It is with great sadness that we inform you that Dr. H. Roy Krouse passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2010,  after a short, courageous battle with cancer. We have lost not only an excellent scientist, but also a tremendous colleague, an exceptional mentor and a very dear friend. Many of you will recall his engaging warmth and deeply inquisitive nature, which he amply shared in the classroom, in university hallways, or at numerous conferences around the globe.  Roy added insight and liveliness to events wherever he was; his generosity of spirit, inquiring mind and collegial warmth will be sorely missed.

Dr. H. Roy Krouse received his BSc (Honours) in Physics and Chemistry in 1956, and a PhD in Physics in 1960 from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. He completed his PhD thesis on selenium isotopes under the direction of Harry G. Thode. In 1960, Roy joined the University of Alberta in Edmonton as a faculty member in the Department of Physics. There, he established an extensive multidisciplinary stable isotope research program, the second in Canada. In 1971, he moved to the University of Calgary as Professor and Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, where he established another internationally recognized stable isotope laboratory and conducted pioneering research devoted to the application of isotope techniques to numerous different disciplines throughout his scientific career. In 1997, he was awarded the honorary title of Professor Emeritus. At the same time, the University of Calgary appointed him to the position of Faculty Professor, a designation that recognizes the expertise and continuing high caliber of research being done by “retired” professors.

Using and developing specialized analytical tools, complemented by commercial mass spectrometers, Dr. H. Roy Krouse made significant contributions to the application of stable isotope techniques in solving environmental and geological problems. He is a world-renowned pioneer in the application of sulfur isotopes in environmental studies. The unique situation in the Province of Alberta, with its isotopically distinct sulfur emissions from sour gas processing plants, not only allowed him to trace the fate of these emissions in the environment, but also to study many fundamental physical, chemical, and biological processes in the sulfur cycle. As a consequence he was invited to serve on a UNEP/SCOPE committee, which addressed global cycling of sulfur. One of his tasks was co-editing and contributing to a definitive book on distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sulfur locally, regionally, and globally.

Dr. H. Roy Krouse received numerous honors and awards throughout his scientific career. He was an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (since 1994), the Chemical Institute of Canada (since 1990), and the Arctic Institute of North America (since 1989). In 1999, he was co-recipient of the Miroslaw Romanowski Medal of the Royal Society of Canada for significant contributions of scientific aspects of environmental problems. In 2001, Roy received the CAP medal for outstanding achievement in Industrial and Applied Physics from the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP).

Roy was also an outstandingly patient and determined educator who transmitted his encouragement and sense of wonder about the world to students. He supervised numerous graduate students and co-supervised and participated on the committees of hundreds of students over the years. The Stable Isotope Laboratory he founded is an international entity, regularly visited by well-known scientists from around the globe. Roy has consistently offered analyses to students and colleagues and the scientific benefits have been enormous. A large number of former students now working in industry, government and universities developed a comprehensive knowledge of isotope systematics and the ability to apply isotope data to geological and environmental problems because of Roy’s generosity with his time and his analytical facilities.

It is noteworthy that throughout his outstanding career as scientist and educator, Roy was always able to carve out some time for his favorite hobbies. This included spending quality time with his loving wife Irene and sons Donald and Ian. Over 50 years, he had acquired an extensive collection of model trains from around the world. On a regular basis, Roy also played the guitar and fiddle with the Prairie Mountain Fiddlers of Calgary at Stampede events, pancake breakfasts and various other occasions. He and his wife Irene have composed songs in traditional country style, some of which are featured on his CD, “Calgary Country”.

We have lost a great scientist, a tremendous colleague, and a very dear friend.

Bernhard Mayer, Ann-Lise Norman and Mike Wieser

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