Bruce Earhard (Halifax, Nova Scotia) passed away quietly on April 23, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Marcia (nee Ozier) and their three children, Mark, Sean, (Brandie and 4-year old Shay), and Rachel.
Bruce was born and raised in Toronto and received his PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto, in 1965. The next day he and Marcia were married and they moved then to Halifax, where he spent his academic career at Dalhousie University, in the Psychology (and Neuroscience) Department, teaching mainly in the areas of Cognitive Psychology and Sensation and Perception.
In the early 1990s Bruce became a coauthor of a very special project: first Canadian Introductory Psychology textbook. There followed two more editions, after which many psychology textbooks studied by students in Canada included Canadian content.
Until the age of retirement, and for several years afterwards Bruce was the Chair of the Undergraduate Program in the Psychology and Neuroscience Department. For that work, in 1998, he received the Rosemary Gill Award for Outstanding Service to Students.
Bruce was an active member of the Dalhousie Faculty Association. His special interests were in the areas of pensions and benefits; he was engaged, particularly, at the time the pension plan was incorporated to the DFA Collective Agreement.
To colleagues, students and friends, Bruce was known as a fine person, quiet and compromising when need be, vocal and firm when need be. He had a special dry wit and a love of words that were both enjoyed by all. He was a wonderful listener and generous with his time. His concern for fairness was paramount in his work in his work on behalf of students and colleagues. He was the classic example of a really great guy.
Bruce was an avid reader and an avid walker. Between the hour of 12-1 on weekdays, he could be found striding along a regular route from the Life Science Building, along Spring Garden Road and back--in all four seasons.
As a father, it is a testimony to Bruce that, when all three of his children were saying their final goodbyes, each one began with these same words: “Thanks Dad for all the things you taught me how to do.”
Here’s a suggestion for those of you knew Bruce, and who would wish now to pay your respects. Take a breath, search your memories, thank Bruce privately in your thoughts, for his part in your life and for the things he taught you how to do.
Many thanks are owed those who provided treatment, care and comfort to Bruce over the last 15 months of his life, most recently the professional staff, nurses and attendants at Parkland at the Gardens, and previous to that the doctors and nurses at CampHill Hospital Ward 8.4, and much gratitude also to Dr. Derek Wilkie, Bruce’s oncologist for many years.
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