Remembering Richard Andrew “Dick” Pullin for his pioneering work in co-op
By: Michelle Radman
We are saddened to share that Richard Andrew “Dick” Pullin passed away on July 16, 2025. As a founding pillar of Waterloo’s co-op community, Dick devoted more than three decades to building a world-class co-operative education program.
Building a world-class co-op program
From those early days, Pullin shaped every part of co-op education in the Faculty of Science, crafting job-matching processes, fostering employer partnerships and mentoring new staff. He led his colleagues through rapid program growth and helped establish the largest co-operative education program of its kind.
Dick made a special effort to connect with me when I began my journey at Waterloo. He shared some of the history of Waterloo’s co-op program with me which was appreciated.
Photo source: Richard Andrew "Dick" Pullin obituary
An enduring legacy
Pullin served as president of the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) and vice-president of its U.S. counterpart. Even after taking early retirement in 1996, Pullin stayed on as volunteer editor of the Journal of Co-operative Education, spreading best practices across North America and beyond.
His peers honoured him with the Albert Barber Award and the 1997 Herman Schneider Award for outstanding leadership in co-operative education. He sat on international boards, shaped national standards and represented Waterloo at conferences.
Pullin’s quiet leadership, built on kindness and sincerity, left a blueprint for today’s co-op staff, faculty and community partners. His structures continue today in every student who learns by doing, and his influence continues in the Canadian co-op community he helped found.
Dick Pullin was a gentle, caring person with a wonderful sense of humour who built the structure for co-operative education in Science at Waterloo, a legacy that lasts to this day.