Norman Endler – Service today

Norman Endler (left), York distinguished research professor (emeritus) and a founding member of the Department of Psychology, passed away Wednesday in hospital after a brief illness.

A funeral service for Prof. Endler will be held at 1pm today at the Steeles-College Memorial Chapel, 350 Steeles Ave W. The phone number there is 416-733-2000.

Among his many honours, Prof. Endler received the Donald O. Hebb Award in 1997, the highest honour of the Canadian Psychological Association. In 1995 he was named distinguished research professor and in 2000 he received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Research from the Faculty of Arts.

The following tribute was written by York Professor Fred Weizmann, Chair, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts.

Norm was a member of the founding generation at York. He joined the University as a research associate and lecturer in 1960, and was one of those who helped influence and shape the new University.

He remained affiliated with York for the rest of his career, was promoted to the rank of full professor in 1968, and maintained his involvement with the Psychology Department and the University even after he retired in 2000.

Known for his contributions to personality research, especially in the fields of anxiety, stress and coping, Norm was one of the most distinguished Canadian psychologists of his generation. He possessed an international reputation, was the author of numerous books and articles, served on the editorial board of some of the most respected journals in the field, and was a frequent consultant to various granting agencies.

Norm held visiting appointments at several major universities in the US and Europe, and was the recipient of numerous honours, including a Killam Research Fellowship 1987-1989. At York, he served as Chair of the Department of Psychology/Arts from 1974 to 1979, and was appointed a distinguished research professor emeritus in 2000.

A prominent and well-known figure at York, Norm’s influence extended beyond the Department of Psychology. To those of us who knew Norm, York will not seem the same without him.

Norm is survived by his wife Beatrice, his son Mark, his daughter Marla and three grandchildren.