Honourees are CACOR members or external individuals or NGOs, Organizations, Departments, or Agencies that have made substantial contributions in support of the CACOR mission.
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08 June 2022
Robert Hoffman, Ph.D.
Link to | Obituary of Robert Hoffman
Robert always provided a deeply appreciated voice of reason, historical perspective, and continuity during his many years of service to the Canadian Association for the Club of Rome (CACOR).
He was perpetually calm, rational, and caring in his observations and arguments: a wonderful human being. His whatif? perspective was a natural sequel to the pioneering work of the Club of Rome on the limits to growth. It enabled CACOR to conduct a soundly informed Pathways study on how to overcome the issues and challenges of effectively reducing Canadian emissions from the consumption and production of energy. As a consultant, Robert also contributed directly to many practical projects in Canadian municipalities.
His never-failing rigour for statistical discipline was an inspiration for one member who had studied algebra and statistics. Robert was part of the continuing evolution of the application of mathematics to the analysis of complex systems, initially military operations, then “operational research,” the forerunner of computational analysis, which led to the work of the pioneering report of the Club of Rome on limits to growth, and subsequently to Robert’s insightful work on energy systems.
Robert played a vital role along with Ed Napke in holding CACOR together for many years. Robert was a leader who served as secretary, president, and membership secretary. He was dedicated to the association and its members. Robert was also well known and appreciated by members of the Club of Rome. He was missed at the recent 50th anniversary celebration of Limits to Growth held in Boston.
There is no bigger decision made in life than its termination. Robert took this decision with strength and courage. The members of CACOR were not surprised.
A friend wrote, “Life is an adventure. We are blessed to live in a country in which people like Robert leave a legacy of which we are all proud.”
Dr. John Hollins, Prior Chair CACOR, June 2022
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When I met Robert in Canada he inspired me to take on modelling and I have done so over the years. At his stage in the life of SL, modelling would be so useful to understand the indirect effects on the overall directional effect of the system. As we are not watching the indirect relationship we find ourselves caught unaware and so unprepared. This was the substance of Robert’s modelling message to me as I remember it.
Robert is a brave man to abandon the traditional model of allopathic medicine, indeed any medicine at this juncture of his life. I have long felt there is a preparation for death, or what is better described as passing away, Seems like Robert in his wisdom is taking on that journey. “What if” was a very descriptive name for his company and his thinking.
Dr Leonie Solomons
A Cybernetic Approach to Economics
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Dr. Derek Paul in a recent book, A Leap to an Ecological Economy, third edition, includes the main contributions from Robert Hoffman. (August 2022)
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09 June 2022
James Rennie Whitehead, Ph.D.
Link to | Obituary of Rennie Whitehead
James Rennie Whitehead (whitehead-family.ca)
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13 March 2023
Edward Napke, M.D.,D.P.H.
Link to | Obituary of Dr. Edward Napke
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12 November 2024
John Edward Smith (Jack)
March 1, 1950 – November 12, 2024
CACOR is sad to announce the passing of John Edward (Jack) Smith. He has been an important member of CACOR and over several decades provided intellectual input, friendship, and support to the activities of CACOR.
A loving husband, father, and friend to many, Jack was born in Halifax. He graduated from Queens University in 1972 and later from Cornell University in 1984. He held a very strong, lifelong attachment to Ithaca NY, and to his maritime roots.
Jack made substantial contributions in energy conservation, housing, and science policy across the federal government, including the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the National Research Council, and the Office of the National Science Advisor. Considered the father of technology foresight in Canada, he launched the Federal Foresight Network, was an international advisor with the APEC Center for Technology Foresight in Thailand, and co-founder of the Foresight Synergy Network at the University of Ottawa Telfer School of Management with Jonathon Calof.
Jack brought the concepts of foresight and modeling to CACOR and was the recruiter of many of us to Futures and Forecasting as well as a key recruiter for members of the Canadian Association for the Club of Rome.
Jack was very much respected and liked by his CACOR friends. For many years he held the best parties at his home for CACOR festivities. He was respected for his love for travel, gourmet cooking, wine tasting, dancing, and politics. He was also known for his extensive and eclectic collections of grotesque lamps, corkscrews, and water pistols, as well as numerous grotto parties where he entertained his many friends.
Jack possessed a steely will, cloaked in a kind and gentle spirit. With remarkable determination, he persevered through all the ‘bumps and scrapes’ his condition dealt him for over a decade. The members of CACOR will greatly miss him.
In recognition of his membership and considerable contributions to CACOR, the Canadian Association will be adding Jack’s name to the CACOR Wall of Fame.
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