The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and groundwater community is mourning the recent passing of Dr. Emil Frind, Distinguished Professor Emeritus. He passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at the age of 90.
Frind, a hydrogeologist and groundwater modeller, pioneered the field of quantitative groundwater science and was a leader in the development of modelling methodologies for groundwater processes.
“Emil was an exceptional scientist and a true gentleman. I fondly remember how, shortly after I arrived in Waterloo, he took me aside and patiently explained the challenges and caveats of modelling well capture zones in real-world groundwater systems," said Dr. Philippe Van Cappellen, Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Ecohydrology.
Born in Germany, Frind received a BSc in Civil Engineering (1966), an MSc in Hydrology (1967) and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (1971) from the University of Toronto.
Hired by the late Dr. Robert Farvolden in 1971, Frind came to the University of Waterloo as a core member of the newly-established groundwater group. Within 15 years, this group became one of the most highly respected groundwater programs in the world.
Specializing in computer modelling, Frind was among the first in the world to develop courses on groundwater resources and computer modelling of earth systems. He strove to keep abreast of the latest developments in groundwater research, and he is constantly revising and updating his curriculum so that he can bring this new information into the classroom. Students remarked on the importance that Emil placed on student comprehension of the course material - he was patient and was willing to repeat concepts several times without making the student feel embarrassed. He was also able to write equations and numerical codes on the black board without referring to his notes.
“Professor Frind trained and motivated generations of hydrogeologists in the art of groundwater modelling and his brilliance as a groundwater scientist was only surpassed by his kind and patient devotion to his students, colleagues, and friends. Emil’s dedication to the advancement of hydrologic science for the betterment of the human condition had such a deep impact on all of us who were fortunate enough to have worked closely with him,” said David Rudolph, Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department.
His career honours included: the University of Waterloo Distinguished Teacher Award (1998), the Grand River Conservation Authority Watershed Award (2014), the Robert N. Farvolden Award (2007), the University of Toronto Hall of Distinction Award (2015) and a Life Member Award from the US National Ground Water Association (2007).
Frind was the author of hundreds of journal articles and professional reports and was recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher in the fields of Ecology/Environment and Engineering. This distinction is reserved for researchers with papers rank in the top 1% and who have demonstrated significant and broad influence reflected in their publication of multiple highly cited papers over the last decade. He served as editor for several journals including the Journal of Hydrology, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Canadian Water Resources Journal and Advances in Water Resources.
Even after retirement, he continued to publish and mentor graduate students. In recent years, his work also focused on source water protection and water sustainability, both vital issues as water resources become stressed due to growth, pollution, and climate change. He worked with the Region of Waterloo to develop a strategy for the sustainable use of local groundwater as a drinking water source, saving taxpayers billions in infrastructure costs.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years Rosemarie and son Michael. Please post a message or share a memory of Dr. Emil Frind on the tribute wall.