R. Gwilym ROBERTS

R. GWILYM, PhD Gwilym passed away peacefully with his family by his side on September 17, 2011, at the age of 77. The loving husband for 52 years to Ann (nee Willingham) and caring father to Linden (Peter McDonough) and Owen (Krista Derksen). His laughter will be sorely missed by his grandchildren Morgan, Jacob and Caden, sister Cambria and brother Brinley and their families. Born in 1934 in Newport, Wales, Gwilym was educated at Newport High School and Christ's College, Cambridge where he excelled as a sprinter for both the university athletic team and later the Amateur Athletic Association. Following the completion of his bachelor studies at Cambridge, Gwilym worked for three years as an exploration geologist for Anglo-American Corp in the Central African Federation (now Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia). From this adventure he returned with his greatest discovery, a young bride whom in 1960 he convinced to emigrate with him to Canada, where he completed his PhD degree at McGill University. Gwilym's teaching career started during his two years of National Service in the British Army when he was tasked with leading enlisted soldiers in the Outward Bound program. Gwilym's teaching and research career continued when he joined the faculty of earth sciences at the University of Waterloo in the fall of 1967. Gwilym introduced many young geologists to mapping skills in Northern Ontario, where he would quietly track his student before appearing suddenly out of the bush much to their surprise. After retiring from academia in 1996, Gwilym continued to work as a consultant geologist for a number of years before discovering that the rocks and earth in his own gardens were of even greater interest and enjoyment to him. Gwilym also grew to appreciate the arts and became a regular enthusiast of the local art galleries and symphony. You are invited to attend a Celebration of Gwilym's Life at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, 25 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, ON, N2L 2Y5 from 2-4 pm on October 2, 2011. In lieu of flowers a donation to The Clay and Glass Gallery can be made at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery or through www.CanadaHelps.org. ROBERTS