In Celebration of

Iain George Currie

March 11, 1936 -  December 25, 2021

Peacefully, with family by his side, on Saturday, December 25, 2021 at his residence at the age of 85. Beloved Husband of Catherine. Cherished father of Brian, Karen, and the late David. Doting grandfather of Zander, Izabella, Bisola, Evan, Quinn, & Gwynne. Will be deeply missed by this brother Graham (Margaret). Dr. Currie obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, a Master’s degree from the University of British Columbia, and a PhD from the California Institute of Technology. He has taught fluid mechanics at the undergraduate and graduate levels at the University of Toronto since he joined the academic staff in 1966. During the period 1993 to 1998 he served as the Chair of the Department. This period includes the merger of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Industrial Engineering in 1996 to form the present Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Dr. Currie’s research involves fluid structure interactions, and recently he has become involved in studying low Reynolds number flows involving both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. He is the founder and Director of the Flow Measurements Laboratory, a facility which utilizes LDA and PIV flow measurement techniques. He is the author of the well-known graduate text entitled Fundamental Mechanics of Fluids, the 4th edition of which was published by CRC Press in 2012. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter “Neweduk-Erin Mills” Chapel, 1981 Dundas St. W. Mississauga (just east of Erin Mills Pkwy) on Friday, December 31, 2021 from 10 am until service time in the funeral home chapel at 11 am. Interment Springcreek Cemetery will take place prior to services. A special thank you to Dr. Lee & all the staff at the Oakville Cancer Clinic who cared for Iain over these last few years. For those attending the visitation & service, proof of full vaccination (QR code) is required, along with photo ID to confirm identity. Masks are mandatory and contact tracing information must be provided. If desired, remembrances may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Guestbook 

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Markus Bussmann 

Entered December 28, 2021

To the Currie family, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I have very fond memories of Iain, who I first came to know as "Professor Currie", when as a grad student in the mid 90s I took MIE1201, that I think was known as Fluids III at the time. I recall Professor Currie at the blackboard, taking his students through a very clear exposition of the mathematics of fluid mechanics, based on material in the first half of his wonderful textbook. Over the years I've heard more than a few MIE grad students from elsewhere mention that they too were properly introduced to fluid mechanics via Iain's Fundamental Mechanics of Fluids.

A few years later I was privileged to return to the Department of MIE at the U of T as an assistant prof, and in 2004 was asked to take over teaching that course. As you might imagine, that was both a privilege and a challenge, but made easier having Iain to rely on, plus his textbook, and my own class notes from a few years prior.

After Iain retired he continued to serve his Department of MIE, during the time of Jean Zu as Chair, in various ways, but especially as a tireless member of our Honours & Awards Committee, organizing many award nominations on behalf of colleagues. And so in 2017 Iain was named an honorary alumnus of U of T Engineering, one of just a few ever to receive that distinction. I fondly remember the reception at the Faculty Club.

Iain Currie was a distinguished teacher and professor, a generous colleague, and ultimately a good friend. His was a life well lived.

Markus Bussmann
Professor and Chair
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
University of Toronto

JoAnn Owen (Volunteer at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital)

Entered December 28, 2021 from Oakville, On

Dear Catherine and Family,
I am so sad to see the passing of your dear Iain. I will miss his friendly face in the clinic. He was the nicest, most soft spoken gentleman. My condolences on your loss. May his memory be a blessing.

Kamran Behdinan (Colleague)

Entered December 28, 2021 from University of Toronto, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

My sincere condolences to Professor Iain Currie’s family.

Iain was amongst the first to welcome me to MIE in 2011, and it was my honour to work closely with him on several projects - he taught me a lot in the process. He was a true visionary and his dedication and commitment toward the quality of his work was exemplary.
A great mentor and source of inspiration for all of us!

This is a big loss, and he will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kamran Behdinan

Pierre Sullivan and Ying Lu (Work Colleague)

Entered December 28, 2021 from Toronto

Please accept our condolences. I had the pleasure to know Iain over 30 years - first by reputation as a student and later as a departmental colleague. He was a thoughtful person who showed a genuine desire to help and advise new colleagues.

Darlene Lepp (Friend)

Entered December 28, 2021

Dear Cathy & family,
We are so sorry to hear of Iain’s passing. We hope the love of family & friends will help you in the days ahead. With our Love & Sympathy.❤️
The Lepp Family

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