With profound sadness the family of John William Bandler announces his passing on September 28, 2023. Beloved husband for over 32 years of Beth Budd Bandler, and devoted son-in-law of Sybil Cohos. Loving father of Lydia Bandler Martin (Graham) and Zoe Bandler Belvedere (Dan), and proud granddad of Eric, Matthew and Colin Martin, and Una and Sam Belvedere.
John was an engineer; internationally renowned teacher, researcher, and inventor; a world traveller; art and opera enthusiast; accomplished playwright; avid photographer; Ping-Pong and chess playing granddad, happy to lose a game to the younger generation; and dedicated colleague, friend and mentor to the many people whose lives he touched.
Born in Jerusalem during World War II to Jewish refugees from Vienna, John grew up in Cyprus and completed his schooling and university in London, England. He came to Canada in 1967 as a Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Manitoba, joined McMaster University as an Associate Professor two years later, and then went on to become Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. He published over 500 technical papers and is known internationally for having invented space mapping technology and making significant contributions to device modeling, computer-aided design, microwave engineering, mathematical optimization, and yield-driven design.
John received many Canadian and international awards for his scientific work. A Fellow of several engineering societies and the Royal Society of Canada, he was awarded the Professional Engineers Ontario Gold Medal. In 2016 he was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada after having been honoured with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Even during his later years, as Professor Emeritus in McMaster’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, he continued to mentor students and attend international academic conferences. He also continued to actively write, produce, and direct plays for the Hamilton Fringe Festival.
John’s family would like to thank Dr. James McMillan, Dr. Richard Scott and Cantor Paula Baruch who all showed John extraordinary care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in John’s memory to Temple Anshe Sholom, 215 Cline Avenue North, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4A1, or to your favourite charity.
Funeral will be at The United Hebrew Memorial Chapel, 28 Ewen Road, Hamilton on October 2, 2023 at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Stanley Sobol Beth Jacob Cemetery, 1400 Snake Road, Burlington.
It’s shocking to hear the bad news. We met on a Zoom meeting less than one year ago in celebration of his 80th birthday.
I was one of his Ph.D. students. He changed my life in some many ways.
RIP
Dear Jian Song
Thank you for your kind message. I hope you continue to benefit from John’s words of wisdom. John enjoyed teaching students and seeing them flourish.
Best of luck
Beth Bandler
So sorry to hear about John. I always enjoyed his office visits when I worked in ECE. His humour and enthusiasm will be missed! Sending my deepest condolences.
Dear Kerri
Thank you for your message.
Beth Bandler
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Bandler at McMaster University. He was a great mentor. My condolences.
Our deepest condolences to Beth and family for John’s loss.
John was an extraordinary person, a renaissance man! We were enriched by his life, many talents, and friendship. We cherish the many wonderful memories together. We are very saddened by his passing.
Eleni and Nick
Thank you Eleni for your kind message.
Beth Bandler
John was a sweet, kind, brilliant and creative person. I’m honoured to have known him and will always remember him and send my deepest condolences to his family.
I am so sorry to learn about John’s passing. He was one of the most generous, gracious, and encouraging people I have ever met. John shared his talents and enthusiasm with our students in so many ways with 3MT, GradFlix and even Valedictorian. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Catherine
Thank you for your message. your words bring comfort.
Beth Bandler
Beth,
Please accept my deepest condolences. May the special memories you and John made together help you through this difficult time. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.
My condolences to Beth and John’s family. John’s name was synonymous with enthusiastic support of all things theatre and he gave generously with his praise. A mutual friend, Tom Mackan, will welcome him with open arms in Theatre Heaven, that is for sure.
Godspeed. – Dia Frid
Our sincerest sympathy to you, Beth and to your family.
May you always remember the good times.