911³Ô¹Ï

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert "Bob" Horsfall, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography.

Taken from Bob's :

Robert Horsfall, "Bob", left us on Aug. 8, 2024 after a long struggle with dementia and a short one with lung cancer.   

After high school, Bob served 4 years in the US Navy, and then followed his parents and paternal grandmother to Reed College in Oregon.  In addition to his studies, he was known for racing and fixing motorcycles, playing the banjo, woodcarving, and assisting with elephant learning research at the Portland Zoo.

Bob completed his PhD in psychology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.  While there, he developed his lifelong goal to leave the world a better place than he found it.  He led the local boyscout troop and worked with a Neighbourhood Action Group to improve living conditions in the Druid Hill area of Baltimore, where he and his young family (wife Gayel and son Andy) lived.   

In 1970, he accepted a position in the Geography Department at 911³Ô¹Ï, where he created the brand new field of Cognitive Cartography, using his background in psychology and statistics to refine the process of map making, including tactile maps for the blind.  He was the longtime chair of the Animal Care Committee, and worked many hours advising students in the Academic Advice Centre.  While at 911³Ô¹Ï, he also acted as a volunteer and served on multiple boards, including for the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Riverview Hospital Volunteer Association, the Pioneer House Community Living Association, the Vancouver SPCA, and the Canadian Association of Geographers.

Bob was predeceased by his brother Gene and sister Anga, and is remembered lovingly by his second wife Camilla, his son Andy, daughter-in-law Shelley and grandsons Scott and Tyler, as well as other close and supportive relatives, friends, neighbours, coffee buddies, hiking pals, and too many dogs to count.

Read more of his tributes here:

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his wife, Camilla, and his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.