On June 1st, 2021, retired professor and community volunteer Noel Veitch peacefully passed away. He taught in the Faculty of Education for 30 years and is a former University Marshal of Convocation. Veitch was known by many to be kind and gentle with a good sense of humour. Students knew him to be supportive and encouraging.
Veitch was also a music lover; he was a founding member of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and was involved for over 40 years as a musician and board member.
After retirement, he spent much of his time doing volunteer work. Veitch was the coordinator of the MUN Campus Food Bank for many years that he founded. He also volunteered with the Victorian Order of Nurses’ (VON) Meals on Wheels program.
Veitch also served on the Board of the Red Cross and helped new Canadians with accommodation and language instruction.
The VON coordinator states about Veitch, “He does so much good work and is so quiet and unassuming. Put my name down for him anytime.”
When Veitch’s wife was asked how much time her husband spends doing volunteer work, she states, “Eight days a week.”
Veitch was awarded MUN’s Volunteer Award for Exemplary Service and Alumnus of the Year Award. Veitch was also a recipient of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award.
“His engagement with students was sincere, and his presence greatly enriched the Education faculty,” states Bryce Hodder, who Veitch taught in 1973.
Tim Power, who was enrolled in one of Veitch’s Oral Communications courses back in the early 80s, states, “He inspired confidence in us all as he shared his many tricks about the art of communicating and presenting in front of others. He cared, and it showed.”
Former student Thomas Oates states, “He was one of the nicest, friendly, approachable professors I ever meet. His dedication to the lives of his students and the university is an example that so many can live by.”
Matt Barter is a third-year student in the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.
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