Dr. Bob Kennedy
It is with sadness I want to inform our Faculty community of the passing of Dr. Robert (Bob) Kennedy, UBC alumnus, professor, and former Dean of the Faculty. He passed peacefully at age 87 in the early hours of June 17, 2019, surrounded by family.
Dr. Kennedy was a wood scientist who combined a university career and research in forest products and wood behaviour for industry. His association with the UBC Faculty of Forestry began following his graduation from the State University of New York, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1953. While at UBC, he was awarded the degree of Master of Forestry in 1955 and served as an instructor between 1955 – 1961.
After completing a PhD at Yale University (1962), Professor Kennedy was with the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto from 1962 until 1966, when he returned to BC to join the federal government’s Western Forest Products Laboratory (now FPInnovations), on the UBC campus, serving as director from 1975 to 1979. As the Laboratory Director, he was primarily responsible for technology transfer and client relationships. Several laboratory developments were translated to industrial use and client relations maintained through a series of industrial advisory committees.
Dr. Kennedy returned to UBC Forestry in 1979 and taught wood anatomy and properties, wood chemistry, timber mechanics and microtechnique. He served as Dean of the Faculty from 1983 until his retirement in 1991.
In 1971, Professor Kennedy was named a fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science. He was active in a wide range of national and international professional and forest-industry organizations, including the Forest Products Research Society, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, the Canadian Forestry Association and the Canadian Institute of Forestry. Until his appointment as Dean of Forestry in 1983, he was one of only two members of the Faculty of Forestry who served on the UBC Senate. Dr. Kennedy also served as Vice-Chairman of the BC Forest Resources Commission and as President of the International Academy of Wood Science.
After his retirement, he remained connected with the Faculty as Dean Emeritus, part of the Dean’s Circle as an informal advisor to the Faculty, mentor to graduate students and a philanthropist, supporting students through the Robert and Averil Kennedy Forestry Graduate Scholarship. Along with his three children and three grandchildren, he is survived by his wife, Averil who was also active in the UBC community. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Kennedy’s wish was that donations be made to the Scholarship in his name. Please contact Emma Tully for more details.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Friday June 28th at Immaculate Conception Church, 3778 W 28th Ave and Dunbar St.
Photo by Banham, J. (1980, June 30), courtesy of UBC Library Archives