“Doug King will always be a part of DGES family. He supported and encouraged so many. Rock on Doug.” Steven Kooy, Friend and Former Student
“Deepest sympathies to the Doug King family. Doug was part of my best memories at Carleton as I navigated my way through my remote sensing education, his knowledge, support and guidance as my undergrad Geomatics thesis supervisor proved invaluable.” Philippe Gratton, Former Undergraduate Student
“Doug was my M.Sc. thesis co-director back in 2005-2007. He also supervised my B.A. final project. It was such a pleasure and an honour to have him guiding me and supporting me in my intellectual and professional development during those years. Always present when I needed his advice. A fine example of dedication to students!” Thai Nguyen, Former Graduate Student
“I didn’t know Doug for a very long time. I met him as a new faculty member at Carleton when he was on my hiring committee. As an established, senior scholar in the department, I found Doug to be very welcoming and fair throughout the process. We had an enjoyable lunch together after the interview and he gave me a tour around campus. Turns out I was being hired just as he was retiring. Nevertheless, I always heard him in the hallways of the department, advising students and chatting with old ones. He seemed to have a real connection with his students, which was reflected in the long conversations, laughter and warmth he communicated. I had the chance to see him again in late 2019 at a classical music concert at Dominion Chalmers, where I discovered we both shared a love of classical music. I wish that we had had a chance to discuss this shared interest further. I’d like to express my condolences to Doug’s family, his colleagues and students. He was a friendly person and an excellent mentor to many, and I’m sure he will be sorely missed.” Christopher Webb, Colleague
“I met Doug almost 20 years ago when I was a student of his in the Geomatics department. I still remember feeling shocked that a professor invited us for drinks after taking an exam for our 4th year Geomatics course. I later got to know Doug more as I worked (and still work) in the library for many years after graduating from the program. This is where I got to know Doug in a work context but also in a more personal way. Whenever I saw him at an event, he always took it upon himself to come over and chat to ask how things were going. I always enjoyed my chats with Doug and will miss him greatly! My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and DGES.” Joel Rivard, Colleague and Former Student
“It was with great sadness that I read about Doug’s death last week. He and I were colleagues for more than a decade. I owe so much to Doug as it was he who was hugely instrumental in getting me hired full-time by the University after many years of sessional work and even more years as a CI. I will never forget his optimism and constant words of encouragement throughout a difficult process and his tireless work in championing my cause with the Dean and the University administration. I will also be forever grateful to him for nominating me for a University award in 2016. Doug was a wonderful colleague and Departmental Chair. He always had time to chat when most needed. He was so full of compassion, caring and good humour. My heart goes out to Dominique and their kids. For his DGES family, he will be sorely missed but always remembered and loved.” Paul Williams, Colleague
“Chers Dominique, Margaux et Yves, Mes plus sincères condoléances. Je garde de beaux souvenirs de Doug, toujours souriant, d’une grande intelligence et si vif d’esprit. Un homme compréhensif et humain avant tout. Doug a été un mentor, un conseillé, un ami. Il y a un peu de Doug dans chacun de ses étudiants. Il va me manquer…Faites-moi signe si vous passez à Québec, ca me ferais vraiment plaisir de vous revoir. Je partage votre peine et suis avec vous dans mes pensées.” Josée Lévesque, PhD Student 1993-2001
“First, my deepest condolences to Doug’s family, colleagues, and the CU and extended communities at this tremendous loss. I was completely shocked – and so saddened – by all this. Doug was such a great guy. I had the highest respect for him as a person – and as a colleague. They just don’t come any better – so dedicated, capable, and he did it all with humour and positive attitude. I’ve known Doug for 30+ years, from when I was a student. A bit older than me, Doug was one of the leading remote sensing university profs in our country. It was a true honour to get to know him more, later on when I became a prof. I have gotten the word out rather extensively, including via the Canadian Remote Sensing Society of which Doug was a long-time member. Based on all the numerous replies I’ve received so far, the amount of shock and sadness reverberating throughout the Canadian and international remote sensing communities is touching. Doug certainly touched many. I hope my message to the family and Dept. may help you become even more aware of just how widespread and far-ranging this loss is being felt, how much he meant to so very, very many. All so immensely sad – in particular, that he had just retired in 2019. Cancer, and to have to go through all that during a pandemic just makes it even harder to comprehend for him and for the family. The injustices of life. Doug – such a wonderful person – truly deserved a different fate. I guess we just never know what lies ahead, for any of us. We are left to celebrate Doug’s life, a true gift that we are so grateful, and to see his dedication, integrity, high standards, and positive and supportive attitude as a glowing example of what’s good and right in this world, and how we can best approach our own lives and interactions. My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to you all.” Derek Peddle, Professor at the Dept. of Geography and Environment, University of Lethbridge. Remote Sensing Colleague and Friend
“Une personne sympathique, gentille, affable et un grand pilier de la communauté de télédétection au Canada que nous perdons.” Brigitte Leblon, Collègue
“My heartfelt condolences to Doug’s family, colleagues and students. Doug’s knowledge and willingness to share with others made a difference beyond the research community; he was a trusted advisor to Ontario’s provincial remote sensing team. This advisory role was not formalized but was openly acknowledged among staff that Doug would willingly provide valuable insights – especially when we were moving to digital imagery. Doug’s passing is sad, but hopefully, you find comfort in the love and passion he shared with others. He was a good person that made a difference in the lives of many.” Paul Sampson, Provincial Colleague
“It was a total surprise to hear that Doug has left us. I still remembered the moment of chatting with Doug after setting in one of his class. I also had the great fortune to work with two of Doug’s students, Darren and Ian. They reflect well of Doug’s education achievement. Finally, I had the pleasure to collaborate with Doug’s partner, Dominique Blair, on the file of land use change and green house gas emission for Canada’s UNFCCC reporting. Both from direct interactions with Doug, and indirect contacts through peoples around Doug, I came to know his greatness and his love of our profession. What a loss for our profession and Canada!” Wenjun Chen, Colleague
“Doug King taught me geology in my first year in engineering at Ryerson. He was a fantastic teacher—very engaging in spite of the 8.00 lecture start time! He was always very well organized and paid close attention to detail—characteristics I very much appreciated. Apart from these outstanding qualities and all his success as a leading researcher, he was a very down-to-earth guy. Conversations with Dr Doug, as we affectionately knew him, could change from science to hockey to SCTV. He will be greatly missed, but I am so glad that I had the opportunity to know him.” Derek Lichti, Former Student
“I think I have known Doug over 20 years since he first taught me during my undergrad at Carleton. Right away I was sucked in by his enthusiasm and excitement for remote sensing, and for life! I honestly don’t know if I have ever met someone with such a zest for life! Doug taught and mentored me through years of graduate work. He had such a way of making me, and all his students, feel special and feel that their work was important and adding value to the remote sensing community. He was such a cheerleader for his students. While I have learned so much from Doug over the years about remote sensing and probably wouldn’t be where I am today without him, I think the most valuable thing he taught me was to live life to its fullest each and every day. He never said this, he just lived it and modelled it. When you talk about work-life balance, you just had to look at Doug to see it in action. The number of interests and hobbies and activities he did outside of work was incredible. He always showed me that work isn’t work when you love what you are doing. I have so many memories of Doug….wow…During my graduate work Doug got me going with small aerial cameras and gave me an old Cessna door. Off i went with some bungee chords and duct tape flying in sketchy little airplanes collecting imagery – only for him to tell me years later that apparently the door was super dangerous and that engine fumes were filling the airplane because of it. Thanks Doug!! As a supervisor, he always just let us do what we wanted. Hard to believe the trust he had in us. Years ago, I was lucky enough to go to a small conference in Texas with him years ago and he convinced me to go across the Texas-Mexican border to “explore”. Life was always about exploring to him!! We ended up wandering through border-town Mexico holding onto our wallets and passports and I don’t think I relaxed until we re-entered the USA!! He just loved the sense of seeing new places and seeing where the day took him! One time my wife Tina and I were in Banff at a conference and we met up with Doug for an amazing hike in the Rockies. We didn’t really have a plan and just followed him, only to find out after a few hours that he had no plan either….we never would have had such an incredible hike, and to this day we still remember that day as being our favorite hike ever – because Doug pushed us out of our comfort zone and as a result we had an incredible time. I used to golf with Doug in Wakefield or when we travelled. I still don’t know if I’ve ever met a golfer who was just so happy to be out there. He didn’t care if he missed the ball or sliced it into the lake 100x, he was just having fun! That’s who he was. I honestly don’t know if Doug really ever got bothered by much, maybe he kept it all inside and hid it from me. Right up to his final months when I was chatting with him through email he always seemed positive and didn’t really let on that anything troubled him. I wish I had spent more time with him the past few years, but I think that’s life, we all get busy….I’ll never forget Doug and the influence he had on my career and my life with my family. He guided me through my Masters and PhD and was there at my graduation proud as can be. He was there for me when my brother died of cancer. He was there for me when I got engaged and was there at my wedding. He was there for me when my first child was born. His dedication to work and to his family was always clear. Dom, Margaux and Yves – thank you for sharing Doug with the rest of us! I know Doug at peace, probably listening to some funky drum beat and scheming about something. He really was an inspirational character in my life and I’m going to miss him and his infectious smile.” Jon Pasher, Friend, Teacher, Supervisor and Mentor
“Deepest condolences. As so many have attested, Doug was a kind considerate person. He worked to ensure an enriching and enjoyable experience for students. It was a pleasure working with him and he is very much missed.” Tamara Kotar, Contract Instructor
Dear lovely colleagues: I wanted to send you my sincere condolences on Doug’s passing. I am sad to learn this news. The last time I spoke to Doug was at the 2019 June convocation; we sat next to each other on the stage. I didn’t know at the time that he was ill but I wanted to share a story with you about an exchange we had that afternoon. For me, it reveals the that Doug was a person with a lot of grace and this is how I will remember him. At that convocation, Doug and I chatted and laughed but at one point he said, “Pat, I wanted to let you know that even if we have had heated exchanges when we were both chairs on policy and other issues, I had so much respect for you and for how much you wanted things to be better. I will never forget. And if you think I said things to you that made you upset please know that I never meant you harm.” I was caught off guard and I told him that no matter what, I love all my colleagues, and I always know we are on the right side of the angels—I told him that he and I fight on the same side. He smiled and squeezed my hand warmly.” Patrizia Gentile, Associate Professor and Colleague
“Doug was for many years my main fellow chairman, for common actions and much sharing of practices. I watched carefully how he tried to train fellow geographers in the affairs concerning the administration of the Department; how attentive he was to University processes; how eager he was to strengthen the structures of his unit. I dropped by his office the year after he left as Chairman, to speak about his research and see the drone he was using to survey fields in the area; to enjoy one more time his enthusiasm for this knowledge, and the generosity of his conversation. I will miss him greatly.” Dominique Marshall, Colleague and former Chair of the Department of History
“Very sorry to hear about the loss of Doug; I worked with him at Carleton during my masters degree and had the opportunity to play music with him on several occasions. Both at work and in music, Doug gave the impression of a passionate, talented, and kind man. I will remember him fondly.” Nick Brown, Friend
“One of my fondest memories of my undergrad was jamming around the campfire with Doug and Murray Richardson on our field course retreat. As a fellow drummer, Doug and I bonded over our shared talent. Sharing those moments outside of the classroom with him is a memory I will always hold dear to my heart. My deepest condolences to Doug’s family, friends, and loved ones.” Matteo Petti, Former Student
“My deepest sympathies on your loss. I had many opportunities to work with Doug while he was Chair of the department, and he always struck me as a genuinely good guy, one who cared deeply for the safety of his staff, fellow faculty members and the students. He was the first Chair to reach out to me to see how we could incorporate safety into the training for his students so they would develop a safety culture early in their careers. I was also privileged to share many a laugh with him at the annual FMP Golf tournaments, where we exchanged tales of the perfect shot – into the woods! He will be missed.” Nancy Delcellier, Colleague
“Doug was a warm-hearted, generous and fun-loving person. He was dedicated to his students and we benefited from his balanced and careful approach to everything he did.” Mary Trudeau, PhD student
“When Doug was the Chair of DGES, I saw him once each month at FASS Chairs and Directors meetings. For some unspoken reason, people always sit in the exact same chair or same area of the room at these meetings, month after month. As such, I often found myself sitting beside or near Doug. I was always glad to see and chat with him – he was unfailingly kind, smiling and gentle. He championed all things DGES with deep care, fortitude and commitment. I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to Doug’s family, friends and colleagues.” Sandra Dyck, Colleague
“I am so sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. When I think of Doug I can see a huge smile on his face. He would be chatting about the hockey pool or just making conversation about biking or skating which are two of my passions. I remembered when we hired Doug in the early 90’s as we were in a hiring frenzy during those years. Before I retired, my daily lunchtime walks around Dow’s Lake included crossing paths with Ian Olthof, one of Doug’s former students. We always greeted each other. My sympathy and prayers are extended to Dominique and their two children.” Judy Donaldson, Retired Colleague who worked as Assistant to the Chair in DGES for 22 years
“Doug touched my life in many ways. First as a really supportive colleague when I first arrived at Carleton two decades ago. We had some great philosophical conversations about remote sensing and maps which I wasn’t expecting from someone trained as an engineer. He was in fact a champion of geography as an interdisciplinary field and bridging the divide between geomatics and human geography in our undergraduate programs. Doug was also the reason why I started playing guitar again — he was the heart and soul of Rustbuckit, and later, Farmhouse. Many people enjoyed our shows but some of my fondest memories of those days are of improvising all kinds of crazy “music” during our practices, just for the sheer fun of it. Those were great days, and we remained good friends afterwards. He liked coming to Chinatown for lunch or to go for walk in my neighbourhood. I will really miss him.” Derek Smith, Colleague and Friend
“Doug was a great person, a great colleague, and a great leader. I had some great talks with Doug around the department and at Mike’s Place, and loved to see him playing with the band. It’s hard to imagine the DGES without him. I remember when I was applying to do a Ph.D. in the DGES, Doug heard about my application and one day when I was passing in the hall, he ran out of his office to talk. He was really excited to hear that I might be sticking around and was considering the Ph.D. He told me how his Ph.D. was the best decision he’d made, and how much he’d loved being a professor and a researcher. It struck me then that he was someone who had found exactly where he wanted to be, and wanted to encourage others to do the same. In the years since, I’ve come to appreciate how rare and special it is for someone to love their every day that much, and I’m so grateful that he shared that with us. Doug’s will be a legacy of joy for years to come.” Keegan Smith, Former Graduate Student
“I had the pleasure of working with Doug as his HR Advisor earlier on in my career and I gained an enormous amount of respect for Doug in his handling of some delicate issues as well as the importance he placed on the recruitment process for his Departments hiring’s. He was always a good listener and one that was open to advise and guidance in the areas that were not his expertise. My sincere condolences to his family and friends and all those in DGES, ODFASS and other areas of the University that Doug touched.” Greg Bugler, Colleague
“Doug became a dear and close friend as i got to know him through our music projects and performances together, and eventually lots of life in between: rehearsing, skiing, sharing stories, ideas, projects, memories, anecdotes, knowledge from his vast range. Not only did he have the tech side of recording and studio practices covered, he was also a brilliant drummer and musician, a true musical adventurer who could play in any style, adapt to any tempo change, improvise and invent. He was a fearlessly kind and generous soul, an interested advisor on music and life, and always 100% positive and enthusiastic even when the chips were down. I was honoured to know him and I will miss him dearly.” John Gillies, Close Friend and Fellow Musician
“Thank you so very much for publishing this beautiful tribute to my son. Doug was an exceptional human being who really did care about the planet and the environment. He will be missed immensely by so many. Yes, I am one very proud mama!!” Valerie King, Doug’s Mother