In Memoriam

Remembering Queen's alumni.

Those Who Have Passed

Sharing memories of friends, faculty, and colleagues - In Memoriam helps you honour those who have recently passed.

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  • Robert Swartman before he passed away.

    1950s

    Robert Kerr Swartman

    鈥 BSc鈥53, MSc'60

    Spring 2023

    Robert Kerr Swartman passed away on Oct. 8, 2022. He was predeceased by his wife, Laura, and son, Jim. He is lovingly remembered by his children, Christine Cavers (John Harper), Tom Swartman (Hanne), Barbara Ridgewell (Tony Parker), Peter Swartman (Patty); and daughter-in-law, Jan Webb-Swartman. He will also be missed by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

    Bob was born in Toronto in 1930 and grew up in Parry Sound. He attended Royal Roads Military College, Royal Military College and Queen鈥檚, obtaining degrees in mechanical engineering. After graduating, he joined the RCAF. Newly married to Laura, Bob was posted to a new airfield in Germany. After three years and three children, Bob and Laura returned to Canada. 

    He resigned from the RCAF to become an engineering lecturer at RMC in Kingston. In 1964 Bob, Laura and five children moved to London, and Bob joined the engineering department at University of Western Ontario as a professor, where he conducted research into thermal applications for solar energy. In 1982 Bob left Western to work full-time at Solcan, a company he had incorporated to commercialize products that utilize the sun. He was a pioneer in the industry, and Solcan installed the first solar hot water system and first photovoltaic system in London. Hundreds of systems were installed across Canada over the next decades.

    Bob was active in the Engineering Institute of Canada, ASHRAE, and the Solar Energy Division of ASME. He was always passionate about our planet. He felt strongly that the earth is in peril, and that we as a society must stop using fossil fuels. He was an active member at First St. Andrews United Church, participating on many committees. Bob had a great love for Georgian Bay. He, Laura and the family enjoyed camping and boating up there for many years. He also loved the winter, as he enjoyed skiing. He continued skiing well into his 80s! Travelling was another interest of his. He loved to visit countries around the world to experience the food and culture. He enjoyed making connections with people and always took time to hear their stories. He will be greatly missed by family, many friends: the Coffee Codgers, the Friday Happy Hour Guys, the Ski Bus and the UWO Williams lunch group. 

  • Judith Prior before she passed away.

    1960s

    Judith Anne Rodgers Prior

    鈥 BA鈥61

    Spring 2023

    Judith Anne Rodgers Prior passed away on Dec. 29, 2022, at home in St. John's, Newfoundland, with her eldest daughter Susan at her side. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, educator, and gifted dancer, choreographer and writer. She is survived by her brothers, Richard (Margaret) and Tim (Barbara); her children, Susan (Peter), Nancy (Len) and Jenny (Dave); and her grandchildren, Jed and Chloe. Judith was predeceased by her beloved husband, Murray (1936-2002). 

    Judith was the eldest of three children of Leonard and Shirley Rodgers of Renfrew, Ont. Her early years were spent in Renfrew, where she excelled at ballet, Scottish highland dance and other artistic pursuits. Judith later graduated from Queen's, where she met Murray. They married in April of 1962 and lived in St. Catharines, Ont. 

    Judith was a much-admired and inspirational secondary school teacher and educator in Ontario's gifted program. She spent many years teaching English and drama and directing musical productions at Denis Morris Catholic High School. 

    After moving to St. John's, Newfoundland in 2006 to spend time with Susan and her family, Judith inspired others with her creativity and her love of dance as co-director of the CFUW's Women on Tap. 

  • 1950s

    Ronald Pettit

    鈥 BSc'57

    Spring 2023

    Ronald Holland Pettit passed away on Jan. 19, 2023. He was 91. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Joanne (nee Holmes); his children, Richard (Lois), Catherine (Ross) and Marnie (Suzie); and deeply missed by his grandchildren, Colin (Sarah), Ian, and Julie. He was predeceased by his dear parents, Cecil and Greeta Pettit, of Toronto, where he grew up.

    Ron graduated from Queen鈥檚 in 1957 and devoted his career to Inco as a mining engineer until his retirement. He was very entertaining and with his beautiful voice contributed to various singing and performing groups over the years. Ron also did a great deal of generous volunteer work within the community, including 鈥淥ut of the Cold鈥 dinners (Ron was famous for his soups) and Meals on Wheels deliveries. He still found time to be an avid tennis player up until the pandemic and to pursue a passion for gardening. Most of all, he relished spring to fall days spent with family and friends at the beautiful Pettit Summer Camp on the French River.

  • 2020s

    Katrina Latawiec

    鈥 BCom'20, BA'20

    Spring 2023

    Katrina Latawiec passed away suddenly on Jan. 8, 2023. She was 27. She will be mourned by all who knew her, but especially by her parents, Adam Latawiec and Vivian Mills, and her sister, Veronika.

    Katrina was born on Feb. 23 to Adam and Vivian in Toronto. She graduated from Etobicoke School of the Arts, but decided that her passion lay in business and data analysis. She enrolled in Smith School of Business, and went on to obtain her BCom and BA in Computing, during which time she participated in many CASEiT competitions and research projects. She was working as a management consultant at Oliver Wyman when tragedy struck. Katrina will be remembered by all who knew her for her diligent and focused work, her quick mind and charm, and her genuine beauty.

  • 1960s

    David Hinson Hill

    鈥 BA鈥62, LLB鈥65

    Spring 2023

    The family are sad to report that David Hinson Hill, C.M., Q.C., one of the co-founders of the prestigious law firm of Perley Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP, passed away on Nov. 18, 2022. He was 82.

    The son of the late Dr. Hinson and Gertrude (nee Bathgate) Hill, David leaves his wife, Carolyn Elizabeth Hill; his son, Michael David Hill; his two step-children, Sheryl Louise Teasell (Scott) and Trevor Charles Beck (Bobbi); and five step grandchildren, Philip Teasell, Rebecca Teasell, Elizabeth Teasell, Spencer Beck and Brandon Beck.

    Born Nov. 27, 1939, at what was then the Ottawa Civic Hospital, David has been a lifelong resident of Ottawa. He graduated from Queen鈥檚 with an undergraduate History Bachelor of Arts Honours degree, as well as a degree in law. 

    He was a founding partner of Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP and helped build the firm from the four original partners to become a major regional law firm with over 60 lawyers and a practice that is international and national in scope. David was known for excellence in the practice of law and a deep commitment to his clients. He lectured extensively and was a published author. He was a strong believer in professional integrity and ethics and brought to his practice a personal empathy and compassion for his clients.

    A Member of the Order of Canada and a Queen鈥檚 Counsel, David was involved in a large number of volunteer activities, holding directorships and officer positions at all levels 鈥 national, provincial and local 鈥 particularly in fields of health, law enforcement, education and politics.

    David was the recipient of multiple honours, including: the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Golden Jubilee Medals; 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada Medal; Canada Volunteer Award Certificate of Merit; Ottawa United Way Community Builder Award; Gordon F. Henderson Award of the County of Carleton Law Association; and many others. He was an Honourary Life Member of the Canadian Cancer Society and of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

    David will be missed greatly by his friends, family, and former colleagues.

  • Mary Doyle before she passed away.

    1980s

    Mary R. Doyle

    鈥 BA'84

    Spring 2023

    Mary Rose Doyle, (nee Powell) passed away on Sept. 3, 2022. She was predeceased by her son, John; sister, Bridie; and brother, Paddy. A dearly loved wife, mother, and grandmother, she will be sadly missed by her loving husband Des (Arts'69); sons, Desmond (Artsci84, Ed鈥89) (Cathy), Christian (Artsci'85) (Kim), Noel, and daughter Rosemary; grandchildren, Thomas, Patrick, Jacqueline, Caroline, Amethyst, Maccleson, and Pressman Crowe; sister, Dolly; sister-in-law, Lorna; and extended family and friends.