Norman Coates Ph.D.

1931 - 2023

Norman Coates, Ph.D.

Norman Coates, Ph.D. 1931 -2023. Professor Emeritus, University of Rhode Island.

Norman was born in Haifa, British Mandate of Palestine, where his father served the British government with distinction. His mother was a staff nurse who was very loving and caring. As part of his early education, he learned the value of personal discipline at a Boarding School in Dublin, Ireland. He later attended the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wimborne, England. He was athletic and a top student.

At this young age, he kept a correspondence with his Aunt, who had emigrated to Canada. This was key in getting his whole family to come to Canada. He met his wife in Montreal. There, he attended Sir George Williams University while also working at the Canadian National Railways. He pursued his studies at Cornell University and became known for his acumen in industrial relations and organizational development. His first teaching appointment was at

the Wharton School of Finance (University of Pennsylvania). Through the Ford Foundation, he served as visiting professor and senior consultant to governments in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In 1970-71, he served as senior advisor to the Clerk of the Privy Council, Government of Canada, when he led a key study of government organization.

His love of the ocean brought him to the University of Rhode Island in 1971 as Chairman and Professor, Department of Management. He founded the College of International Business in 1987 and was a visiting professor in Japan, where he further extended his studies of US - Japan trade relations. He touched the lives of thousands of students, who appreciated his candour and his rigour.

The first born of four boys, he grieved the loss of his brother Richard in 2004. He was a mentor to his brothers James and Daniel, of Ottawa (Canada), who will miss him for his intellect and his kindness. Other family members mourn a gentle and caring man: Norman Jr., Linda and Jasmine; Jean-Pierre, Jean, Matthew and Brett, Monique, Richard, Genevive and Gabrielle, Roger, Iras and Marie-Claude. Most of all, he will be dearly missed by his loving wife Marie-Claude, to whom he was unconditionally devoted.

The family will hold a private Celebration of Life for Norman.