Manfred Mackauer

Biography

We are sad to report the passing of Dr. Manfred Mackauer, a valued Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences who passed away on April 14th. Dr. Mackauer served as Chair of Biological Sciences from 1977-1982 and as Director of the Centre for Pest Management from 1982-1987. He retired from Biological Sciences in 1997.

Dr. Mackauer came to SFU in 1967 as one of a group of eight scientists from the Department or Agriculture Research Institute in Belleville who were integrated into the Department of Biological Sciences. In addition to his many teaching duties, Dr. Mackauer also served as vice-president of the Simon Fraser University Faculty Association (SFUFA) from 1969-1970, and from 1970-1971 he served as SFUFA's president.

Dr. Mackauer was renowned for his research on insect parasitoids and their role in biological control of agricultural pests, using aphids and their hymenopteran parasitoids as model systems to quantify parasitoid attributes and potential in biological control. During his tenure he was an avid publisher of his findings and was privileged to travel extensively to do his research, including repeated visits to Africa. One of the most memorable research trips was in 1968 during which over the course of 6 weeks he travelled to Russia, Japan and New Guinea, the latter having been partially closed to western visitors and modern development.

Over the years he welcomed many students to his lab, and many of them became friends who stayed in contact with him over the years. Dr. Mackauer and his wife Ingrid hosted many faculty and student dinners during this time, creating a sense of community for his international students who were often many miles away from family and friends.

In 1978 he became a Fellow of the Entomological Society of Canada, and in 1989 he won the Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement from the Entomological Society of Canada.

Dr. Mackauer was a respected colleague with a ready smile, sharp sense of humour and a willingness to be called into action to address department requirements. At home, he was supported by his loving wife Ingrid and his daughter Cornelia. He was an avid gardener, lover of antique maps, Inuit art and anything to do with numbers and statistics. After retirement he continued his work and spent many happy hours with his family. He will be deeply missed.