Silvers, Ronald Jay
RONALD JAY SILVERS
OCTOBER 19, 1933 – MARCH 4, 2013
Ron was a researcher, scientist, and artist. His works allowed him to explore widely and globally. He was a true seeker, reluctant to make judgments unless fully justified. He held all life to be precious. He organized for and against political issues, yet was a quiet, compassionate, and gentle man. He believed in wonder and committed his life to social justice. Summer stays in villages and monasteries on the Tibetan Plateau transformed him, as did his development work in education with Tibetan colleagues in China. The former yielded his photographic essay “Pause on the Path” in book form. Ron published about existential inquiry, children’s culture, awareness and seeing, and the art of the tree. His non-digital photographs, printed by himself, of the Arctic and the Antarctic landscapes, and of trees in Toronto, have been exhibited across Canada. He loved the immense prairie horizons and their skies. Ron was born in New York City. He received his doctorate degree in sociology from Princeton. His academic career was fulfilled at the University of Toronto where he left his mark on phenomenology and on interpretive human studies. In the last month of his life he suddenly became ill and was diagnosed with a terminal condition. He indicated that he wished to use his remaining time absorbing beauty. He retreated into solitude at home to do this. Former students and his friends remember him as being unpretentiously profound. Vivian Darroch-Lozowski, his companion and wife for half his lifetime, survives him. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director. 693-4550.
My condolences to Vivian and Ron’s friends and colleagues. I remember the meetings Ron’s research team would have on the third floor of his house and interspersed in the conversations would be brief speculations about whether something would float or sink in the water in the sink. His legacy will inspire many.
I only met Ron during the latter part of my own dissertation journey, naturally through Vivian (my advisor). Captivated by his love for trees and his sensitive recording of Toronto’s trees, he was gracious to donate one of his photographs to me. I have it proudly displayed in my office to this day.
Toward the final months of my dissertation, Vivian and Ron welcomed me to visit their Toronto residence. We shared experiences, thoughts, and food. I cherish these.
I extend my condolences to his partner Dr. Vivian Darroch-Lozowski, who profoundly altered the course of my own life, through the world of phenomenology, Heidegger’s works, and her own writings, thinking, and art work.
Thank you Ron and Vivian