SFU celebrates the life of Steve Whitmore
Obituary: Steve Whitmore, April 27, 1955 – November 7, 2019
SFU engineering science senior lecturer Steve Whitmore passed away on November 7. Whitmore had been a part of the School of Engineering Science (ENSC) since 1992 and was a favourite among his students and colleagues. A Celebration of Life event will be held on November 20 at 4:00 p.m. in TASC1 9204 on SFU's Burnaby campus.
An expert in technical communications, Whitmore co-founded the ENSC writing/communications courses and program that have been a central part of the school. This key piece of the curriculum helps ensure SFU’s engineering students graduate with communication skills that set them apart from peers in the field.
Whitmore published several guidelines and handbooks for professional communication in technical and non-technical fields. He co-authored the textbook Strategies for Engineering Communication, which is used in courses at SFU and other post-secondary institutions.
A beloved instructor, Whitmore was always finding ways to put a smile on the faces of his students. He made his classes engaging, and would collaborate with colleagues to create new opportunities for students to put their skills into practice. His dedication to his work was evident – even when he was battling an illness, his primary focus was on ensuring that students in his class were being supported in his absence.
Whitmore was an integral part of the SFU’s engineering science community for more than 27 years, and will be deeply missed by everyone.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE: STEVE WHITMORE
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
TASC1 9204, SFU Burnaby
Steve Whitmore (right) with fellow ENSC senior lecturer Michael Sjoerdsma (left) in costume at the Faculty of Applied Sciences' Back to the Future 30th Anniversary event, and SFU's 50th Anniversary event (2015).
Steve Whitmore evaluating his scores as a judge at the 2017 Faculty of Applied Sciences' undergraduate student competition. Whitmore helped design the competition which has now become an annual event.
Steve Whitmore was known for implementing unique pedagogical techniques in his classes. Here he is delivering a lecture in his ENSC 803 course, where he uses Garfield and Bill the Cat to illustrate the critic and creator in the writing process.
Steve Whitmore was known for implementing unique pedagogical techniques in his classes. Here he is delivering a lecture in his ENSC 803 course, where he uses Garfield and Bill the Cat to illustrate the critic and creator in the writing process.
Steve Whitmore (right) with ENSC colleagues at John Bird’s retirement party (November 19, 2014).
Steve Whitmore (right) with fellow ENSC faculty members Glenn Chapman, John Bird and Andrew Rawicz at Bird’s retirement party (November 19, 2014).
Steve Whitmore, in costume, preparing to get into the "time-traveling" DeLorean at the Faculty of Applied Sciences' Back to the Future 30th Anniversary event, and SFU's 50th Anniversary event (2015).
Steve Whitmore (third from right) as a member of the organizers and judges at the 2017 Faculty of Applied Sciences' undergraduate student competition.
Steve Whitmore (front row, right) as a member of the organizing committee of the 2019 Faculty of Applied Sciences' undergraduate student competition.
Steve Whitmore (right) with fellow ENSC faculty member Michael Sjoerdsma at the ENSC Christmas lunch in the Diamond Alumni Centre (December 15, 2010).
Steve Whitmore participating in panel and roundtable discussions hosted by SFU's Teaching and Learning Centre (2017).
Steve Whitmore (right) talking with fellow ENSC faculty member John Bird at the Faculty of Applied Sciences BBQ (June 26, 2014).
Steve Whitmore (left) with fellow ENSC senior lecturer Michael Sjoerdsma (right) in costume next to a DeLorean at the Faculty of Applied Sciences' Back to the Future 30th Anniversary event, and SFU's 50th Anniversary event (2015).
Steve Whitmore (left), one of the organizers of the 2019 Faculty of Applied Sciences' undergraduate student competition, pictured alongside the student winners, judges, and fellow members of the organizing committee.