Ronald Brooks

Ron was a long-time member of the University of Guelph, joining (what was then) the Department of Zoology in 1969 and continuing to be active in research, outreach and conservation efforts long into retirement.

Beloved Partner to: Anne Cascanette

Loving father to: Payton Brooks and Jennifer Brooks

Predeceased by his parents Eric and Betty Brooks, Brother Douglas Brooks and his beautiful daughter Hilary Brooks

Ron was dedicated to conservation and the environment, he was passionate about many things, nature and captivating nature in his own photography, he was also a bit of a collector of paintings particularly works from local artists. He loved living amongst the trees. He was inspired and influenced by the works of Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands and admired the poetry and music of Bob Dylan, he was definitely Bob’s number #1 fan and everyone knew it! He started his long career at the University of Toronto where he completed his Masters of Science and became the Heavyweight Boxing Champion for the University Boxing team in 1962, he went on from there to complete his PhD at the University of Illinois in 1969.

Ron was truly a philosopher of biology, encouraged open dialogue, was open to confronting challenging topics, and enthusiastically led evidence-based discussions on a variety of subjects, he loved the debate. Further, Ron’s inspiring research program was ground breaking and his legacy will continue to have lasting impacts. In 1972, in Algonquin Park, Ron started what has become the world leading long-term study on turtle biology and conservation, it continues today as one of the longest-running research projects on vertebrates in the world. In honour of his significant contributions, Ron was awarded the prestigious Friends of Algonquin Park Directors Award in 2015; where he was honoured for his important work on turtle ecology and conservation in Canada, also for mentoring and educating many students and future champions for the environment. If you’re ever hiking the Mizzy Lake trail and around Wolf Howl Pond in Algonquin, stop to have a read of the fantastic interpretive display dedicated to him.

Ron was especially proud of his work on the conservation of Canada’s turtles, and specifically, that the Snapping Turtle is no longer considered "vermin" or a "game species," but

instead considered a species at risk, with widespread popular public support for its protection, this due to his research and tireless co-chair work on COSEWIC (Committee on Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) to get Snapping Turtles on the endangered species list. Ron’s expertise on turtle conservation and habitat was often consulted by people all over the world,

resulting in Ron receiving the Pritchard Turtle Conservation Lifetime Achievement Award for turtle conservation in 2022.

Ron had a love affair with Algonquin Park since he first visited the Wild Life Research Station at the young age of 19, it was the beginning of his passion for conservation and work he did to save the habitat of one of Canada’s most beautiful national parks. Ron fought the fight right up till he passed to educate and advocate to preserve the very important spaces and species and bring attentions to the effects of climate change on this planet.

His friends, colleagues, the email discussion groups, his family including Gladys Stephenson and his loving partner Anne will miss him in our lives and we want to celebrate his life and achievements at the University of Guelph Arboretum meeting space on Sunday January 14th at 1pm 2024, for discussion, stories, memories and laughter, because if you know Ron you know he had a wicked, healthy sense of humour. We look forward to seeing you there.

In lieu of flowers please support the Algonquin Park Wildlife Research Station https://www.algonquinwrs.ca/index.php/support-us/

Guelph Wellington Hospice or a charity of your choice

Donations and condolences can be made online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com

The family would like to thank the 5th floor Nurses and Doctors at the Guelph General Hospital and the nurses and staff at Hospice for their care and support not only of Ron but his family as well. You are very special people.

Arrangements entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, 252 Dublin St, N, Guelph. Private cremation has taken place.