In memoriam - David Frost

 

We were shocked and saddened by the death of David Frost, president of CUFA and geography professor, on May 25 from complications related to pancreatitis.

Born in England, he graduated from McGill with BSc and MSc degrees in geography. In the 1960s McGill had major research interests in the Caribbean, and he worked in climatology projects on the islands and Guyana. He went to Birmingham University for his PhD to pursue his interests in the microclimatology of agricultural crops in the tropics.

After working at Queen Mary College, London, and the University of Regina, he joined Sir George Williams University in 1972 as an assistant professor, and within six months he was chair of the Geography Department (1973-1979). He served in this capacity again from 1991-1994, and as chair of the Geology Department from 1995-1998.

From 1984-1985 he was Assistant Dean - Division II of the newly created Faculty of Arts and Science. He also sat on the Board of Governors (1989-1992), and was president of CUFA at the time of his death.

Here are tributes from some of the many Concordians who knew him.

From the Department of Geography, Planning and the Environment:

David enjoyed people, and didn’t stand on ceremony, and he could always be counted on to help. It was these qualities that made him such a marvellous colleague and teacher.

His contribution to the life of the Geography Department was huge. He had a keen sense of the discipline’s relevance to current issues, and his early interest in computer techniques was crucial in spearheading the Geography Department’s development of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

His enthusiasm brushed off on everyone, student and colleague alike. He was a long-time member of the New England-St Lawrence Valley Geographical Society (NESTVAL), having served over the years as its president and Canadian representative.

His colleagues have lost a friend and his students have lost a valued mentor. He leaves behind his wife, Pauline, and two children, Claire and Alexander. We send them our deepest condolences.

CUFA contribution

From the executive of CUFA, the Concordia University Faculty Association:

Those who knew David Frost at CUFA have lost a great friend and colleague.

David served CUFA for many years. He was treasurer from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1999 to 2003. David was secretary from 2003 to 2004, at which point he became president, a position that he held until his untimely death. He was a member of the CUFA Negotiation Team during the most recent contract negotiations.

David was dedicated to the principle that all of us, as academics, should be treated well and equitably. He would not let us forget this duty. He was familiar with all the major files. At any time, he was available to listen and advise. In particular, he understood the workings of the salary settlement (better than an accountant, according to a business school colleague.)

David’s civility and even temper kept things together when a tense meeting looked like it might get out of control.

David reminded us that you don’t stop being an academic when you take on major responsibilities in the Faculty Association. He continued to be an active researcher.

At CAUT defence fund meetings, you knew he was a geographer. Early in the morning, before the day's business, he would be off investigating the neighbourhood, driving around the countryside, tracking down antique bits of railway rolling stock in the local yards.

His annual winter solstice party on the roof of the Library Building was a remarkable event — a Concordia institution. David had friends all across the university, in every capacity, from Bishop Court on up.

He was able to get confirmed acrophobics out on an open roof, more than 12 storeys above the street. This was, in its way, geography business, and David took the opportunity to teach his friends and colleagues something about the history and technology of weather measurements.

It might be minus 20 with a bitter wind, but he looked on the bright side: “Every day will be longer from now on,” he reminded us. David was a congenial and compassionate friend, an inspiring teacher and a valuable colleague. He was committed to Concordia, fair in his personal dealings, and he wanted to see that fairness extended to the workplace.

The staff and executive of CUFA extend their deepest sympathy to his family, colleagues and friends.