The life of Sir Donald Beaven is likely to be remembered formally by Canterbury University.
The 85-year-old died on Wednesday while trying to put out a fire at his Banks Peninsula bach. Sir Donald had a long association with the university, working hard to develop its communication disorders and health sciences departments.
Deputy vice chancellor Professor Ian Town says there will be a formal farewell but the university will wait to hear what Sir Donald's family is planning to do before making plans of its own.
