Waterloo Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are mourning the loss of Professor Emeritus Timothy Topper, an influential researcher in fatigue and fracture mechanics and a beloved mentor to generations of students and colleagues. Dr. Topper passed away on February 28, 2025.
Born in Kleinburg, Ontario, Topper earned his Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1959 and his PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge in 1962. Topper joined the University of Waterloo shortly after completing his PhD, beginning an esteemed academic career that spanned more than five decades.
A distinguished career
Topper became globally recognized for his work in materials engineering, including his contribution to the development of the well-known El Haddad-Topper model, which is used to predict how materials break down under cyclic (fatigue) loading. He published over 250 peer-reviewed papers and gave more than 40 invited keynote addresses at major international conferences.
“Tim was an extraordinary mentor and a fixture on campus well into his retirement,” says Dr. Scott Walbridge, current chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “He had several lifelong friends who were former graduate students of his, which speaks volumes about the impact he had. He was always generous with his time and knowledge, and his passion for research never waned.”
Topper served as Waterloo’s Chair of Civil Engineering from 1972 to 1978 and later became the director of the Waterloo–Brazil CIDA program, building lasting collaborations with international institutions and contributing to research efforts at PUC-Rio and the University of Brasília (UnB). He supervised more than 100 graduate students, many of whom would go on to shape the field of civil and materials engineering globally.
Left to right: Dr. Eduardo Martins Fontes do Rego, Dr. Timothy Topper and Dr. Scott Walbridge
Building international bridges
Among them was Professor Antonio Miranda of the University of Brasília. “He became a reference not only as a scholar but also as a friend,” Miranda recalls. “His support of Brazilian students and researchers was invaluable; his influence will be felt for generations.”
Professor Ian Smith, who credits Topper with changing the course of his career, adds, “Without his encouragement, I would have never gone to Cambridge, UK. That led to a 43-year job at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. He was one of the most intelligent and generous people I have known.”
Professor Rakesh Ranjan, now at IIT Roorkee, remembers him as “a mentor whose wisdom, kindness, and unwavering support were invaluable. I will forever cherish the lessons he imparted.”
Topper’s mentorship extended far beyond technical guidance. “He genuinely cared about my growth,” says former PhD student Carol Liang. “He shaped me into a more compassionate and resilient individual. Tim’s lasting influence will always inspire me.”
A lasting legacy
In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Professor Topper was known for his warmth, humility and deep curiosity. He enjoyed sharing stories, spending time outdoors at his cottage and staying closely connected with his many friends and colleagues. His love of language led him to learn Portuguese, which he used to communicate with Brazilian collaborators and friends.
For Dr. Eduardo Martins Fontes do Rego, a Brazilian postdoc who worked closely with Topper in recent years, it was the personal connection that left the deepest impression. “He greeted me each morning with ‘Buenos días,’ eager to share stories, research, and life lessons,” says Rego. “His final words to me were, ‘Continue aprendendo’ — keep learning.”