Peacefully, at home in the arms of his wife. Ken passed away on December 13, 2012 just four days before his 75th birthday. Predeceased by his parents, Frank G. Hatt (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Nancy Donaldson (Enid, Oklahoma) and his sister Eva Anderson. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Susan; his children, Kierstin (Brian Small), Erin Christie (Dean Snell) and Bill Christie (Anika Kelloway); grandchildren, Caius, Jackson, Rowan, Arden, Danae and Eva Mae; his twin sister, Roberta McDonald, and brothers, George (Donna) and Dave (Teal); as well as nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and thousands of ex-students all over the world.
Ken was born in Terrell, Texas and lived his early years there before moving to Douglas, Arizona for junior high and highschool. Ken was an active member of the Douglas Highschool class of ’56 where he participated in Glee Club, Hi-Y, student council and the Bulldog school newspaper and yearbook. His classmates knew him as a leader both in school and in the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Ken sang harmony in his highschool barbershop quartet which won the Arizona State Championship the year they competed.
He completed his undergraduate degree at Redlands College in California, attended Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California, completed a Masters degree at California State University, and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Alberta. While a graduate student, he worked full time in the California State prison system and later worked to rehabilitate gang members on the east side of Los Angeles. After teaching briefly at Eastern Oregon College, he entered the faculty of Carleton University in Ottawa in 1970, where he taught Sociology until 1995. While at Carleton, he founded the first undergraduate criminology programme in Canada. He insisted that all students must complete a term of practical experience in a criminal or social justice agency. The programme continues to this day.
In 1995, Ken and Susan moved to Victoria where Ken joined the Department of Sociology at the University of Victoria as an adjunct professor. He taught mostly large undergraduate courses until 2006 when he turned to students doing graduate work. At this time, his academic work concentrated on food, specifically trade liberalization, food governance and the impact of trade liberalization on the ability of peoples around the world to grow their own food. This work became the foundation of a graduate course at the University of Catalonia (Barcelona) which he taught for two years. He completed the second revision of his text book and saw his most recent scholarly article published just weeks before he died.
Ken was an intellectual and an academic fuelled by a strong sense of justice, a well-developed sense of humour and a heart as big as the universe. He was always completely accessible to his family, his many friends and his students. He also wrote poetry, played the ukelele and loved many things: running, soccer, biking, baseball, the Arizona desert, growing organic vegetables, everything Italian (including travel to Italy), good coffee, good wine, good music (who could forget Kenny Bongo?), Monty Python, elephants and chickens to name only a few. His passing will leave a huge hole in the lives of many.
Special thanks to Dr. Jane Papp, Dr. Christine Jones and the Victoria Hospice Palliative Response Team. Donations in Ken’s honour may be made to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or a charity of your choice.
Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, December 21, 2012 at McCall’s Downtown, Johnson & Vancouver Streets with a reception to follow. Interment at Ross Bay Cemetery. Condolences may be offered below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
39 Responses
I am sadly only learning of this now. I was fortunate to meet Ken in early 2012 after I completed my MSc in Rural Sociology at the University of Alberta and moved to Victoria. We met for coffee after he read my thesis and found us of similar mind. He was one of the most inspiring people I have met anywhere, and it was clear that he truly loved his work, and maintained a passion for it. It was a privilege to have met him.
When I was in graduate school, Ken helped me understand how strength can be gentle. I have held that to heart ever since.
Ken was awesome. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to meet him. My heart goes out to his close family and friends
Ken and I were graduate students together at the University of Alberta.
We kept in contact over the years, and while we did not see each other very often, remained good friends. These messages of condolence confirm what I always knew, namely, that the world would be a far better place with many more Ken Hatts in it. He was as fine a human being as I have ever known, and I will miss him.
To my dear friend Susan and her family, My heart goes out to you at this sad time. I wish I had known Ken longer. He was an amazing man. Here’s to a life well-lived. Love, Janet
What a wonderful obituary. I would have loved to have known Ken better. He was such an interesting man. It must be a difficult time for you this holiday. I’m glad you are trying to do at least one pleasant activity a day and spending time with family and friends. We’re thinking about you here. Take care and best wishes. Marion
It was a shock when I read about Ken’s death in the Ottawa Citizen. We were colleagues in the Sociology department at Carleton for quite a few years. While our disciplinary interests didn’t overlap much, I remember Ken as a good colleague, someone you could rely on. His hard work on behalf of the criminology program will be an everlasting testimony to his dedication.
My wife, Gerda, and I fondly remember a visit to Ken and Susan many years ago when we were staying in Victoria. We also regret not having been in contact when we were again in Victoria last September.
Our condolences and best wishes to Susan.
Farewell, old friend!
John and Gerda de Vries
I was so sorry to hear of Ken’s death. I had the privilege of working with him for many years at Carleton and he was a wonderful colleague. He had a kind and gentle nature – always positive and helpful, and he was dedicated to his students and to his field. Ken was instrumental in the development and growth of the Criminology program at Carleton and it remains today one of its most popular programs. He was very much missed when he left Carleton for the west coast.
My condolences to Susan and Ken`s family,
Ron Saunders
Susan and family our hearts are with you at this time. We are saddened by Ken’s departure from our lives. We feel like we missed out on really spending time with you and Ken. The caliber of person he was is very rare in our lives. We will miss you all in the desert so very much. We hope the light of love shines on you for all of the days to come. With love to you.
Larry and Sandi Johnson and family
Susan, I am so sorry to learn that Ken has passed away. Please accept my condolences and sincere regret I wasn’t around more.
MaryAnn