Douglas Tyndall Wright

Douglas Tyndall Wright, OC (October 4, 1927 – May 21, 2020) was a Canadian civil engineer, civil servant, and university administrator.

Douglas Tyndall Wright

President of the University of Waterloo
In office
1981–1993
Preceded byBurt Matthews
Succeeded byJames Downey
Personal details
Born(1927-10-04)October 4, 1927
Toronto, Ontario
DiedMay 21, 2020(2020-05-21) (aged 92)
Spouse(s)Margaret Maxwell, Zella Wolofsky
ChildrenWilliam Maxwell, Matthew Clyde, Robert Tyndall, Sarah Jane, Anna Marie

Wright was born in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Etta Frances Tyndall and George Charles Wright.[1] He received a B.A.Sc. from the University of Toronto in 1949, a Master of Science degree in 1952 from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1954. In 1954, he joined the Department of Civil Engineering at Queen's University becoming Associate Professor by 1958. In 1958, he became a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He was Chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering from 1958 to 1963 and was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering from 1959 to 1966.

From 1967 to 1972, he was the Chairman of the Committee on University Affairs for the Province of Ontario. From 1969 to 1972, he was the Chairman of the Commission on Post Secondary Education in Ontario. From 1972 to 1979, he was Deputy Provincial Secretary for Social Development and from 1979 to 1980, he was Deputy Minister of Culture and Recreation. From 1981 to 1993, he was the President, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo. From 1995 to July 2007, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Research in Motion.

In 1991, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1993, he was made a Knight (chevalier) in France's Ordre National du Mérite. In 1995, he received the Sir John Kennedy Medal from the Engineering Institute of Canada. He was a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and of the Engineering Institute of Canada. He received honorary degrees from Carleton University, Brock University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Concordia University, Northeastern University, Strathclyde University, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Université de Sherbrooke, Queen's University, McMaster University, University of Toronto, and the University of Waterloo.

He died on May 21, 2020.[2]

References

  • "Canadian Who's Who 1997 entry". Retrieved 2006-03-06.
  • Dr. D.T. Wright - President 1981-1993, President Emeritus
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