Laurier mourns the passing of Dr. A. Margaret Evans
Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing WLU
Laurier mourns the passing of A. Margaret Evans, a history professor at Waterloo College and Waterloo Lutheran University from 1940 to 1965 who maintained a lifelong connection to the university.
A renowned historian and author, Evans served as chair of the history department and dean of women and was recognized as an Honorary Laurier Alumna in 1997. She married fellow Waterloo College Professor Wellesley Dorland (Don) Evans, who passed away in 1954. Their sons Robert (BA ’67) and John (BA ’74, MA ’83), and grandson Rob (BA ’01) attended Laurier.
The Evans family established the W.D. Evans Award for students following the passing of Don Evans.
Friends are invited to share memories of Margaret Evans with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday Dec., 26, from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. The funeral service marking her extraordinary life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 54 Queen St. N., Kitchener, with visitation at St. Andrew’s one hour prior to the service.
Laurier mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Robert Fisher
Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing
Aug 5/14
The Wilfrid Laurier University community mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Robert Fisher, who passed away Aug. 2 in his 83rd year.
Born and educated in the United States, Fisher taught at Northwestern University in Illinois before immigrating to Canada in 1967 to teach in the Religion and Culture Department at Laurier (then Waterloo Lutheran University). During his 30-year career, Fisher influenced thousands of students through his teaching, including his overseas travel seminars to the Middle East and Asia. He retired from Laurier in 1997.
Fisher is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce; his children Beth, Fran, Bob and Warren, and their spouses; and several grandchildren.
Family and friends will be received at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St., S., Waterloo on Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A private interment will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Grand Philharmonic Choir or the Sunnyside Foundation through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com.
To view a full obituary, please click here.
Professor Emeritus David Falk
Laurier mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus David Falk
Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing
Jun 3/13
It is with deep sadness that Wilfrid Laurier University announces the loss of the Faculty of Music’s Professor Emeritus David Falk, who died June 1 at the age of 80.
Falk began his dynamic teaching career with Laurier’s Faculty of Music in 1975 as a voice instructor and, although modest about his accomplishments, was a highly respected vocal pedagogue. His contributions to teaching have truly impacted Canadian singing.
Falk also led Laurier’s Opera program beginning in the late ’70s and had continued involvement until his retirement. He was keen on making performances memorable and often would invite composers such as Virgil Thomson and Malcolm Williamson to bring attention to Laurier’s program and students.
Falk’s influence on Laurier’s Faculty of Music was felt far beyond retirement and will continue for years to come. He will be remembered fondly by his former students and fellow faculty members.
Wilfrid Laurier University flags are being flown at half-mast to mourn Falk’s passing.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 4, starting at 7 p.m., at Erb Street Mennonite Church, 131 Erb St. W., Waterloo, followed by a reception.
Condolences for the family or donations to the Mennonite Central Committee would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Rest in peace, my dearest dad
Regehr, Henry
Laurier mourns the passing of Henry Regehr
Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing
Aug 24/11
The Laurier community mourns the passing of Laurier sociology instructor Henry Regehr, who died August 22, 2011 at the age of 71.
Regehr taught part time in Laurier’s Sociology Department since joining the university in 1970. Among other courses, he regularly taught “Introduction to Sociology” and “Sociological Perspectives on Canadian Society.”
Born in Paraguay, Regehr immigrated to Canada at the age of 14. He held a BA from Waterloo Lutheran University, a BD from Mennonite Bretheren Bible College, an MA from the University of Alberta and a PhD from the University of Waterloo, where he also taught part time for 30 years.
“Henry was a lovely man who always had time to chat and share a kind word. He will certainly be missed,” says Dana Sawchuk, chair of Laurier’s Sociology Department. “When you think about the thousands of students who would have taken Introduction to Sociology with Dr. Regehr over the decades, his impact on the Laurier community as an instructor was also undeniable.”
Regehr also preached at local churches over the years. He is survived by his wife Esther, children Jeff and his wife Andi, and Doug and his wife Melissa, and his grandchildren.
Martínez, Hermes
Jan 4/11
It is with great sorrow that the Department of Languages and Literatures announces the passing of our friend and colleague Hermes Martínez, who passed away on the morning of December 30, 2010. Beloved by students and colleagues, Professor Martínez was an instructor of Spanish at Wilfrid Laurier University since 2002. Services were attended by colleagues and former students as well as family and friends at Butler Chapel, Etobicoke on January 2 and January 3. We will miss him dearly.
HEALEY, Philip Basil (October 22, 1927 – July 20, 2010)
Former business professor and VP Academic
Passed away peacefully and with dignity at St. Mary’s General Hospital on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, in his 83rd year.
Loving and deeply beloved husband of Helen (Schavo) of 52 years. Loving father of Ellen (Michael Cherry), Basil (Marisela Chavez-Healey), Martha and Paul (Monique Lorenz-Healey). Dearly loved grandfather of Ian, Grace, Amelia and Meagan. Dear brother and friend of Eileen Mountain. Basil was a proud uncle of Kate, Tim, John, Peter, Beth and Paul. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Irene Fitzmaurice and Patricia Healey. Predeceased by his parents Basil and Kathleen Healey, his brother Gleeson and his sister Catherine.
Basil received his Bachelor of Arts (Honours Business Administration) from the University of Western Ontario (1952), a Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit (1954), a Master of Arts (Economics) from the University of Michigan (1958) and a Doctorate in Financial Administration from Michigan State University (1963). A pioneer in educational television, Basil taught a broadcast course in economics at WJBK-TV in Michigan in 1959. Basil was a member of the Department of Economics at the University of Detroit as well as the University of Waterloo. From 1963 until his retirement in 1989, Basil taught in the School of Business and Economics at Waterloo Lutheran University, later Wilfrid Laurier University. While at WLU, Basil served in various leadership roles including Vice President, Academic, Director of the MBA program and Director of the Bachelor of Business Administration Program.
He was an avid model railroader and private pilot and a member of the Waterloo-Wellington Flying Club for many years. He was a long time member of St. Agnes parish. Basil loved and valued his family above all else and was deeply loved in return. He will be forever missed.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mary Jackson and the entire nursing staff of the 6th Floor of St. Mary’s General Hospital for their care as Basil fought his chronic illness and for their compassion in his last days.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Waterloo on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a private family interment. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Respiratory Care Fund of St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation, Kitchener, Ontario, would be appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences can be arranged by contacting the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.
Laurier saddened by the loss of former chief librarian Erich Schultz
Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing
Jun 29/10
Wilfrid Laurier University is saddened by the loss of Pastor Erich Schultz, the university’s former librarian for more than 30 years. Schultz was 80 years old.
Schultz passed away June 26 during the Eastern Synod Assembly, a biennial meeting of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada that founded Laurier. He was being honoured for his 50 years of service as the church’s archivist.
“Bishop Michael Pryse spoke about the wonderful partnership that the Eastern Synod enjoys with Laurier,” said David Pfrimmer, principal-dean of the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. “He went on describe how this partnership led the church archives to being housed at Laurier and how Erich played such an important role in this transition.”
Born in Rankin, Ontario, Schultz will be lovingly remembered by his aunt, Norma Geelhaar; cousins, Pauline (Clifford) McTaggart and Ruth Ann (Bob) Paetz; his godsons, David Paetz and Andrew Liddle; and their families.
In many ways, the church community was his extended family, said Pfrimmer. “Although it was sad, in a beautiful way he died with people he loved and who very much loved him.”
Schultz received his BA from Waterloo College in 1951, his BD from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary in 1957, his MTh from the University of Toronto (Knox College) in 1958 and his BLS from the University of Toronto in 1959. From 1954-1956 he was a minister at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ellice Township. He was the librarian at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary from 1959-1960, and was the university’s librarian and archivist from 1960 until his retirement in 1991.
In September 1995, the Erich Schultz Collections Endowment Fund was established to commemorate Schultz’s successful career as Laurier’s first librarian. Schultz gave generously to the fund, helping it surpass $100,000. His donations helped to enhance the library’s permanent collection.
In addition to supporting the Erich Schultz Collections Endowment, Schultz set up the Erich R.W. Schultz Music Award endowment fund to encourage and support outstanding Laurier music students studying keyboard or stringed instruments.
A memorial service for Schultz will be held Wednesday, June 30 at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 22 Willow St., Waterloo.
Donations in memory of Schultz may be made to the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary or the Heart & Stroke Foundation and can be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S. in Waterloo. Visit www.erbgood.com.
Those who wish to donate to the Erich Schultz Collections or the Erich R.W. Schultz Music Award endowment funds may do so by visiting www.wlu.ca/giving.
Laurier mourns the passing of former history professor Welf Heick
Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing
Jun 25/10
The Wilfrid Laurier University community is saddened by the passing of Welf Heick, former professor of history. Heick died June 21 after a long struggle with Huntington Disease.
Heick joined Laurier in 1961. He was chairman of the Department of History and the Convocation Committee, and had the honour of being a convocation marshal for 25 years.
During his career he wrote several publications, including his last book Propensity to Protect, which he spoke about on the television program Canada AM. He retired from Laurier in 1993 and remained a professor emeritus.
Heick and his wife Margaret Schlote had four daughters: Kathy, Lisa, Heather and Jennifer; and three grandchildren: Jim, Christy and Carolyn.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 29 starting at 11 a.m. at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 29 Westmount Rd. S. in Waterloo. There will be no visitation but Heick’s family welcomes friends before the service at 10:15 a.m. Donations to the Huntington Society of Canada may be arranged through the funeral home.
Dr. Michael Krech, September 27, 1937 – April 26, 2010
Dr. Michael Krech, retired professor of chemistry at Laurier, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2010. Michael was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Barbara (nee Ewasyke) in 2006. He is survived by his children, Lori (Martin) Berg and Michael Krech, and grandchildren, Emma Krech, Katie Berg and Alex Berg.
Michael taught in Laurier’s chemistry department full time from 1966 to 2003 and part-time from 2003 to 2006. Michael was a retired Lieutenant of the Royal Canadian Reserve.
A funeral service took place on May 1. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Lung Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario can be arranged by contacting www.erbgood.com. To view Michael’s obituary in The Record, please click here.
Please view the Retirees Association Newsletters “Passages: In Memoriam” section for In Memoriam posts.