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Robert was born on March 19, 1986 in Edmonton. He attended in succession Westbrook Elementary School, Vernon Barford Junior High School, Old Scona Academic High School and the University of Toronto, and was about to enter the final year of his undergraduate studies when he passed away on August 13, 2006.

I first knew Robert when he was about ten years old. His father brought him to my attention, and wanted to enroll him in my Mathematics Club which was intended for junior high school students. The program for that year was already winding down. So we had a few preliminary meetings and Robert formally registered for the Club the following year when he was in Grade 6.

He struck up an instant friendship with Richard Travis Ng who was a year older and lived in St. Albert. Together they worked on a problem from a Hungarian mathematics competition, and found an elegant solution which required very little technical background. This led to their first joint publication, a paper titled Zigzag which appeared in the Australian journal Mathematics Competitions. This paper was later translated into Hungarian and republished under the title Cikcakk in the journal Abacus.

Two years later, the two teamed up again and wrote a paper titled Minimizing Aroma Loss, which was published in the College Mathematics Journal in the United States. This led to an ill-fated television appearance on Access Channel in Alberta, and a successful public lecture during the Home-coming Weekend at the University of Alberta.

An important activity in my Mathematics Club is the participation in the International Mathematics Tournament of the Towns, a prestigious competition organized by a group of mathematicians in Moscow. Robert had won a coveted Diploma every year from Grade 6 to Grade 12.

Robert was equally successful in other competitions. He won the Edmonton Junior High Mathematics Contest in both Grade 7 and Grade 9, the first round of the Alberta High School Mathematics Competition in Grade 12 and the second round in both Grade 11 and Grade 12. He placed third in the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad in Grade 12.

He was on the Canadian Team for the International Mathematical Olympiad in Glasgow, 2002 and Tokyo, 2003, earning a Bronze Medal on each occasion. In 2003, he also made the Canadian Team for the International Physics Olympiad in Taipei, earning a Silver Medal.

At the University of Toronto, he distinguished himself by placing in the top ten in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition in each of his first two years, and in the top fifteen in his third.

Through competitions, Robert became very close to Alex Fink of Calgary. David Rhee, now at the University of Waterloo, and Jerry Lo, a Taiwanese student now finishing his high school in Edmonton, had both attended Vernon Barford Junior High School, and looked to Robert as a role model. In 2003, Robert stayed with Jerry in Taipei before the Physics competition.

Robert was the joint author with me and three other colleagues of a paper submitted for publication, and the joint author with me of a book as yet unfinished. It is now my painful task to complete it alone.

Robert was a soft spoken and mild mannered young man. Everyone who met him for the first time was always struck by his sweet smile and bashful politeness. While this might be a persona he was cultivating, the warmth underneath was genuine. Robert was kind hearted, and he always put other people's concerns before his own.

Robert might have looked frail, but he had good athletic abilities. He had a passion for nature. He was also quite learned in music and art. Robert was a well-rounded person, not just a one- dimensional math-whiz.

In Robert's passing, the human race has tragically lost a very nice and extremely intelligent young person. There was no doubt, based on his accomplishments so far, that he would have been a prominent mathematician of his time.

Take care and God bless,

I am saddened by the news of Roberts death. I am very sorry for your loss. I am in indonesia right now and will be unable to attend the celebration of Roberts life. I am touched by your invitation, thank you.

I remember robert fondly, as a happy and enthusiastic athlete. His intelligence and maturity were a great asset to our ski group. I remember one practice at the kinsmen centre. Robert was the only person who made it that day. I put him through a grueling workout, i'm not sure why. We ran so many stairs that day. He smiled the whole time. We had such fun running stairs and Talking. I think the practice even went long. Any way, I just remember what a pleasure it was to have him in the group. He brought such interesting conversation even when I made him run stairs. I'm glad I knew robert. Again I am so sorry for your loss.

Sincerely, Lorris Williams.

My family would like to express our heart felt sympathy for the loss of Robert. My youngest daughter Diana works in the math dept at the U of T and knew your son. We had been hoping and praying daily to hear that he had been returned safely to you.

Please know that Robert and your family are in our thoughts and prays.

Most sincerely, Gail Leonardo (Toronto, ON )

I am so sorry for your loss. Robert was an incredible man, truly gifted in every sense. I wish you the best in coping with this horrible loss. He will truly be missed. Justin Nasseri (Edmonton, AB ) (0ld Scona student the year behind Robert)

Iris, I am so sorry for your loss. May the good memories of the time you and and your family had Robert in your life help you to cope. I so prayed that the parents' worst nightmare would end well. I know you only from running with you and would like to offer to run with you when you are ready. It has helped me through losing several close family members, as you might remember. My sincere condolences to you, your husband and the rest of your family. Rita Hemmes-Davis (Sherwood Park, AB )

Robert Michael Barrington Leigh:

You left this world too soon!
The world needed you!
Your friends and family needed you!
You were a special, rare kind of person.

To Robert's friends and family:

Please don't be forever sad and heartbroken about Robert's death.

Robert would want everyone to go on with their lives.

Robert would want everyone to let go of the pain from his death.

Ikee (Toronto, ON )

Robert was my classmate for one year a year ago. Whenever I saw him again this past year, I couldn't help but think, what a pleasant person Robert is. This will be how we all remember him, as a pleasant friendly young man.

UT student

It is heart-breaking to think that Robert didn't get to do the things that he dreamed of doing in his life. What a loss! It is not only your loss.The whole world lost an exceptionally brilliant young man, who had a gift to make a big difference in the world some day.

Please accept our deepest sympathy.

Our thoughts are always with you.

Fernando family.
Sumudu, Miyuru, Angelo and Manel
Manel Fernando (Edmonton, AB )

My heart goes out to your family. The loss of a child is unbearable. I was hoping to help out by my phone call about Skunk Hollow but it was too late. Please know that my family cares about all of you and what you are going through and that Robert, your son, in his short life here on earth, made a difference to this world.

Penny Greenleese (Edmonton, AB )

I want to express my deepest condolences for your loss. Robert was a brilliant, beautiful young man. He was a classmate and a friend of mine at UofT and he will be missed each and every day. Some of us met on Tuesday to remember Robert: whether it was meeting in the dinning hall for dinner or chatting with him before class, he was always kind, polite and funny. May you cherish all the fond memories as I know I will.

Keely O'Farrell (Toronto, ON )

Take care and God bless,

Iris and family:

At the celebration service yesterday I was preparing myself to get up and share a couple thoughts about Robert, and so I will do it through email today.

My testament to Robert's friendship with Alex is that..... when together they broke a 'cardinal rule' of mathematics....for when they were together 1+1 did not equal 2 but some number much, much greater.....their sum was greater than their parts.

I ask myself (or anyone else) if I have a friendship so close that, when together I can set comfortably, in silence, for 55 minutes out of an hour....Alex and Robert did that frequently as they pondered things....maybe it is just that 'efficiency thing'....if you don't have anything worthwhile to say, say nothing.

As a geophysicist, I had nothing I could 'offer' Robert and Alex on an academic level, however, I have a terrible knack of making bad word puns (perhaps second only to Andy Lui), so I would intentional 'bait' the boys with a bad pun.......and they would respond indignantly and vociferously....as they both had an unbelievable grasp of the language, and took quick affront to hearing it abused. After they finished with me however, they would start to 'pun around' themselves with some 'proper', absolutely brilliant, funny word puns that put everything else to shame.............but they were so easy to bait.

On the 27 hour drive back from Berkeley, I had a lot of time to contemplate the events of the last couple weeks and I summarize it in two key thoughts:

The first is that the 'Divine' only very occasionally sends the world a special gift, Robert was such a gift. Now the most beautiful value in a gift is not its material form nor even its physical presence in front of oneself.....the value in a gift is the feelings that it evokes in the beholder......and so, I will always be a rich man for the love, laughter and awe that Robert will always evoke in me.

The second thought came out of the hours and hours that I raged about Robert's demise.....and what came to me, like a lightening bolt, was the thought that.............. in a way it doesn't really matter 'how we die'................ but what is absolutey crucial is 'how we live'........and oh, how I saw that Robert lived full on! He is my teacher.

All my love to you and your incredible family,

I am saddened by the news of Roberts death. I am very sorry for your loss. I am in indonesia right now and will be unable to attend the celebration of Roberts life. I am touched by your invitation, thank you.

I remember robert fondly, as a happy and enthusiastic athlete. His intelligence and maturity were a great asset to our ski group. I remember one practice at the kinsmen centre. Robert was the only person who made it that day. I put him through a grueling workout, i'm not sure why. We ran so many stairs that day. He smiled the whole time. We had such fun running stairs and Talking. I think the practice even went long. Any way, I just remember what a pleasure it was to have him in the group. He brought such interesting conversation even when I made him run stairs. I'm glad I knew robert. Again I am so sorry for your loss.

Sincerely, Lorris Williams.

My family would like to express our heart felt sympathy for the loss of Robert. My youngest daughter Diana works in the math dept at the U of T and knew your son. We had been hoping and praying daily to hear that he had been returned safely to you.

Please know that Robert and your family are in our thoughts and prays.

Most sincerely, Gail Leonardo (Toronto, ON )

I am so sorry for your loss. Robert was an incredible man, truly gifted in every sense. I wish you the best in coping with this horrible loss. He will truly be missed. Justin Nasseri (Edmonton, AB ) (0ld Scona student the year behind Robert)

Iris, I am so sorry for your loss. May the good memories of the time you and and your family had Robert in your life help you to cope. I so prayed that the parents' worst nightmare would end well. I know you only from running with you and would like to offer to run with you when you are ready. It has helped me through losing several close family members, as you might remember. My sincere condolences to you, your husband and the rest of your family. Rita Hemmes-Davis (Sherwood Park, AB )

Robert Michael Barrington Leigh:

You left this world too soon!
The world needed you!
Your friends and family needed you!
You were a special, rare kind of person.

To Robert's friends and family:

Please don't be forever sad and heartbroken about Robert's death.

Robert would want everyone to go on with their lives.

Robert would want everyone to let go of the pain from his death.

Ikee (Toronto, ON )

It is heart-breaking to think that Robert didn't get to do the things that he dreamed of doing in his life. What a loss! It is not only your loss.The whole world lost an exceptionally brilliant young man, who had a gift to make a big difference in the world some day.

Please accept our deepest sympathy.

Our thoughts are always with you.

Fernando family.
Sumudu, Miyuru, Angelo and Manel
Manel Fernando (Edmonton, AB )

My heart goes out to your family. The loss of a child is unbearable. I was hoping to help out by my phone call about Skunk Hollow but it was too late. Please know that my family cares about all of you and what you are going through and that Robert, your son, in his short life here on earth, made a difference to this world.

Penny Greenleese (Edmonton, AB )

I want to express my deepest condolences for your loss. Robert was a brilliant, beautiful young man. He was a classmate and a friend of mine at UofT and he will be missed each and every day. Some of us met on Tuesday to remember Robert: whether it was meeting in the dinning hall for dinner or chatting with him before class, he was always kind, polite and funny. May you cherish all the fond memories as I know I will.

Keely O'Farrell (Toronto, ON )

For the Barrington Leigh Family,

First off, we would like to say how immensely sad we are at the loss of Robert. We had all met Robert at some point in our lives through the countless math camps and IMO experiences that Robert had. We all mourn the loss of such a bright mind and friend. In remembering the times that we have each met Robert, and talking with others who have all met him, we realized the impact Robert has had. The amount of people that Robert has met over the course of his life in Canada, and around the entire world, has inspired us to create a website for him.

We would like to construct a website memorial for Robert, a place where people can view photos of him, read about him, remember him, and leave messages. Many many people wish to share Robert's impact on their lives.

Here is the link to the planned website, which has not been publicized yet. http://www.student.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~rfurmani/rbl With your permission, we would like to invite others to share their stories with the World.

Thank you so much for your time, once again, we would like to express our sorrow at the loss of such a wonderful person.

Sincerely,

Sarah Sun, Jennifer Park, Ralph Furmaniak, Elyot Grant

To the family of Robert Barrington Leigh:

The organizing committee of this day-long event to showcase ideas about a sustainable energy future wishes to express its sadness at this time, and its admiration for a family so capable, creative, and persistent in their search for their son.

We also wish to thank you for supporting and raising such a positive, bright, and generous individual. Robert was primarily behind ensuring a sucessful and engaging interactive booth on the part of the Hydrogen Design Team at our second annual fair. He was also instrumental in stimulating student involvement in our third fair, and was a rational and supportive voice in our committee.

Though you know this, we wanted to tell you that Robert was humble, earnest, and warmingly youthful in his attitude. You must know that while you are not alone in missing him terribly, you are also not alone in feeling wondrous at all that he accomplished in his young life.

respectfully,

The Sustainable Energy Fair Organizing Committee

Dear Barrington Leigh Family,

My name is Joanna Mantello. I lived in Wallace House with Robert a couple years ago.

When I saw that you had set up this account I knew that I had to write and express my condolences but I am now humbled by the fact that there is nothing I can say that will make this loss any easier to bear.

Robert was a kind man. Always smiling and undoubtedly brillant. Quiet but friendly. Please know that he will be missed. Robert was very much a part of Wallace House and the greater University Community.

Sincerely and Regretfully yours,

Joanna Mantello

Hello,

You don't know me, but I knew Robert. We worked together under Dr. Joe Repka this last summer. For Robert, it was an NSERC summer position. For me, it was my Master's project.

He was a great guy. Our group had 5 students, and I formed a very strong relationship with Robert. He was a talented mathematician. Brilliant and intuitive. The mathematical world lost someone special.

More than that though, Robert was a good friend. I am very sad that he died, and I will remember him.

Very hard to summarize my memories of Robert...without mentioning Stephen and Iris also. I am fond of them all.

Robert was the "star" student for me when I had him as a Cross Country Skiing student. He always did as he was told. In fact I used some "mathematics and physics" (Vector Analysis) when teaching him to improve his skiing ability. He never complained, just did it, often with a smile on his face. I recall he would nod or say "okay, makes sense to me." The dream student and quite a capable athlete. He (like the rest of the family) had that love for knowledge and the great outdoors.

I will cherish these memories.

Neil Lang

Dear Barrington Leigh family,

My name is Carla Gust and I was Stephen's band teacher at McKernan. I am so sorry for your loss of dear Robert and for your days of fear and confusion. When my aunt passed way, her minister read this poem at her funeral and it really stuck with me. I hope it gives you some peace.

Give Me Away

Give me away
When I die, if you need to weep
Cry for your brother or sister
Walking the street beside you
And when you need me, put your arms around anyone
And give them what you need to give me.

I want to leave you something
Something better than words or sounds.

Look for me in the people I've known or loved
And if you cannot give me away
At least let me live in your eyes and not on your mind.

You can love me most by letting hands touch hands
By letting bodies touch bodies
And by letting go of children who need to be free.

Love doesn't die, people do
So when all that's left of me is love
Give me away.

Anonymous

May you find peace in the days and years to come and please know how many people wish you well. Robert was happy and, "...had the world by the tail..." : he had a wonderful family, a great girlfriend, and studies he found meaningful and engaging. Who could ask for more?

Sincerely,

Carla Gust

Dear Friends of Robert,

I am immensely sorry to hear that Robert's body was finally found today. I remember Robert as an extremely brilliant student who excelled in classes I taught at UofT, including him coming top of my (tough!) class in General Relativity. It is a real tragedy for the field of mathematics that his brilliant career has been cut tragically short. I offer my condolences to all Robert's family members and friends.

With best regards,

Amanda Peet,

Associate Professor of Physics,
University of Toronto.

Dear Barrington Leigh family,

I work for EMS and Fire Rescue and was present today during part of the recovery process for your son, Robert. I want to express, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, our deepest sympathies for your loss. I hope that the wonderful memories you have of Robert help you through this very difficult time.

Nikki

Dear Barrington Leigh family:

Allow me to express my profound sympathy in your loss. I was a grade above Robert when we were at Old Scona Academic. Although I did not know him personally, I knew who he was and his responsibility to his work and the people around him. I had the utmost respect for him as a person and a great admiration for his achievements in mathematics. When I first heard that Robert was missing through the emails forwarded from his friends, I was very shocked because I knew it was not in his nature to make people close to him worry. I held out hope that he would return to you happy and well; thus, I was deeply saddened to hear of Robert's death. He will be missed by everyone who knows him, but the memories of Robert will continue to live on inside us.

I hope your family will remain strong during this difficult road ahead, as you have been throughout this terrible ordeal.

Please know you are in my thoughts,

David Lee

Dear Barrington Leigh family,

Over the past year, I have had the truly awesome privelege of knowing Robert and of serving with him on the exec of MU, our little course union. He was (how I wish I could say "is"!), as you know better than anyone, not just a scholar of the highest calibre, but a true gentleman and a true friend to everyone who knew him. For what little it is worth, let me offer you my condolences on your terrible loss. I will miss him, as will the rest of us here.

Sincerely yours,

Branimir Cacic

I am so sorry to hear Robert has gone, and this classmate of Robert of about two years at the University of Toronto, is saddened at his loss too. I think, we will all be missing his little chit-chats about the new mathematical problems he has managed to solve.

-- Steve Cheng

I live in Hazeldean and run regularly in the Millcreek Ravine.

When I saw the posters, I was really struck by the kindness in Robert's eyes.

I wanted to express my heartfelt condolences at your family's loss.

Today, when I went for my run, I touched each of the posters that I saw and said "goodbye" to the young man with the kind eyes.

You and Robert are in my heart today, and I will think of him on my runs.

Sincerely,

Kisa Mortenson

A friend in Edmonton sent me the sad news about Robert this morning. (I'm living in Hong Kong at the moment) I am shocked beyond words, but I want to offer you my most profound sympathy.

I hardly need say what a bright, cherry and delightful young fellow Robert was. I have many positive memories of him at OSA.

You will miss him deeply, and my thoughts are with you.

Most sincerely,

Grant Cameron

Dear Leigh's Family,

I had the honor the have met Robert at the University of Toronto, especially during the years in which we worked out together while trying out for the dragon boat team from University College. I am really sad to hear the news about his death. Robert was a great guy: enthusiastic, honest, funny, smart, and respectful. I can definitely say that I will miss him very much. I wanted to let you know that Robert and his family will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you peace in this stormy period in your lives.

Sincerely,

Marcelo Affonso

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Barrington-Leigh & Family,

Please accept my most heart-felt sorrow and thoughts of this news. Robert was one of my students in PHY225 (fall, 2005; I was his lab demonstrator). He was extremely hard working, easy to teach, and very independent in the lab. He usually sat quietely and only asked tough questions that typically stumped me! I remember giving him very high grades on all his labs I marked. I think he preferred theoretical physics over experimental physics, but was definitely gifted in both.

My thoughts are with your family, and best regards.

Sincerely,

Chris.

Dear Leigh Family,

I am a member of the UC waterdragons, a dragonboat team your son tried out for in 2004, and 2005. I'm deeply saddened to hear about Robert. Our practices are very demanding, and he was one to always show up early, work very hard and never to complain. He had a great attitude, smile, and I was actually quite surprised when he didnt make the roster the second year because he displayed all of the right qualities that we look for in selecting our team. He was a wonderful guy. I cannot begin to imagine the loss you are feeling, but if it means anything to you, our team is incredibly saddened and we will miss seeing his cheery smile at the gym and around our school.

Sincerely,

Kevin Armstrong

Dear parents and family of Robert:

I am a former coach of the Canadian IMO team.

I know that Robert was a wonderful young may with a bright future ahead.

I wish to send you my most sincere condolences and wish you much strength in the trying time ahead. You must remember all the good things about Robert - that is his lasting legacy to this world.

Sincerely

Bruce Shawyer

------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Shawyer, B.Sc., Ph.D., C.Math., F.I.M.A., C.Sci.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Memorial University of Newfoundland

**********************************

Many of you have already heard about the tragic death of our student Robert Barrington Leigh.

Robert was about to enter the fourth year of his undergraduate studies at Toronto, in the Specialist Programs both in Mathematics and in Mathematics and Physics. Robert disappeared on Sunday night, August 13, after leaving his family home in Edmonton by bicycle to look in on a local Folk Festival. His body was found on August 22 in the North Saskatchewan River, after an intensive search by family, friends and the Edmonton Police. Robert's family has set up a website, http://grad.econ.ubc.ca/cpbl/robert/, on which you can find further information about these events and a service celebrating his life to place Sunday, August 27.

Robert was an exceptional student in our Department. We got to know him quickly because he was already taking graduate courses by his second year. But we were impressed not only by his talent. Robert was an exceptional young person in every way -- always smiling and pleasant, polite, kind and helpful to his fellow students. He was very well-liked. Robert was shy and modest, despite his enormous abilities. We will miss him dearly.

Robert has won top awards at the University of Toronto and in several international mathematics competitions. We expected him to go on to graduate studies at one the the world's top universities, and to have a brilliant career.

A scholarship fund is being established in memory of Robert by the Departments of Mathematics and Physics. Donations (payable to the University of Toronto) may be sent to:

Robert Barrington Leigh Scholarship Fund
Office of Advancement
Faculty of Arts and Science
University of Toronto
100 St. George Street, Room 2032
Toronto, ON M5S 3G3

Please feel free to speak with me about the scholarship fund.

John Bland
Professor and Chair
Department of Mathematics
University of Toronto

My Deepest Sympathies to the friends and family of Robert. I met Robert briefly last March at the Toronto Airport as I was picking up Andy (Liu) as they were both arriving from the Gathering. I am a mathematics friend of Andy and he always spoke so highly of Robert. I was saddened to hear of his death. Please accept my condolences as the mathematics community has suffered a tremendous loss.

Tanya Thompson

My name is Shivani Chaudhry and I was a friend of Robert's since I met him in grade six. I have been having a very hard time dealing with this news and I miss Robert a lot already. I recently moved away from Edmonton but would like to come home for the weekend and attend Sunday's service. I would like to say to the Barrington-Leigh family that I am so sorry for your loss and also, something you already know - Robert was really special - ever since I met him he was so kind, gentle, helpful, and a true friend. He gave me a new appreciation for so many things, taught me so much about math and life and just touched my life in a very special way. When I think of Robert I really think of what a good person is and he gives me something to aspire to in my everyday life. I'm really sorry. See you on Sunday.

Best wishes,

Shivani

Dear Barrington Leigh family,

I was a high school classmate of Robert's and would like to attend the service on Sunday.

I feel terrible for what happened to Robert. The most wonderful thing about him was that even though he was so much smarter than us, he never looked down upon anyone. I'll always remember him as a smiling, kind, nice, funny guy. -- I'm so sorry.

Sincerely,

Shuo

Dear Barrington Leigh family and friends:

I wanted to convey to you some aspects of the bittersweet sensation of contemplating Robert's life, which has been so bright and so short. Let me also immediately state that I have been moved and heavily impressed by your efforts over the past 10 days. You are so caring, competent, thorough- you have done everything possible in the face of the terribly unexpected.

Sometimes it is difficult to imagine Robert's talents and his application of himself without becoming upset about the loss of his potential. I have learned only recently about the depth of his distinctive mathematical abilities, but this depth does not come as a surprise. Even through my limited interactions with him I understood that he was quick, yet careful; correct, yet humble and polite, never arrogant. He also seemed to in possession of an enormous and attentive curiosity. And in addition, a commitment to doing the right thing.

I encountered Robert through his involvement with the Sustainable Energy Fair at the University of Toronto. I first met him after he visited a high school with a friend of mine, Katherine Lei, to talk to younger students about renewable energy. I had been unable to attend but Katherine, with her energy, had brought her bright and friendly acquaintance Robert, who was clearly willing to try new things worth believing in. A year later, I remember coming away from a meeting about the Sustainable Energy Fair with Robert. He told me about the cheque that had been given to him along with all Albertans as a result of oil profits. He felt that somehow he should do something to compensate the many environmental effects of oil extraction and use, and wondered if he should perhaps donate it to our university event to finance its operations. I told him that this was a wonderful and responsible attitude to have, but that the fair could take care of itself. I suggested that he should give it a lot of thought, and told him of a few options to purchase renewable energy, or offset emissions, and that saving the money until he felt right about something might even be the most appropriate thing. I don't know what he would have decided to do, but I know that it would have somehow been determined out of his youthful outlook, his curiosity, and his developing sense of personal ethics.

In my mind, your son, your brother- he is present tense, an intent. Watchful, developing, eager to thank, to suggest the next bright thought but waiting for the right moment. I know that to you he is immeasurably more- an intimately known personality, a responsibility, a flood of memories, an everyday conversation. And now, denied you, altered. But what can any of us ever expect from the future? You never knew exactly what life he would lead, but you knew that it would be special and positive- and you were right.

Nothing is ever given wings just to sit still. Yet the more beautiful the bird, the more sharply missed, the more debilitating the loss- I am so sorry. All I can tell you is that besides an absence, there is also an expanding and nurturing presence of Robert's positivity- all the more wondrous for its independence and individuality. Know that the thoughts of many are with you as you celebrate Robert's life and grieve.

Yours sincerely,

Barry Rawn

My name is Robby Burko, a friend of your son Robert who shared many of his mathematics classes at the University of Toronto. I want to first express my deepest sympathy for your loss. It was only yesterday that I learnt of Robert's disappearance, and only now that I am learning of his passing. I have known Robert since he began at U of T. I was not his closest friend, but even so, through his unconditionally friendly demeanor and unique intellectual capacity he was able to brighten the lives of those around him, including myself. For whatever difficulty I had in class, he would not hesitate to give me a hand, and would study with me for tests, even though he would mostly just be relearning the material. I had the pleasure of taking a seminar course with Robert that consisted of only a small number of students, where I was able to see him lecture brilliantly on the topic of differential geometry. Robert was never judgmental, and always willing to lend a hand. There is no imaginable way that I can understand the toll that this day has taken on you, but I thought that you would want to know the kind of person your son Robert was while he was in Toronto. He will be missed dearly.

Sincerely,

Robby