Michael had a long and impactful career at the University of Waterloo, spanning over 28 years. He was a diligent and dedicated lab director who was kind and welcoming to everyone he met. He forged many friendships on campus with his smile, warmth and caring heart.
Michael Herz, laboratory director, mechanical and mechatronics engineering and past UWSA president, passed away on Saturday, January 14.
In addition to his work in engineering, Michael was very dedicated to UWSA. In 2013, he joined the nominating committee and became a well-respected leadership voice within the association for close to a decade. His many roles included President Elect (2014), President (2015), Past President (2016), Board member (2017-2022) and Secretary (2021), member of the Staff Relations Committee, the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation, UW Pension & Benefits Committee, the Policy 33 Review and Development Committee, and the UWSA Members’ Advisory Committee.
In recent years, he became the driving force behind UWSA’s efforts to bring a new UW-UWSA Memorandum of Agreement to life starting from writing the very first draft, to his tireless, multi-year efforts to see it approved by UWSA membership and the Board of Governors.
There is no doubt that Michael has helped to improve the working lives of his fellow Waterloo colleagues. He will be missed beyond words. The Faculty of Engineering and UWSA extend our deepest sympathies to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues who are grieving his tremendous loss.
Michael's
family
will
receive
relatives
and
friends
from
12
noon
to
12:45
p.m.
on
Sunday,
January
22
at
the
Henry
Walser
Funeral
Home
(507
Frederick
St.,
Kitchener).
A
memorial
service
will
follow.
As
per
his
family’s
announcement
in
the obituary,
in
lieu
of
flowers,
Michael
would
have
greatly
appreciated
donations
to Homewood
Research
Institute.
If
you
are
struggling
to
cope
with
this
loss,
please
know
that
there
are
counselling
services
available
to
help
you
deal
with
this
painful
news
that
can
be
arranged
through
Waterloo’s employee
assistance
plan, employee
extended
health
benefits and occupational
health.