The University of Alberta banner is flying at half-mast from May 17-19, 2021 in remembrance of Mr. Derek Roy-Brenneis, Director of the Office of the Chancellor and Senate.
Derek Roy-Brenneis
The University of Alberta is mourning the passing of a wonderful friend, family man and longtime director of the Office of the Chancellor and Senate, Derek Roy-Brenneis, on May 12. He was 54.
“As a person who is usually good with words, I’m finding it incredibly hard to find the right words to express the tremendous sense of loss all of us must feel,” said Peggy Garritty, U of A chancellor. “Derek brought incredible love, light, kindness and a gentle approach to everything he did.”
Derek was a proud alumnus of the U of A, graduating in 1988 with a bachelor of arts degree with a major in political science. However, his time at the university will be marked by his 17 years serving as director of the Office of the Chancellor and Senate.
In his role, Derek supported the activities of the U of A chancellor and senate, which included arranging for honorary degrees for convocation. He became the trusted behind-the-scenes face of the university for the world’s leaders and champions who were being welcomed into the U of A fold as honorary degree recipients.
And while his efforts around convocation were lauded by all who met him, Derek was especially proud of his work helping to establish and run the Senate’s U School, which aims to introduce and connect hundreds of students in grades 4 through 9 from socially vulnerable, Indigenous, and rural communities to the U of A.
Derek received the APO, FSO, MAPS, and Librarian Recognition Award for his extraordinary contributions to the university.
"When I think of Derek, it is impossible not to smile because he makes each person he interacts with feel like they are his only priority,” wrote one nominator for the award. “My guess is that he does not even realize that he is remarkable.”
Derek is survived by his wife Terri and his two sons, and his legacy of kindness will continue thanks to the Derek Roy-Brenneis Celebration Fund.
For information about lowering the University of Alberta banner, visit the In Memoriam webpage.