JOHN VAN SETERS

May 2, 1935 - April 9, 2025 John Van Seters died peacefully, in Waterloo, Ontario, just shy of his 90th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth; his daughter, Deborah (Adam); and his grandson, Hugh. Also surviving is his brother, Richard (Judi). He was predeceased by his parents, Hugo and Anna; his brothers, Hugo, Art, and Fred; his sister, Phil; and his son, Peter. John was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and grew up in Toronto. He did his undergraduate degree in Near Eastern Studies at the University of Toronto and his graduate studies in Near Eastern Studies at Yale University. He also received a theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He was a renowned scholar of Old Testament Biblical History and of the Ancient Near East and held a number of academic appointments over the years in Canada and the US, including in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Toronto (1970-77) and in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (1977-2000). The author of numerous monographs and articles, John was awarded the degree of Doctor of Theology h.c. from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1999, and he retired from UNC in 2000 as Distinguished University Professor of Humanities (emeritus). John's love of scholarship was profound, as was his commitment to teaching and his students, and to the broader international academic community of which he was a part. He travelled enthusiastically in relation to his work, and on the biggest adventures he was accompanied by his beloved partner in life, Elizabeth (and some of the time by his children) for extended stays in the Middle East, the UK, and Europe. Beyond the world of academe, John was a highly skilled handyman; he and Elizabeth completed numerous ambitious home and garden projects over the years, and even built a cottage together in Halliburton. He loved talking politics, singing (in his beautiful baritone), hiking and walking (with his long, loping stride), and poring over thousand-piece puzzles with Elizabeth. A dear husband, father, and grandfather, he will be greatly missed. The family offers heartfelt thanks to staff at the Sunshine Centre at Luther Village in Waterloo for their wonderful care of John, especially during the past year on the 2nd floor. Many thanks also to staff at the Hospice of Waterloo Region Cook Family Residence for their compassionate care in John's final days. At John's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice of Waterloo Region or Habitat for Humanity.