Donald Peter KERR

DONALD PETER KERR (APRIL 19, 1920 AUGUST 11, 2008) PROFESSOR EMERITUS (GEOGRAPHY) UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO Uncle Don passed peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2008, aged 88, at Briton House, Toronto, surrounded by his loving family, friends and caregivers. Don was predeceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Ruth (1999) and brother Aubrey Kerr (2008, aged 92). Don was a gentleman and scholar. He was admired for his sense of fun, enjoyment of good company, and interest in a multitude of issues. Don leaves nephews Dr. Ernie (Louise), Robert (Angie), grandnephews Mathew (Autumn Peer, fiancée) and Stewart (Tonia) and grandnieces Jennifer and Amy. He leaves dear friends Eleonore Turner and Franz Neuert, many cherished geography colleagues and ballroom dancing friends. Born in Toronto to Sam and Vida Kerr, he was one of the first babies delivered at Women's College Hospital. After Don graduated from Oakwood Collegiate, the Kerr family moved to Vancouver in 1937, driving to their new home through the US and Canada, sparking Don's lifelong appreciation and love of the earth. He earned a BA (Geography) from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1941 and completed his MA at the University of Toronto (U of T) in 1942. He then joined the meteorological service and was stationed in the Queen Charlotte Islands, Tofino and Comox during the Second World War. He married Ruth Higgins in July 1945 and continued his geography studies at the University of California (Berkeley) that fall. Griffith Taylor (renowned Antarctic explorer, geographer and head of the U of T Dept. of Geography) invited Don to complete his doctoral studies and the couple returned to Toronto in 1946. He earned his PhD. in 1950 and became a lecturer in the Dept. of Geography. He returned to UBC briefly in the late 1950s, hoping Vancouver would relieve Ruth's bi-polar disorder, but soon returned to Toronto and his beloved U of T where he remained until retirement. He was chairman of the Department of Geography from 1968-72 and Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies (1978). From 1948 on, Don and his friend and colleague, Jacob Spelt, coauthored numerous articles on climate and urban studies, including the impact of St. Lawrence shipping on the Port of Toronto. He authored several books and papers on Canadian geography, culminating with one of his most gratifying moments as co-editor of the Historical Atlas of Canada (Volume III, 1990). In 1959 Don was invited to join international scientists at the 5th Pugwash conference on biological and chemical warfare, presenting his climatological perspective. Don was also president of the Canadian Association of Geographers (1960) and member of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (gold medal, 1984). For over 50 years, Don was an avid golfer at the Thornhill Golf and Country Club until a rotator cuff injury steered his sense of rhythm to the dance floor where he waltzed and tangoed with enthusiasm. He also voyaged, conquering Machu Picchu, the wonders of the Galapagos, but most importantly, Crossgar, Ireland, where the Kerr family originated. He searched for faith and was guided spiritually to acceptance and peace with his illness by Rev. Karen Hamilton. He wished to thank his caregivers at Briton House for their kindness and warm support. He loved his life, every minute of his work, his family and many friends. A private service was held at Morley Bedford on August 21, 2008. A celebration of Don's life will be held later in the fall, organized by the family and Department of Geography.