John Laurier Van Esterik, a retired 91亚色 social science and anthropology professor, passed away under the compassionate care of Hospice Wellington on June 29, after a long battle with cancer.

Born and raised in Toronto, Van Esterik earned both his bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees close to home at the University of Toronto before spending two years volunteering with Cuso International in Thailand and then completing his PhD 鈥� with a focus on lay meditation in Thai Theravada Buddhism 鈥� at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Van Esterik taught anthropology and social science courses at various schools in Thailand, the U.S. and Canada. At 91亚色 U, he taught a survey course on Southeast Asia for more than 20 years, until his retirement in 2008. His academic research focused on Thai Buddhist practice and Lao refugees in North America. He published articles on refugee issues, Theravada Buddhism, and gender and development in Thailand.

鈥淛ohn and I worked together on several initiatives, including the resettlement of refugees from Southeast Asia, and a CIDA project linking 91亚色 with several Thai Universities to develop gender and women鈥檚 studies," said Penny, his wife of over 57 years, who retired as a professor from 91亚色's Department if Anthropology in 2014. "We briefly offered Thai language training at 91亚色 as well.鈥�

After his retirement, in 2018, Van Esterik and his wife funded a graduate scholarship for research on Southeast Asia through the 91亚色 Centre for Asian Research (YCAR). The Penny and John Van Esterik Award for Graduate Research on Southeast Asia is offered annually to support doctoral students carrying out historical, cultural or artistic projects in the region.

鈥淲e wanted to give something back to the 91亚色 community in appreciation for all the support we got over the years, particularly from the departments of anthropology and social science," said the late professor in 2018. "We also wanted to acknowledge all the wonderful scholars we met through the 91亚色 Centre for Asian Research and contribute to their efforts in creating a vibrant research community.鈥�

Beyond his academic career and volunteer work, Van Esterik was passionate about music. He played the cornet, trumpet and alto horn in a number of brass bands 鈥� first, in the Metropolitan Junior and Senior Brass Bands; then in the Weston Silver Band; and more recently, in the New Horizons band in Guelph, Ont. Always on time and in tune, he knew how to blend harmoniously with others and adjust to different musical styles. To support his fellow musicians for years to come, he created an award for bandsman of the year in the Weston Silver Band.

Friends will remember Van Esterik's generosity, love of learning, quiet feminism and devotion to the music of Tuba Skinny.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks for memorial contributions to be made to to the or .

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Arthur Forer, a professor emeritus in 91亚色's Department of Biology, who specialized in molecular research, passed away on June 6.

Forer joined the Department of Biology in 1972, after time spent at several prestigious post-secondary institutions such as the Carlsberg Foundation Biological Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark; the University of Cambridge in England; Duke University in North Carolina; and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He completed his PhD at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire under the supervision of Shinya Inoue, a pioneer in microscopy and cell imaging. 

Forer spent his career studying how chromosomes move during cell division, and was one of the first cell biologists to use ultraviolet micro-irradiation techniques in that pursuit. His work in the field was something he looked to advance even until recently. 鈥淔orer continued doing research in his lab until he passed away," said Robert Tsushima, Chair of the Department of Biology. "In fact, he was excited about renewing his NSERC [Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council] grant later this year and mentoring a cohort of new scientists.鈥�

His passion for his work, and teaching, was something readily felt by others. 鈥淎rt was a wonderful supervisor and brilliant microscopist," said Professor Paula Wilson, a former doctoral student of Forer's. "What he most enjoyed was working with living cells at the microscope and 鈥榯alking science.鈥� It was a privilege to be in his lab.鈥�

Forer was also a strong advocate of social justice. He attended Martin Luther King鈥檚 famous 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥� speech in Washington, D.C., championed civil rights and equality, stressed the importance of protecting the environment, and advocated for equality and equity women in science. He spent more than five decades supervising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, almost all of whom were women.

In recognition of his work, he was inducted as a member of the American Society for Cell Biology and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Beyond academics, Forer loved hiking with his longtime friend Professor Emeritus Ronald Pearlman and was an avid cyclist who routinely biked 鈥� into the 89th year of his life. He was also a dedicated musician involved with many musical groups.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a musical charity.

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Robert E. Simmons, a former 91亚色 professor and Chair of the English department, passed away on May 19 at the age of 87.

Simmons joined 91亚色 U in 1966 as a professor of English at the then newly formed Glendon College. He did so after obtaining his master's of philosophy degree from the University of Toronto, an experience that included classes with renowned philosopher Marshall McLuhan and literary critic Northrop Frye, which intensified his lifelong love of literature, learning and writing.

During his time at 91亚色 U 鈥� where he remained until his retirement in 2000 鈥� Simmons taught English literature, linguistics and creative writing. He also co-authored the linguistics textbook The Language of Literature and the geography textbook Urban Canada.

Being a longtime fan of William Blake 鈥� whose poetry and vision of the human condition deeply affected Simmons and influenced his own writing and creative work 鈥� led Simmons to publish a book of literary criticism called A New Interpretation of Blake's Minor Prophecies.

Even after his time in academia, Simmons continued to pursue teaching and literature, offering weekly creative writing classes at his local library in Chesley, Ont., and editing local authors鈥� works.

A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 13 in Guelph, Ont., at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home's Dublin Chapel. All are welcome to attend. RSVP to Barb Simmons at 

Donations in the late professor's memory can be made to .

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Natasa Bajin, a retired School of Kinesiology & Health Science faculty member and 91亚色 gymnastics coach, passed away on May 13.

A Serbian-Yugoslavian gymnast, Bajin came to 91亚色 in the early 1970s as one of the world鈥檚 best in her field, with an illustrious career that included 13 first-place finishes as the national senior champion of the country formerly known as Yugoslavia, and 14 championships in the province of Serbia. Between 1965 and 1974, she also she competed in two Olympic Games, three world championships and four European championships.

At 91亚色, Bajin began serving as the head women's gymnastics coach in 1974 and remained in the role for nearly 20 years. During her tenure, the team she coached enjoyed great success, earning 12 Ontario Women's Interuniversity Athletic Association gold medals and four Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union national champions. In recognition of her accomplishment, she would go on to be inducted into 91亚色鈥檚 Sport Hall of Fame in 2001. She was also a tenured faculty member who taught fitness and gymnastics in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science.

Bajin's influence spread beyond 91亚色 as well, as she was involved in Gymnastics Ontario as a judge at the highest level of qualification, and she spent many days visiting schools to assist teachers in running after-school gymnastics programs. 

Over the course of her 50-year career, she trained thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to teach gymnastics themselves in schools across Ontario 鈥� in the process, ensuring Bajin鈥檚 influence will continue to resonate in a field she so excelled in.

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