B.Eng. (Hons.), Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
January 2, 1937 – February 14, 2013
It is with great sadness that we announce that John passed away peacefully at Victoria, B.C. after a short illness.
As a young man John decided to pursue studies in electrical engineering. He attended Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), the Technical University of Nova Scotia and the University of Calgary respectively. After obtaining his Ph.D. he taught at Concordia University before moving back to Newfoundland to take the position of Professor of Engineering at MUN.
John was a person born with exceptional intelligence and he devoted his life to learning and to passing his knowledge to his successors. His distinguished career spanned more than 40 years and he became a leading expert in ground wave radar systems. He published many papers in this field and took great pleasure in mentoring and guiding his students to achieve honors in their own right. John enjoyed the challenge and adventure of research. His eyes were ever open for individuals who would join him in this pursuit. In this past year he announced that he needed a new challenge and was beginning research on cosmology.
Over the span of his career, John held the titles of Professor, Honorary Research Professor and Professor Emeritus of Engineering at MUN, Adjunct Professor of Engineering at the University of Victoria, Technical Director of the Remote Sensing Group at the Centre for Cold Ocean Resources Engineering (C-CORE), founding Chairman of Northern Radar Inc. (NRI) and Vice-President, Technical of NRI. NRI was a company formed out of C-CORE to commercialize the over the horizon ground wave radar system that resulted from John’s original research in electromagnetics. Today NRI successfully markets the system nationally and internationally.
Up to the time of his passing, John was active in guiding his projects and finalizing the publication of research. He was held in high regard by his colleagues and exhibited the highest integrity in his work.
It has been said: “For of those to whom much is given, much is required”. One could say that John truly fulfilled this expectation.
Further details about John’s professional accomplishments may be found by referring to MUN’s website: http://www.engr.mun.ca/people/jwalsh.php
We would like to thank Father Rolf Hasenack, Dr. Elisabeth Crisci, and the nurses, staff and volunteers of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their exceptional care and thoughtfulness towards John during his stay. In addition, we would like to thank Professor Eric Gill of MUN for interrupting his academic commitments to rush to Victoria to visit John and bring the kind words of support from John’s colleagues in Newfoundland and from others far and wide.
Memorial reception for Dr. John Walsh will be held on Monday, April 8, 2013 at 2:00 pm in R. Gushue Hall, Prince Philip Drive, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Memorial Tea will be held for Dr. John Walsh at the University Club, University of Victoria, on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Roy and Lisette
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Jack & Florence Head Evelyn, Owen, Andrea, John
We were very saddened to hear of John`s passing. Although we lost contact with you quite a few years ago, we often talk about the time the chldren spent with us, our thoughts are with you all at this time,
Jack & Florence Head (mommy Florence)
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Susan Walsh Whistler I was very sorry to hear of Uncle John’s passing. I am sure he will be remembered with love by his family and friends and with great respect by his colleagues. I am sorry I only had the chance to meet him once. Owen, I hope you remember meeting me at our cousin’s wedding and I’d love to be in touch if you’d like to drop me an email. My deepest condolences to you all.
Susan Walsh Whistler and family
(daughter of Vince)
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Keith Whiteway, P. Eng. Deepest condolences to John’s family and friends.
While a professor at MUN, John taught me several courses in the mid-70’s. John was a real gentleman and a great teacher. He gave very thorough notes! He was very approachable and well liked by all his students.
I’m sure he will be sadly missed by his family.
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Dan Stone John and I worked together for a short while inthe late 50s though we met infrequently over the years” I retained a high level of respect for John as a friend and as an admirer of his considerable acomplishments.My sincere condolences to all John”s family at this sorrowful time.
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Ron Delaney, B Eng, MD. They didn’t get us that night on Spring Garden & Robie, 1968.
You had way too much yet to accomplish. I was dispensable. Good thing we came as a package that night. Saved my life.
As you would say, Up The Republic.
Suspect I’ll see you shortly. We’ll have a good.belly laugh about it all.
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Pat Walsh To the Walsh family: My sincere condolences on John’s passing.
He and my dad, William John (Jack) were cousins. John and I exchanged information on our family tree. My prayers and thoughts are with you.Pat Walsh Mount Pearl, NL
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Alan Rich My condolences to all.
In the early 1970’s I was about 8 or 9 yrs old when Dr. Walsh moved into the house across the street from us on Cumberland Cresc. in St. John’s. I was curious why he was throwing rope and wires over the roof of the house. I think my parents told me that he was an amateur radio operator. About 12 years later I found myself taking his antennas and propagation course at MUN ! I remember his desk strewn with loose leaf sheets and sharpened pencils. I ended up studying computational electromagnetics and (years later) becoming a radio amateur also. Now I throw wires and ropes over the roof of my house and explain to the kids across the street what I am doing…..
Again, condolences to all,
Alan Rich
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Frank Davis P. Eng. So saddened to hear of John’s passing. I first met John in 1963 my first year at MUN….at that time John was a mature student relative to the rest if us. He was always the go to person for difficult physics and math problems. He was also a ham radio operator and I recall talking to him many times about antennas and low frequency signals. He always had some kind of solution to offer. He was well respected and certainly a great loss to engineering. My deepest condolences to the family.
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Jack Connors I was both surprised and saddened to learn of the death of your beloved husband and father, John Walsh. I grew up with in stones throw of John and was a friend of the family particularly Vince with whom I attended School.
May you find a measure of peace in your memories of John and of his numerous accomplishments as Professor of Engeneering.
May he Rest in Peace
Dear Evelyn and Family,
I will remember seeing John’s happy face in his new office, our thoughts are with you and your family at this time,
Roy&Lisette