Tony was a terrific teacher and, I'm sad to be so late in hearing about and acknowledging his passing. He was such an excellent thinker and motivator and he was, without a doubt, the single biggest intellectual force not only at SFU's Communications Dep't but the whole university. He inspired me with the admonition that the biggest flaw in doing intellectual work is to not go deep or far enough. I was sad to see him go to SD State.

Sad to hear of the passing of a great pedagogic communicator who sparked my imagination and interest in language, system and structure.

I was an undergraduate and wandering the stacks of my university library when I stumbled on a title that immediately grabbed me: System and Structure. I devoured Wilden's collection of essays and it sparked a lifelong appreciation for systems thinking, semiotics, and analog/digital typing. Nearly 15yrs on and I still consider his work to be among the most impactful to me and in my top 3 most influential works.

I contacted Anthony in 2013 and we spoke briefly about our shared passion for flying. I was never able to develop a relationship with him but I am glad I could let him know something of the mark his work left on me.

Someone here mentioned wanting to give a collection of his works to a good home. If this is still on offer I'd be glad to volunteer. I plan to introduce my young daughter and future children to his books as they get older.

My sympathies to his family and close friends at the loss of this great man and intellect. I wish I had paid my respects sooner but better late than never!

As Tony's first cousin, I am fortunate to possess a number of his signed publications. As I am eighty this year, I am thinking to whom I could gift them as a close friend in Canada or the United States, would seem to me to be the best answer. I have read Lisa's comments and wondered whether she would appreciate being the recipient? Could her attention please be drawn to this comment? Of I could receiver her email address, I could offer the books to her myself.

Goodbye my friend I am so honored to have known you for over 30 years. I am so grateful to have shared many conversations and memories with you in your last years on this planet. You were always full of spunk and surprises. I will never forget the plane ride we took for Geoff s 8th birthday what a wild ride RIP my friend.  Love Lisa Shaw 

I'm so sorry to hear that Dr. Wilden has passed. I thought of him as a mentor, during my time at Simon Fraser. He had a singular intellect and a big heart. He could rub people the wrong way, but I know he wanted the best for all humanity. His perspective wasn't limited by conventional thinking: he questioned even his own fondest ideas and was not afraid of major revisions in thought and theory. I was told once, by a teacher of English, that he'd been at a conference on Post-Structuralism (when that was a big thing) at which both Foucault and Derrida were in attendance. He said that the majority of people there were more excited to hear Dr. Wilden. He will be missed. 

OBITUARY

Anthony George Wilden

14 December, 1935 – 29 December, 2019

First Memorial Funeral Services & Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens

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