JOHN MILLS

John Aitken Mills John passed away peacefully on March 14th, 2012 in St. Joseph's Hospital, Comox, BC with his wife and children by his side. John's life was distinguished by significant passages, both geographic and academic, as well as intellectual drive, vigorous outdoor activities, an interest in the history of everything, and an appreciation for a story well told. At the time of his passing John was reading Soul of the Age: a biography of the Mind of William Shakespeare, and also Guy Vanderhaeghe's A Good Man. He was born June 4, 1931 in Manuden, Essex, UK and emigrated to South Africa in 1946. He received a B.Sc. and M. Sc. in Geology from Cape Town University, worked as a geologist in West Africa and even owned a tin mine for a while. In 1958 he returned to UCT and received a B. A. and Ph. D. in Psychology. During this period, he married Ann, and they formed a life-long bond made stronger by mutual passion for culture and gastronomy. They also shared a commitment to social justice, exemplified by active participation in resistance to the apartheid system. In 1966, John and his family moved to Saskatoon where he became a lively member of the faculty at the University of Saskatchewan. He played a decisive role in creating the Linguistics Program at the U of S and was its first Chair from 1970 to 1975. He served on the executive of the Faculty Association and, in 1988, co-ordinated the faculty strike. A founder member of the International Society for Theoretical Psychology, John collaborated with a global network of colleagues. He helped to create and served on the Editorial Board of the journal Theory and Psychology, was a founding member of the Western Canadian Theoretical Psychologists, and a prominent member of Cheiron (an international society devoted to historical psychology). In 1998 he retired from teaching at the U of S but continued his research and writing as a Professor Emeritus of Psychology and with an adjunct professorship at the University of Calgary. New York University Press published his book, Control: A History of Behavioral Psychology, in 1998. As a history of behavioral psychology, ... the book is excellent, according to the American Journal of Psychology. John was also involved in communities beyond academia. He was a founder of the City Park Neighbourhood Association and a founder of the Saskatoon Open School. His sense of humour, intellectual passion and broad interests put him at the heart of many vibrant social circles in Saskatoon and beyond. In 1999, John and Ann relocated to their cottage at Hornby Island, BC. where they had brought their family including their beloved dogs since 1970. On Hornby he continued an impressive academic output and was involved with Conservancy Hornby Island. John is survived by his wife of 49 years, the artist Ann Newdigate, his son Julian, Julian's spouse Julie Dorsch and granddaugther Gabrielle Mills, his daughter Josephine and Josie's spouse, Leila Armstrong.