Chris Haines (22 Sep 1946 - 24 May 2025)

Our love, sympathy and prayers for Linda, Sophie and Andrea.
Chris is resting in eternal love and peace, free of all suffering

I have fond memories of working with Chris when he was President of the Royal Entomological Society and I was Hon Secretary. In addition to organising the now Annual Conference at a different university in the UK each year, we had to create a buzz about National Insect Week - a new idea, among other things persuading and organising high profile insect scientists from around the UK to talk daily to the press for a whole week. Chris used his contacts skilfully involving the younger generation as well and all went well as far as I remember, with the help of Cicada PR posting out specially-printed information packs to schools, universities and other organisations who had offered to participate. It was an exciting time, grat success, for once bugs got a high profile and Chris welcomed being one of the judges for the photo competition, a post which he continued to do upto the present day.
We were also colleagues on the editorial board of the Bulletin of Entomological Research for many years and I am indebted to his insightful referee's reports on many papers. I really appreciated his depth of knowledge and experience of working with stored products insects. On one occasion I thought his expertise might not quite run to termites (the section at NRI had just closed down) and having two back-to-back termite papers, I cleverly used each author as a referee for the other's paper. Alas, unbeknown to me (and I had worked on termites) they apparently hated each other and tore each other's paper to bits. All quietened down, eventually, and we published both articles, possibly in the same issue.
Whenever we met he would always update me on his daughters singing exploits, just like a proud father should. And now Ive heard them.
I know Chris worked very hard when RES President and I shall miss his dedication, rebellious humour and that smile.
Vale.

In memory of Chris Haines.

Happy memories of Chris when we all lived in Maidenhead and you and Ian ran such great parties in your flat near the river, Sorry not to have been able to make it to the funeral - Pat said it was very moving. All the best Steve Harrington

Dear Linda, Sophie & Andrea, We are thinking of you at this sad time and remembering you hospitality on our visits to the UK during which we enjoyed Chris' excellent cooking. He will be sadly missed, Love Jill & Peter

In memory of Chris RIP

We only met Chris and Linda on Mercer Ward. It was immediately obvious they were made for each other. Tough situations often bring about gallows humour. When other patients made what were often, inappropriate or highly amusing comments, Chris would catch my eye and we would share a chuckle together. Moments of light in a dark place, and moments I will treasure.

So sorry for your loss My thoughts and prayers are with you all

A trustworthy friend and support who provided invaluable guidance in many of my working ventures.

A lovely and caring neighbour, rest in peace Chris🙏Steve and Teresa

Chris was the Head of the NRI Food Security Department when I joined in 1998. Chris was truly a gentle man and an entomologist in the style of a now bygone era.

I won't forget his kind smile, his interest in the active volcano in PNG during my interview, the amazing insect models that adorn our office walls, the charismatic insect cartoons, and Chris' ongoing interest and encouragement for stored product management work even from a distance and up to just a few months ago.

Sorry not to be able to join the chorus to send Chris onwards today, but I will be with you in thought.

Sending love and prayers to Linda, Sophie and Andrea and everyone who knew and loved Chris, a great guy

Thank you, Chris, for your fascinating insights and challenging questions

May you rest in peace and rise in glory, Chris. Thank you for being a mentor to me ..

Chris was my oldest friend. We met aged 11 in our first term at Farnborough Grammar School and shared in many lessons, science practicals, school plays (I was a lowly stage hand whilst he was the actor!), CCF experiences including expeditions and camps, and general school mates stuff! I met my wife sitting under his piano but the story is too long to tell here! Meetings since have been relatively rare but when we did meet it was as if the last time had been only yesterday (and the Christmas newsletter was always to look forward to). I admired his work ethic and his tenacity, his love of family and regard for people but most of all I valued him as a true friend. He will be greatly missed.

I met Chris at Southampton University. He was studying Zoology and I was studying Botany, but we attended the same lectures in the first year. In addition we were in the same hall of residence - on the 8th floor.
As a result of our friendship I am glad to say that he agreed to be best man at our wedding. We lost touch for a while but after making contact again we were pleased that Chris and Linda were able to come to both our silver and golden wedding anniversary events.
I will always have many happy memories of Chris, including his taking little persuasion to purchase a new Beatles record over a needed toothbrush and taking Chris and other Zoologists to learn taxidermy at the Natural History Museum. Unfortunately the proposed trip was cancelled when the Suez Canal was closed.
He will be sadly missed by many.

We Scottish Passways owe a lot to Chris’s ancestry research His deep interest and patience gave us so much knowledge

Rest in peace Chris. Thank you for all your contributions to the science of entomology and making the world a better place.

It was always so lovely to see Chris at concerts. Though our meetings were fairly few in number, I always found him a wise and kind man; a true gentleman who had a distinguished career, eclectic interests and obvious love for his family. May he rest in peace.