1 September 2009

Former Avondale president passes away

Koolewong, New South Wales
Trevor Magnusson/Record staff

Dr Eric Magnusson, president of Avondale College from 1971 to 1980, has passed away suddenly yesterday.

After arriving home from an evening stroll with friends, Dr Magnusson complained about not feeling well. He went next door to his neighbours who called the ambulance that took him to hospital where he passed away shortly after.

Dr Magnusson was born in Townsville in 1933 and as a pastor's kid spent the next 16 years traversing the length and breadth of Eastern Australia. After a degree at what was then known as Avondale Missionary College where he met his would-be wife Leonainie Tolhurst, he pursued further study in science in Sydney and London before accepting a teaching position on the science faculty at Avondale.

After serving as president of Avondale, Dr Magnusson left to concentrate on research and teaching, first at Australian National University and then at the Australian Defense Force Academy.

Dr Magnusson is survived by his three sons, Trevor, Roger and Tony, Trevor's wife Risa and his two grandchildren Andrea and Sean. He was 76.

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