I’m recalling the kindnesses that passed between Ken and me during the fifty-plus years that I knew him; I doubt if I returned as many as I received from him, when problems of whatever kind arose. He was especially supportive when he held the Department Chair. He’ll be sorely missed.
John Tunbridge, Colleague
This is very sad news. It was Ken who drew me back into the Department way back in 2005 when he was Chair. I was visiting when he stopped me in the hallway. Out of the blue he said, “I think you would do a great job teaching a course.” In hindsight I now know that he was trolling for CIs, but I gamefully answered, “Sounds like fun.” That course was resource and environmental management, and I teach it to this day.
John Milton, Colleague
Such sad news and condolences to Marg and family. Ken was soft spoken and a great chair and colleague. He was a member in good standing of the ‘old farts’ lunch gatherings which unfortunately are on hiatus due to the pandemic. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.
Steve Prashker, Colleague
This is indeed sad news. Ken made a great contribution to the Department.
Fraser Taylor, Colleague
Ken was the most enthusiastic soil scientist and so kind and generous with his time. The soils course I inherited from him has so many fun and unique components to it that wouldn’t be there without his disciplinary contributions and personal guidance. I’ll miss him!
Elyn Humphreys, Colleague
When I first started working at Carleton, I was the FASS fundraiser. Ken was always a generous supporter of the university and so I had the opportunity to meet both him and Margaret at various events. They were unfailingly kind and interested in the work we were doing in the department and inspired me to become a donor as well. Later, when I was editing Carleton Now (the last print newspaper published by the Department of Communications), I interviewed Ken, along with his former graduate student Awegechew Teshome, about the Unitarian Service Committee Seeds of Survival program. My interview with Ken has stuck with me, not just because I learned something important about food sustainability and the Green Revolution but also because Ken was so clearly a superb teacher and an ethical researcher.
Martha Attridge Bufton, Colleague
My sincerest condolences to Prof. Torrance’s family and colleagues. Prof. Torrance was a favourite professor of mine. His kindness made a difference to me as a young and uncertain undergraduate in the 1980’s. He radiated tolerance towards his students and exuded excitement about his research interests. I am very grateful to have known him.
Monica Ferguson, Former student