Robert (Bob) Ellis, a long-time member of the Geophysics group in our Department, and its predecessors, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Sunday, June 22. He was 89. Bob received degrees in mathematics and physics from, first, the University of Western Ontario and then his PhD from the University of Alberta. He joined the (then) Department of Geophysics and Astronomy in 1966 and remained as Professor until his retirement in 2001. Bob’s research interests focused on earthquake and explosion seismology and their application to earthquake activity and the structure and evolution of the lithosphere, particularly in B.C. He mentored many graduate students who went on to successful careers in industry, academia and government service. 

Bob also contributed in a major way to the administration and collegiality of geophysical colleagues and other Earth science groups. In 1991, he became Head of Geophysics and Astronomy and effectively guided that department for the next 5 years. This was not an easy period as discussions concerning the creation of an amalgamated department (geology, oceanography and geophysics) took place throughout. On April 1, 1996 the new Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences was created from those groups while the astronomy group was joined with Physics. Bob was appointed Head of the new department. With perseverance and equanimity, he provided excellent leadership of the three groups, housed in four buildings, for 5 years until his retirement. Upon taking up this leadership role, Bob had this to say about the merger: “There has been a gradual convergence due to the complexity of problems in earth and ocean sciences, problems which can best be solved through close collaboration among experts from a number of sub-disciplines within the broad field. There is no doubt that it is the needs of the science and a contemporary teaching program in the science that has brought us together.” His statement is just as relevant today. 

On the personal side, Bob was quiet and thoughtful. He played a mean game of badminton and was a regular with a group of badminton players at UBC. He was also an avid cyclist. Bob and his loving wife, Wendy Drysdale, have literally cycled all over the world. Bob lived and worked a good life. 

For me, he was a wonderful mentor, colleague and friend. Thank you, Bob. 

…contributed by Ron Clowes, Emeritus Professor, EOAS

Bob at his retirement in 2001 

Bob in his cycling gear in 2016

Bob at the EOAS 25th Anniversary Gala