You are now on Legacy.com. Your site use is governed by their Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Any purchases are with Legacy.com. Learn More

Search by Name

Search by Name

Robert Walter BESANT

1935 - 2021

Robert Walter BESANT obituary, 1935-2021, Calgary, ON

BORN

1935

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Robert BESANT Obituary

ROBERT WALTER BESANT February 5, 1935 - Winnipeg, Manitoba October 31, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta The death of Robert W. Besant, Professor Emeritus, University of Saskatchewan, occurred on Sunday, October 31, 2021. A graduate of the University of Manitoba, BSc.Eng in 1957, Professor Besant spent time at NRC in Ottawa on his way to graduate studies at Princeton University in New Jersey, United States, M.S.E in 1959. In 1960, he joined the faculty of University of Saskatchewan and began a distinguished career of teaching and research, producing over three hundred refereed publications, plus many other technical reports, international conference presentations, seminars and invited talks. In 1991, he was named "Engineer of the Year" by the Saskatoon Engineering Society and honoured with an award of merit by the Canadian Housing Design Council. He served on the board of directors and was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Energy Conservation and Development Authority. In 1992, he received the "Solar Person of the Year Award by SESCI (Solar Energy Society of Canada) for passive solar and energy efficient design. He was made a fellow of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) in 1993. He received two large grants from ASHRAE for research for the ASHRAE Technical Committees that set the standards for Industrial Heating and ventilation and frost growth in energy recovery. Professor Besant served eleven years as head of the Mechanical Engineering Department and during that decade was able to increase the number of graduate students in the college from ten to ninety. In 1999, he was honoured with the University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Research Award. In 2006, he became a Canadian Academy Engineering Fellow. Over the years he was granted several ASHRAE technical paper awards. Following formal retirement, he continued research on the technical committees and with the graduate students, an activity that he loved dearly. In 2015, Professor Emeritas Besant and Doctor Carey Simonson were recipients of a Synergy award for innovation from NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) for collaboration with industry NORTEK (formerly Venmar CES Inc) at Rideau Hall in Ottawa as a model of effective partnership, receiving a two hundred-thousand-dollar grant plus a thirty-thousand-dollar grant to NORTEK for future collaborative research development. His research continues to have a major impact on the energy conservation of building design in Canada and other industrial countries. The work he pioneered in developing the first heat recovery ventilators for small buildings has spawned an industry. The internationally recognized research on ventilation and exhaust air, heat and moisture recovery has coincided with a ten-times increase in the use of recovery exchangers in large buildings in North America over the last twenty-five years, and his work on super-insulated houses provided key inputs for the Federal Government R2000 housing program. Over the years he maintained an active interest in his growing family's activities and was president of the Goldfin Speed Swimming Club for ten years. He enjoyed membership and activities with the Saskatoon Natural Historical Society. The Audubon Annual Boxing Day Bird Count was a favourite activity and never missed. He always maintained a large garden of both flowers and vegetables, planting hundreds of trees in our city garden, and in the last couple of decades, on our acreage. He was a dedicated camper with the family, with tent and car, and covered all the provinces and most of the American states. Regardless of any problems or unpredictable surprises he never lost his wonderful sense of humour. A devotee of Rachel Carson and her famous "Silent Spring" the deterioration of the environment and lost species became a major concern, and he added his support to most of the wildlife and environmental charitable foundations. Much loved and loving husband for over sixty-four years of Joyce (nee Brown), he is also survived by daughter Joan (Calgary), sons, Jeff (Vancouver) and Garth and daughter-in-law Lisa in Calgary; and granddaughters, Madison and Lauren. Robert is also survived by sister Geraldine (Frank) Prouten, Nanaimo, BC, and youngest brother David, Toronto, ON, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends. Born in Winnipeg in 1935 he is predeceased by parents, William and Lilian; eldest brother and sister-in-law, Don and Edith; and older brother Alvin (Jean). A gentle and loving soul to the end. Cremation has taken place and at the request of the deceased, no public service is planned. In living memory of Robert, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, HERITAGE, 1708 - 16th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 0L7, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Globe and Mail from Nov. 6 to Nov. 10, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert BESANT

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

Yong Tao

November 29, 2021

Bob,

You are forever remembered by us, as a first mentor to my academic career, a friend and a role model to me and my family. Many times after I left University of Saskatchewan, you visited us and advised my graduate students in Florida and Texas. You are with us forever. Rest in piece, Yong, Vivian, Yuan and Alisa.
p.s.: Joyce, so sorry to hear Bob passing. We did not know until I am going to send a Christmas card for 2021. Take care of yourself.

em

November 22, 2021

My condolences for the loss of your loved one. May The God of all comfort, comfort your hearts and grant your family peace during this difficult time. 2 Thessalonians 2:17

Greg Schoenau

November 6, 2021

Very sorry to hear about Bob. But he did live a very full life making an immense contribution to building science and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His legacy lives on after him.

He was a definitely a mentor of mine although I doubt I ever lived up to his expectations. I dreaded taking over the headship of the department when he resigned after 11 years of yeoman service. His capacity for work was immense. It was truly a one man show. He ran the entire graduate program and a good chunk of the undergraduate as well. Work that eventually had to be done by several committees.

The leadership he provided in research was exemplary. I had the privilege of working with him and Dick VanEee on the development of the first HRV. This device is now widely manufactured for use in homes and other buildings. Bob very early on recognized the need for this product and sent me a sketch of his idea for us to consturct when he was on sabbatical in the US. It was made out of plywood and polyethylene. It evolved into a unit made out of choroplast plastic sheets and which is the same basic construction used by most manufacturers today. He was also the key player for the college on the task force that developed the one of the world's first super insulated homes.

Besides being an eminent scholar, he was a true gentleman.I don't ever recall him raising his voice and certainly never reprimanding anyone. When working with you, he would often just patiently wait and prod a bit until you caught up.
Again, I consider myself very fortunate to have known and worked with Bob.

Greg Schoenau

Allan Johnson

November 6, 2021

Hi Joyce, Bob, as you might remember, was my advisor for my Masters. More than this, he was one of three men that were most influential in my life. My interests are still heat recovery and I continue to be called upon as knowledgeable in the HVAC field. Including member ASHRAE. Bob was ahead of his time, and in these days of climate change issues, his guidance will be missed. Al

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Memorial Events
for Robert BESANT

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes - Park Memorial Chapel

5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5