It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that our friend and colleague, Dr. Eric Vatikiotis-Bateson, passed away on May 30th, 2017. As a teacher, researcher, writer, lab director, collaborator, administrator, supervisor, and mentor, he has deeply influenced all of our lives in many ways. Our department has lost a dear member and the field has lost a giant; he will be missed tremendously. Our thoughts and condolences are with all those who mourn him and especially his family at this difficult time. The BC and UBC flags (at the North Plaza of the Old SUB) will be lowered on Friday, June 2, 2017 in his memory.
“Eric Vatikiotis-Bateson’s research used cutting-edge and innovative signal processing techniques to examine the organization and structure of communication systems, particularly spoken language and music. In recent years he focused on the dynamics of coordination within an individual and across individuals in spoken language interaction and musical performances. His work on the visual dynamics of spoken language and speech articulation were landmarks in the field.” (http://ceremonies.ubc.ca/flag-lowering/)
An update from Laurel Fais, Janet Werker, and Richard Kurth:
Eric was an inimitable friend and colleague, and he loved his community of colleagues and students at UBC. Please join us at Roy Barnett Recital Hall at 2:00 pm on Saturday September 16, 2017, for a UBC gathering to remember him and celebrate his unforgettable vitality, brilliance, and personality. There will be words, music, and images to help us all share our memories of Eric, and time to connect and commemorate together, with both tears and smiles.
Please visit www.greatguyevb.com to find more information about the time and place, to RSVP, and to contribute your memories and images.
We look forward to gathering together in September: a time of year that Eric always greeted with energy and enthusiasm.
Please share this invitation with friends and colleagues near and far who knew Eric.
