IN tragic irony, the extraordinary brain which set Professor Leslie Robinson apart among men, in the end failed him when it fell victim to Alzheimer’s, the debilitating brain disease that left him a mere shadow of the sharp, assertive man he once was.

But family, friends and former colleagues of the late professor were determined yesterday to remember him as the brilliant mathematician whose life before illness was full and fulfilling.

“His was a pleasant life growing up and as we think of him, let us remember him not only as a gifted scholar but also as a warm human being,” a tribute from the family read.

Professor Robinson, who passed away on April 4 at age 82, was eulogised as an outstanding son of the soil who had given his life to the development of tertiary education in the region, at a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the University of the West Indies (UWI) chapel at Mona, St Andrew.

Former colleague and family friend, Professor Rex Nettleford sang praises not only of Professor Robinson’s brilliance but his philanthropy as well.

“The brilliant teacher that he was, was matched by the compassionate care-giving reputation he built up among students from his early pioneering days on the Mona campus, through the time he spent introducing the regional university to Cave Hill (Barbados) to his final days as the first principal of the Mona campus, pro-vice chancellor for planning and development and acting vice chancellor,” he said in the remembrance.

Current vice-chancellor of the UWI, E Nigel Harris noted Professor Robinson’s contribution to several governmental and non-governmental organisations, such as the Mathematical Foundation of Jamaica – which he started – all major university committees, and UNESCO, as indication of the mathematician’s “absolute commitment to the cause of education in this region”, epitomising “the real meaning of service above self”.