DR. WILLIAM HOWARD BURGESS

Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

Professor Bill Burgess died peacefully, in his 101st year, on January 5, 2025. Bill was predeceased by his parents, William Herbert (1981) and Dorothy Meek (1943); his beloved first wife, Mary (1971); and his sister, Elizabeth Benedict (2018). He is tremendously missed by his two daughters, Ellen and Ruthie; his second wife, J. Hilary Cook, and her two daughters, Kathy and Jennie. He is mourned by his nephew, Dale Benedict (Marion); great-nephew, Eric (Kassi); great-niece, Brenda (Dan Saban); and his great-great nephews and niece.

Bill was born on March 13, 1924, in Chelsea, MA, and was accepted into Cornell University in 1942. His studies were interrupted in 1944 when he was drafted into the US Army, serving in the Signal Corps until his discharge in 1946. Upon his return to Cornell, he met and eventually married his first wife, Mary, on November 25, 1949. He went on to earn his Phd in 1954 and immigrated to Canada to accept a Professorship of Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto. He taught there until 2004 and remains forever memorable to thousands of Engineering students for his humorous teaching style and determination to see every student succeed. After his wife, Mary, passed unexpectedly in 1971, Bill raised his young daughters on his own and eventually found companionship with his second wife, Hilary, who he married in 1988.

Prof. Burgess' Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. at U of T Trinity College Chapel, 6 Hoskin Ave., Toronto, with a reception to follow for sharing stories and laughter in his honour. Private interment in Riverside Cemetery, Oswego, New York, at the convenience of the family. Updated details can be found at: https://morleybedford.wordpress.com/?s=william+burgess

In lieu of flowers, donations celebrating his life of teaching excellence and passion for student learning can be made only to a scholarship fund established at the U of T by his family in his name at: https://uoft.me/ProfessorBillBurgessAward

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord… His truth is marching on" - William Steffe, Battle Hymn of the Republic