With deep sadness, the Department of Chemical Engineering mourns the passing of our colleague and friend Dr. Raymond Legge, Distinguished Professor Emeritus on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the age of 68.
Loved by everyone who met him, Ray’s untimely departure leaves a void that seems impossible to fill.
Raymond’s career at the University of Waterloo spanned over 37 years. During this time, he made significant contributions to the development of biosensors, environmental monitoring and remediation, green bioprocesses, and water treatment. Raymond’s research program was one of the first in engineering to focus on biotechnology development.
Throughout his career, Raymond taught more than 7,000 students and was the recipient of the Sandford Fleming Foundation Teaching Excellence Award on two occasions, as well as many other awards including the Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal.
His service to the University and to the Faculty of Engineering helped shape Waterloo’s Engineering Program.
He was a dear friend to colleagues and an inspiration to his students. He was known for his kindness and gentle nature and is remembered fondly by all his colleagues, many of whom reflect on their memories of him.
Ray was a gentleman and a scholar. For about ten years after starting as a young faculty member, I shared the office next to his on the ground floor of the Douglas Wright Engineering building.
A colleague with a deep sense of humanity, full of compassion and understanding, Ray shared with me his lecture notes, cooking recipes and life wisdom with the freedom afforded only to those who have understood the true meaning of time.
Mario Ioannidis Chair of The Department of Chemical Engineering
Ray and I had established an annual drink, after our first bonding in a 'dunk the professors’ tank' event in 1987, with all sorts of discussions ranging from cars to art to graduate supervision, and all the way to complex bourbons. My deepest condolences to Ray's family. Rest in peace, dear Ray!
Alex Penlidis Professor Department of Chemical Engineering
Raymond Legge sitting on the dunk tank
Such a special man whose life was way too short. Ray always brought a smile and a sense of peace to everyone he came in contact with. Condolences to the family.
Judy Caron Manager Graduate Studies Department of Chemical Engineering
Ray had always been a kind, gentle and wise colleague. He was one of the faculty whom I met during my interview at the University of Waterloo. I still remember he had kindly offered me his card and asked me to contact him if I had further questions about the department, the university, and the Kitchener Waterloo area. My office happened to be just a few rooms down the corridor from his office. We had a lot of interesting and joyful conversations in the pantry or around the office. He also gave me a lot of wise and helpful advice, on settling down in Waterloo, on work, classes, graduate student mentorship... also on growing African violets! He shared that his mother loved African violets, so he had also been planting and propagating the African violet by different methods—a true scientist who experimented with various things in our daily life. I will also remember his gentle voice, his very warm and encouraging smile and his encouragement.
Ray, we will dearly miss you. Rest in Peace.
Evelyn Yim Professor Department of Chemical Engineering
I feel extremely sad to hear about the unfortunate and untimely demise of Professor Legge. He was my mentor and a friend throughout the 25 years I worked in the Chemical Engineering department. I retired in July 2016. A few months after my retirement, I met him in a Canadian Tire store near my house. He was happy to see me, and we talked for a few minutes. He told me that he has a 5-year plan for retirement, but also confessed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment and may have to advance his intended retirement date. I thought he completely recovered after successful treatment. Naturally, I was devastated to hear the news of his death. Good and compassionate friends like him are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget.
His gentle ways and comforting words are a pleasure to recall. He had a kind word for all and died beloved by all. Now, he is too far away for sight and sound to reach but not too far for thoughts to reach.
May his soul rest in peace.
Siva Ganeshalingam Retired Lab Instructor for the Department of Chemical Engineering
The Department of Chemical Engineering offers our heartfelt condolences to his husband Troy, his family and his friends.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to the newly established Raymond L. Legge Chemical Engineering Pride Scholarship at the University of Waterloo.