For over 35 years, Legge’s exemplary scholarship, teaching and service record helped elevate the University of Waterloo’s reputation as one of the world’s preeminent engineering schools.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Raymond L. Legge passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the age of 68.
Throughout his career at the University of Waterloo, Legge remained an active and involved professor who inspired the next generation of engineering leaders. His teaching excellence was recognized many times, including as a two-time recipient of the Sanford Fleming Foundation Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award and a three-time recipient of the Faculty of Engineering’s Distinguished Performance Award.
Legge’s dedication to educating the next generation of engineers frequently went beyond the classroom. Serving in several senior administrative roles within the Faculty, Legge significantly shaped Waterloo’s prominent engineering curriculum. He has served on over 50 committees across Waterloo and personally supervised more than fifty doctoral and master’s students – many of whom are now leaders in the engineering profession.
His extraordinary research contributions are equal to his distinguished career as an educator. Legge’s world-class research program at Waterloo is one of the first to be singularly focused on biotechnologies development. His pioneering contributions have advanced many applications of global import, from biosensors to environmental monitoring and remediation, to green bioprocesses and biological water treatment. His 370+ journal and conference publications in these areas have been cited more than 8,250 times.
“Ray was a true gentleman and a wonderful colleague,” said Dean Mary Wells. “He brought class to every situation he was in and had a twinkle that made you want to be around him. I will miss him deeply.”
During this difficult time, the Faculty of 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.