John Duncan Dewar was born on 7 March 1932 in Sexsmith, Alberta. Graduating with a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education from the University of Alberta in 1955 he went on to earn a Master of Arts from the University of Ohio in 1960 and a Doctor of Education from the Florida State University in 1965. A former member of the University of Alberta Golden Bears basketball team, Dewar accepted the position of Athletic Director and Coach at the University of Saskatchewan for the 1960-61 academic year. He next moved to the University of Alberta, Calgary, where he was Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Men's Athletic Coordinator and Basketball Coach from 1961 until 1967. The next two years found him serving as Associate Professor and Director of Physical Education at St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. In 1969 Dr. Dewar joined the faculty of Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario. Over the next eight years he held a variety of academic and administrative positions, including: Full Professor and Dean of the Division of Physical Education, Associate Dean of Professional Schools, Acting Director of the School of Social Work, Head Administor of the School of Nursing and Acting Director of the School of Commerce. In 1977 Dewar returned to the University of Saskatchewan as Professor and Dean of the College of Physical Education. He remained Dean until 1986 and continued on faculty as Full Professor until his retirement in 1996, becoming Professor Emeritus. The bulk of Dr. Dewar's scholarly work relates to the study of sports history. Research and publications include works dealing with Dr. James Naismith, the Edmonton Grads, the Olympics, Indigenous athletes and athletics and residential schools. Dewar was member of several local, national and international societies and organizations and served on the editorial board or as a reader for several Saskatchewan sports history groups.