LYNN ALEXANDER KEELING WATT

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LYNN ALEXANDER KEELING WATT October 25, 1924 - July 7, 2010 Lynn was predeceased by his beloved first wife, Pauline Einarson after 48 years of marriage, survived by his four children, Martha, Laura, Paula Lynn and Graham, as well as his wife Ainslie and his extended family of Geoffrey and Julia, and 15 grandchildren. His family will miss Lynn so very much: Martha Watt and Michael Gareau, Leah, Lucas and Rebecca; Laura and Ken Nyback, Scot and Douglas; Paula Watt and Brian Sweeney, Andrea, Lindsay and Nickey; Graham and Denise Watt, Jacqueline, Sarah and Alex; Geoff and Siobhan Hector, Abby, Molly and Hannah; Julia and Jeff Douglas, and Carter. Lynn grew up in Winnipeg, and was active in debate, student politics and athletics while attending high school and the University of Manitoba, studying math and physics; then on to study for his Masters at the University of Chicago. During this time he and Pauline were married and started the family, and Lynn did intermittent teaching at U Manitoba, before coming to Ontario to work at Chalk River for Atomic Energy of Canada for three years. He then accepted a fellowship in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota to work on his PhD for four years, hence on to the University of Washington in the Electrical Engineering Department in Seattle, where he remained for seven years. In 1966, Lynn accepted a post at the University of Waterloo in the Electrical Engineering Department as a full Professor. He served three terms as Dean of Graduate Studies, and other areas of administration. His role on the Executive Council of the University was most important because of his wide knowledge and understanding of the broader university and research scene in Canada, and his well reasoned opinions and input on important major decisions was highly respected and always influential. He was a true and steady rudder for the development of the University of Waterloo for many, many years. He played a significant role in the Council of Ontario Universities, the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies working on planning and defining protocol for funding for research intensive universities both Provincially and latterly Federally, living in Toronto for some of this time. He was awarded a Doctorate in Engineering from Carleton University to honour this contribution. He then returned to U Waterloo for teaching and administrative duties, and also became the coordinator/secretary of The Group of Ten, the Federal outcome of bringing these research Universities together for purposes of streamlining funding at the government level. In 1990, Lynn retired from his professorship and was appointed to a position in the federal ministry of Industry and Technology with responsibility for developing a Cabinet Document proposing the establishment of a Network of Centers of Excellence in Engineering to complement the network already established for Science. He augmented this activity with consulting assignments based on his extensive experience in Graduate Studies research in universities across Canada. In 1990, Lynn was invited to participate in an exciting new project put forth by Mike Lazaridis, in Waterloo, a former student of Lynn's who had a dream beyond the RIM concept. This was the birth of The Perimeter Institute focused on the Study of Theoretical Physics. Lynn had the privilege of serving on the Board for the first 10 years and saw the Institute grow in size, stature and name. Perimeter served as his intellectual home as it expanded and welcomed researchers from around the world, working in collaboration exploring this vast area of science. There will be a memorial service and reception held for Lynn on Saturday, August 21 at 4:00 p.m. at The Perimeter Institute at 31 Caroline St. N. in Waterloo, when the family will be most happy to greet friends, associates and others. Please note there is construction at Perimeter currently so parking will involve some walking, and a detour left around the building from Caroline St. to gain access. To facilitate our preparations, please contact either Alexandra Castell at acastell@perimeter.ca, or LeeAnne Kane at lkane@perimeter.ca OR telephone Perimeter at 519-569-7600 to let us know of your attendance and numbers. This will be a great help. Thank you. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lynn's memory would be appreciated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or TV Ontario and can be arranged through the Erb Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 17, 2010