We are very saddened to announce that Dr Aftab Patla passed away on January 29, 2007, 8 months after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. Dr Patla was 54 years old.
Distinguished Career
Aftab was a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. He arrived at the University of Waterloo in 1982 and devoted his research and teaching career to the study of health, aging and human movement. He earned a B Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (1975), a M.Sc. Eng. in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick (1978) and a PhD in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University (1982). During his academic career he served as Executive Editor of the Journal of Motor Behaviour, Associate Editor of the journal Gait & Posture, President of the Canadian Society of Biomechanics and the International Society of Posture and Gait Research and on the Grant Selection Committees of NSERC and MRC. He travelled extensively to talk about his research and was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Otago, NZ and Pennsylvania State University. His passion for and creativity in research will live on through the many students he mentored (22 MSc, 25 PhD and 4 postdoctoral fellows) and his many research colleagues.
Many of the ISPGR members know Aftab’s wife, Guilda, who accompanied him to many conferences. Guilda sends her appreciation for the fun and friendship which you shared with them over many years.
Memorial + Condolences
A memorial service will be held in Dr. Patla's memory at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home Chapel, 621 King St. W., Kitchener on February 3rd, Saturday at 1 p.m. with Chaplain Paul Ellingham officiating. Donations to the UW Well-Fit may be made as expressions of sympathy through the funeral home 519-745-9495 or at www.ratzbechtelfuneralhome.com