The Brock community is mourning the passing of Ken Klassen (BAdmin '87), Professor of Operations Management, who will be remembered for his integrity and compassion.
Klassen passed away on Saturday, June 13 and is survived by wife Anita and children Jared, Larissa, Caleb, Benjamin and Josiah.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a dedicated colleague, passionate educator and good friend," said Goodman School of Business Dean Barry Wright. "He lived with decency, kindness and a generosity of spirit that touched many lives. We are all better for knowing him, and he will not be forgotten."
A Brock graduate, Klassen returned to the University in 2002 as a faculty member. He served as Chair of Goodman's Department of Finance, Operations and Information Systems (FOIS) from 2019 to 2023.
His most visible impact on the School, however, was his work as project lead for both the Goodman School of Business Building Addition and Renovation project and the MCA 200 level renovation that created the Goodman Student Success Centre.
"His leadership helped shape spaces that bring students together and support their success. His vision and commitment have created a lasting legacy that is woven into the very fabric of Goodman," Wright said.
Current FOIS Chair Anteneh Ayanso says Klassen is the reason he came to Brock. After meeting at a Decision Science conference in Washington, D.C., Klassen connected Ayanso with his colleagues in Information Sciences.
"That gesture reflected the generosity and collegiality that defined him throughout his career," Ayanso said. "Ken was a deeply respected senior colleague, mentor and friend whose impact on Goodman and Brock will endure for years to come. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him."
His significant contributions to operations management research primarily focused on improving delivery of health-care services. His work examined how to reduce flow times and waiting times, including outpatient appointment scheduling to reduce patient waiting. His research also looked at ways to make campuses and classrooms better places to work and study and ways to improve student learning.
