professional advice was something we all looked forward to. Today, we owe him a massive heartfelt thank you for instilling those core values of the “Gage lab” in all his mentees (conferences will not be the same without you) and for putting our welfare and betterment first.
We offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends and mentees. May they have immense strength to get through this irreparable loss.
As members of his research group, we hope to keep his legacy afloat and remember the twinkle in those eyes whenever we arrived at these doors! Thank you Matt- rest in peace. Lots of love.
The Gage sanctum
by Ramakrishnan Vasudeva
Matthew Gage Research
Very sorry to hear of this, all the best to you.
Thank you Mike.
Hard to know what to say. Loved his science, loved his humour and loved his outlook. A downright lovely bloke who will be very much missed. Absolutely gutted!
Thank you Stu- yes really sad news and we now have the responsibility of fulfilling his commitement to great Science. That is a tall order i guess.
No words, I have not met but the way he put in words, able to gues his kind hearted, ever helping attitude..
Thank you Amma- yes a great person all in all. Such a great scienctist too!
I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of this news. I was doing my PhD at Liverpool University when Matt came from Manchester Uni to do a postdoc with Geoff Parker in 1992. Matt was a truly wonderful person in every respect with a fantastic sense of humor. His presence lit up the lab at the end of the corridor and when I defended my PhD thesis in 1995 he and Jospeh Tomkins took me out for an amazing celebration. I admired his research and we kept in touch over the years, and were planning a collaboration on climate extremes and sperm viability in spiders. I send his family, students and colleagues my deepest condolences.
Thank you Jeffrey. These are such wonderful stories of Matt. We will pass this information on to his family when the time is right as they are collecting all the messages to the future. We are very grateful that you could share it with us on this platform. Additionally, Matt’s professional email address will be functional until sometime, so his family can access all the messages sent there about fond memories associated with Matt. Many thanks.
I am saddened and shocked to hear this very sad news. I haven’t been in touch with Matt for many years; however, I have very fond memories of him as both an UG & PhD student at Manchester University…such a lovely person. We had some great times on field courses to Spain and on an expedition to Madeira in 1990/91? Sending my heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family and friends.
Lesley
Dear Lesley, thank you for sending in your tributes about Matt and your lovely comments just adds to the rich tributes pouring in. I hope to send your wonderful thoughts to Matt’s family- they will find comfort reading this. Thank you.
Dear Ram – a lovely tribute. Matt is (it still feels too raw to write was) deeply admired, respected and loved as a colleague and friend. I feel that it is a rare privilege to have had the opportunity to work with him. We will so miss his humour, sharp wit and all those future opportunities to be scientifically ‘Gaged’.
Many thanks Tracey. Like you say a very rare human being who just knew and admired everyone he interacted with. I am sure you have so many lovely and wonderful anecdotes. His wit especially with come as great solace to anyone on ‘off’ days. What a wonderful colleague and Boss!
Thank you all for leaving such beautiful and kind memories of our lovely Boss. His majestic aura fills us all with so much joy. We will pass on this love to his family and colleagues. Many thanks.
I have not spoken to Matt since I graduated last year, however he was a super advisor throughout my time in BIO from 2017-2021. He was always there to listen and offer advice and helped me through the worst time of my life, and was a huge part of how I got through university. Matt recognised I had potential and pushed for me to carry on and even helped get me into my PGCE with a brilliant reference. I will always remember and cherish that I had the opportunity to know him. Sending my condolences to his family and friends.
Many thanks Yasmin for writing such a lovely note about your experience with Matt. His family will find some comfort reading this.
I was so sorry to hear about Matt. We had many good conversations over the years about science, and about Rathlin. A chat with him always brightened the day and he shows how the best science comes out of an excellent mind and generosity of spirit.
Thank you Anne for writing you memories about Matt. As you note, he was not just an exceptional person but a phenomenal Scientist- a very rare combination. His family will be sent your comments for them cherish such great stories coming into this forum. A big thank you.
Very saddenend to hear the news, and my thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. Matt was, as has been said, very generous in spirit and enjoyed engaging in stimulating discussions and supporting others. His many contributions and wide scientific impact, as well as more personal inflence on those around him, will continue to be something much valued. His enthusiasm and mentorship was very evident in a recent PhD viva for one of my students, an experience that we all very much enjoyed.
Thank you Gary- you have summed it right. If he ever read all that you wrote, he’d be very touched. He never took credit for any of the good he did- direct or indirect and many of his thoughts and kindness were just free flowing. He was an impeccable human being- never missed an opportunity to listen and provide valuable inputs on any matter. We are so happy to note that he conducted a PhD viva for one of your students, and that they cherished the experience overall. A much appreciated message- I will pass this on to his wife and two daughters. They will love reading this tribute. Kind regards.
Truly sorry to hear about his passing, Ram. I have fond memories of chatting science and laughing a lot at BOS meetings. My deepest condolences to his family and all those who have known him.
Thank you very much Nalini- yes was tragic loss to everyone, especially folks at BoS. That conference will not be the same without Matt (i think). I will collect your lovely message as a tribute to his family as they will find solace in these warm thoughts. He was well and truly a phenomenal PI. Hope you are well- do take care. Nandri, Vanakkam
Rest in peace Matt. We will raise a glass to your legacy and memory at ISBE in Stockholm. My thoughts are with your family and close friends at this difficult time.
Thank you Ian. We are very grateful for your thoughts. His legacy will continue forever.
Very sad to hear this news. I knew Matt in Manchester and Liverpool Unis and have some very fond memories of him there and, as others have said, a great colleague and friend. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Thank you so much for getting in touch Andy. We resonate your thoughts. Matt was an amazing person all round, taken too soon. His family, colleagues at UEA, friends all over are all shocked beyond belief. Anyone who knew him can relate to his kindness, twinkle in those eyes and wit – it is very hard to talk about Matt in the past tense! Will send in your thoughts and condolences to Matt’s family.