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Robin MATHEWS Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Robin MATHEWS
19 Entries
Anne Webb
November 8, 2023
Dear Esther,
I also only heard recently that Robin passed away in the spring, from a mutual friend Errol Sharpe, who I understand came to visit in April. I send my sincere condolences. Since moving to Quebec and Nova Scotia I always hoped to be back in Vancouver to see you both. Robin was an inspiration since my early days of studying Canadian literature in the 80s while staying with you in Ottawa, to the dynamic discussions in the 2010s at your Vancouver home. Sending you my best wishes, Esther.
Anne (daughter of Pat Webb/Woodward and niece of Pam Room/Woodward)
Susan Heyes
September 14, 2023
To dear Esther and all the family,
I have just heard of Robin's passing, and offer my deepest condolences.
It was a privilege to have know him. I am grateful for the memories of our interesting, inspiring and often fiercely funny conversations. He was a brilliant, feisty, and often impeccably dressed gentleman, who championed many injustices. He was a truly great Canadian, and I cherish the time I spent with him.
Misao Dean
June 6, 2023
I've been out of the loop for a while with health issues, so I just saw this. Esther, I'm so sorry. He meant a lot to me. Mentor, inspiration, and goad. He was always kind and supportive, and a model I was proud to emulate in my own teaching. I will never forget him. Condolences Roz, Sabrina and Hrothgar.
Michael Ferras
May 24, 2023
I was very saddened to learn of Robin´s passing. I was a student of his at Carleton University in the early 80s while completing my Masters degree in Canadian Studies. I met one on one with Robin in his office on weekly basis. I will never forget our long discussions about Canada and the Canadian condition, family, politics and culture. Nor Robin´s high energy, passion and his sense of humour. I have never forgotten Robin or the kindness and friendship he offered me as a young eager student away from home, including dropping by his house for coffee. He was one of the special of people that we meet in our life that stay somewhere in your mind long afterwards. My sincere condolences to the family.
Erik Andersen
May 20, 2023
I was one of the lucky ones to have known Robin in the past few years. We shared a Powell River past ,only his was first. We also shared a profound passion for social and economic fairness that translated into actions that were not always popular with the establishment.
From myself and Catherine please accept our best wishes for all family members, especially Esther.
Robert Hughes
May 14, 2023
Dear Esther, Rosamond, Sabrina, Hrothgar and all the family,
Deepest condolences on the death of husband, father, and grandfather, Robin Mathews.
Robin was the first person to welcome us when we showed up in Ottawa in 1977. With a smile and a wave of his hand he welcomed us into his office. We had no idea at the time of the world that would open to us through his mentorship: his brilliant intellect and engagement in the arts and politics transformed our understandings. And he very soon became much more than our professor. Through frequent sojourns to the home that he and Esther made in the Glebe, and to their Quebec cottage, and their visits in turn to us in later years, our relationship deepened in warmth and intimacy. In short, Robin was our friend. We treasure all the moments that we have had with him, and on a bookshelf the stack of letters that he took the time to write to us. We mourn him, and yet his voice is present and will resonate in us for the rest of our lives.
with much love,
Robert Hughes
Ben Labovitch
May 10, 2023
To Esther and Family,
I'm so sorry to hear of Robin's passing. I offer you my deepest condolences.
Robin's dynamism was exceeded only by his accessibility. As you might remember, in 1977, I was fortunate to have had Robin as my advisor when I was working on a directed study of poet A.M. Klein. One wintry night I had written myself into a corner. From the payphone at the R and R restaurant just north of Lansdowne Park, I called Robin. He said that he lived nearby, on Fourth Avenue, and he insisted that I immediately come over.
When I arrived, I was greeted warmly by a smiling Esther. She ushered me to the living room sofa. She introduced me to another graduate student who was seated at one end, waiting his turn and enjoying some cookies and coffee that Esther had just made. Sprawled on the floor, Hrothgar and Sabrina were doing their homework. At the dining room table, an animated Robin was engaged in a lively conversation with another student.
This scene I shall never forget. It inspired me to become an educator, myself. For four years at Algonquin College and for 41 years at Humber College in Toronto, I tried to be as enthusiastic, as available, and as dedicated as Robin was. Like Robin, I tried to draw out rather than to profess. Robin's patriotic pride in our literature inspired me to organize at Humber for 40 years an ongoing series of literary readings by distinguished Canadian authors.
If that weren't enough, Robin's tireless crusade against the Americanization of Canadian universities had a positive outcome. When I retired from Humber in 2019, practically all of the faculty in the English department were Canadian graduates of Canadian universities.
Robin enriched so many lives. For all of us, his life was a blessing.
Ross Roxburgh
May 9, 2023
Dear Esther and Family,
Robin´a passion and love for our land and literature was central to my growth and learning.
He remains one of the very few teachers who could inspire and challenge as he pushed for the recognition of our literature and heritage.
His courage never waned and that courage and commitment caused many of us to learn more about ourselves and not accept the prevailing views that ours was a derivative and second-rate literature.
I shall never forget Robin storming into our classroom and challenging us to stand up on our hind legs in learning and questioning.
Some years ago I took a moment to thank Robin for his interest and encouragement during my days at Carleton University and I cherish his thoughtful reply.
May his legacy and the years of warm memories be a source of strength and comfort in the days ahead.
Ross Roxburgh
Sandra Campbell
May 9, 2023
Dear Esther and family: I have been away, and just learned of Robin's death. He was a brilliant, mischievous passionate teacher and Canadian -- may he rest in peace and may you all have every comfort. He supervised my MA thesis on AM Klein's journalism and there was never a dull moment in his comments or in his classes -- he influenced my life, and I mourn him. Thank you Robin.
Sandy Campbell
Blaine Marchand
May 8, 2023
Dear Esther, Rosamond, Sabrina, Hrothgar and families.
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your dear husband and father. I have so many memories of him and you all when you lived on Fourth Avenue. He and Esther were always welcoming and the house overflowed with books and brilliant conversations. I met many poets and writers and attended (as I still do) plays at the GCTC, then located across the street in the Quaker Meeting House.
I have often thought of you all and wondered how you were. Robin deserves eternal thanks for all he brought to Canadian culture and to making our universities more fully our own. He was truly a remarkable gentleman. I will keep close my memories of those years when we were blessed by the Mathews´ presence in the Glebe.
Blaine Marchand
Carla
May 8, 2023
Dear Sabrina, my condolences on your father's passing. Xo
Cathie Poynter
May 8, 2023
Friend, teacher, mentor, great soul and utterly wonderful human being; his place and Esther´s in our lives for 45 years is quite simply unique and irreplaceable. Always so generous with time, words, support, love, humour, and the vast intelligence he commanded and shared widely; I have never known a more analytical mind coupled with such human and humane understanding. His unique place in our lives for 45 years is irreplaceable. Much love to family and friends in this huge loss.
Nita ,Howie, Robin and Tony Richardson
May 7, 2023
Robin (Uncle Dan) Mathews was a kind, generous, eclectic and much loved member of my extended family. He will be missed by all of us.
Sach Killam
May 7, 2023
Wonderful person in so many diverse ways. Fiercely uncompromising critic on the one hand, while an extremely generous and fond friend on the other. Demanded and deserved respect. An outstanding character and inspiration.
Grant Lindsay
May 6, 2023
Truly a great man and a great Canadian. Look at all his wonderful achievements in his life! His time was well spent.
Gary Lindsay
May 5, 2023
He beat me countless times at Cribbage. It was always a good time. I learned a lot from him over the years and I will miss him so.
Gary Lindsay, husband of Roz Mathews
Ron Dart
May 5, 2023
I have spent many golden hours with Robin, have in my archives, a library of letters from Robin and treasure our multiple conversations and our lingering phone calls. Robin embodied, in his heroic life, the best of the
Canadian vision. Many are, also, the photos I have of Robin and Esther.
Ron Dart
Rowland Lorimer
May 5, 2023
Robin forced Canadian academe to give existence to Canadian realities. We owe him greatly for shouldering that heavy burden with energy and grace. A life well lived. My sincere condolences to his family. May they be proud!
Bob McCrae
May 5, 2023
Deepest condolences to Esther and family. Robin was a generous and caring friend and mentor who greatly inspired me.
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