In memory of Dr. Glenn Kirchner

May 15, 2007

On Sunday, April 1, 2007, the Faculty of Education lost one of its original members. Glenn Kirchner, who helped ensure the important role of elementary physical education curriculum in B.C. and North America and served the Faculty from 1965 to 1983, passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Glenn had an enormous impact on B.C. teachers, as well as, former faculty and school associates. He was the one who initiated the strong presence of physical education as an academic discipline at SFU in the form of a Physical Education minor back in the late sixties. He innovatively used film, video, DVD, and any form of technology to creatively complement his focus on elementary physical education curriculum concepts, resources and materials.

"Glenn was my friend and mentor," recalls Ian Andrews, Director of International Programs in the Faculty of Education at SFU, who met Glenn as a student in 1966. "He believed and wrote that we as teachers must be able to develop an education system that will create flexible, tolerant and self-directed learners. Learners who are broadly educated in the arts, sciences and technology and who posses the health and vitality to cope with a rapid ever-changing and immensely exciting world for the future."

Andrews adds that from the beginning of his career and over the next 55 years, Glenn's message never waivered.

Here, other current and retired faculty members share their thoughts in fond memory of a valued colleague:

"Glenn was one of the ‘original' PDP stalwarts, I'm sure that he will be remembered fondly by many - staff, students, and colleagues." - A.J. (Sandy) Dawson, education professor emeritus

"I arrived to SFU, almost thirty years ago, as a new faculty member surrounded by amazing colleagues who both welcomed and inspired. Glenn was one of them. He was humming with vitality and innovation. His deep connection with children and the importance of their games was so typical of his understanding of diversity and inclusion before they were words heard at the university. I remember him as being humble and generous and full of as much humour and wisdom." - Carolyn Mamchur, education professor.

"Glenn was a robust, productive, fun-loving member of faculty [that] his colleagues are sad to lose and will fondly remember." - Maurice Gibbons, education professor emeritus.

"Glenn's landmark work in the Faculty of Education took giant steps away from traditional physical education programs and broke new ground in movement education. As a result of his programs, hundreds of PDP graduates were better prepared to create physical education programs that are now standard for not only this province, but across Canada and the United States. Although centred in our Faculty, his eyes were on the improvement to physical education experiences for students in the schools. That goal he accomplished in exemplary ways. He was not only a fine teacher and scholar, but also a fine colleague. He cared about our faculty and about our students. He was approachable, decent, honorable, and he will be missed." - Selma Wassermann, education professor emerita.

Kirchner was mentor for many undergraduate, PDP and graduate students. He is survived by his wife Diane Kirchner and their four sons who were at his side when he passed away.