Otfried Spreen

Otfried Spreen, Passed away November 29, 2015 at the age of 89. Predeceased by his wife Georgia in 2006; survived by daughters Stephanie Dand, Sonya Bates, Julia Balcom and son Thomas Spreen, as well as eight grandchildren.

Born in Bochum, Germany, Otfried served in the final months of World War II. After the war he studied at Bonn and Frieburg and achieved his PhD in Psychology in 1952 at the age of 26. He met Georgia in St. Louis in 1957 and they were married in 1959.

In 1967 Otfried began his long tenure at the University of Victoria, where he was instrumental in building the Psychology department. A pioneer in the field of neuropsychology, Otfried authored and co-authored hundreds of journal articles and wrote several academic books. He received many honours and awards during his remarkable career. In addition to being exceptionally intelligent, Otfried was a kind, gentle, modest and unassuming man.

As a father he encouraged his children to think for themselves and was supportive of whatever they chose to do. He possessed a wonderful combination of quiet confidence and natural humility. Otfried was cremated after a small family ceremony as per his wishes.