Dear colleagues,
We wanted to share the sad news of the passing of Professor Emeritus Ian Housego on May 19th, 2025. As Bill Bruneau, fellow Professor Emeritus, kindly wrote:
“Ian Housego (1931-2025) was a Professor of Administrative, Adult, and Higher Education at UBC from 1967 until his retirement in 1994. Professor Housego–known as “Ian” to most of us–arrived at UBC after a four-year appointment at the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Educational Administration. He had previously been a teacher and school principal in Saskatchewan, but became a keen researcher in educational administration in the 1950s and early 1960s, taking a doctorate in that field at the University of Alberta.
Ian was editor and writer of well-received articles and books in the field of educational studies particularly in Canada. His UBC teaching and research careers put him in touch with undergraduates, graduates, and alumni in Vancouver and across B.C. more widely. Between 1970 and 1994 Ian took a variety of leadership roles in the UBC Faculty of Education, thus getting to know even more people. His enthusiasm for broadly liberal education was infectious–and his influence in B.C. education was considerable.
UBC faculty members will recall the death in May 2024 of Ian’s wife, Billie J. Housego, longtime member of the UBC Department of Educational Psychology.
Ian is survived by his daughter Joellen Housego and son-in-law Timo Salonen.”
Ian’s legacy will be remembered by the whole EDST community with admiration and deep gratitude.
Thank you for your attention.
André Mazawi
EDST Head
Dear Colleagues,
We are saddened to share the passing of Dr. Ian Housego, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Educational Studies (EDST). A respected scholar, devoted educator and cherished colleague, Dr. Housego made a lasting impact on his colleagues, the field of educational administration and the broader education community. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 19, 2025.
Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in 1931, Dr. Housego began his career as a teacher, principal and school supervisor. He earned a BA and BEd from the University of Saskatchewan in 1954, followed by an MEd (1958) and a PhD in Educational Administration (1965) from the University of Alberta.
After faculty roles at the University of Saskatchewan, he joined UBC in 1967 as an Associate Professor. Following a term with the Alberta Human Resources Research Council (1968–70), he returned to UBC, where he remained until his retirement in 1994, just as the Department of Educational Studies was formally established.
Dr. Housego’s research was driven by a deep commitment to supporting public school teachers, focusing on personnel administration, instructional supervision, education policy and teacher education. In 1991, he was honoured as one of only two recipients of the Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration’s inaugural Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Housego’s academic and administrative contributions to the Faculty and community were extensive. He taught and mentored generations of graduate students, led and participated in key teacher education and educational administration programs and served on the Canadian Journal of Education editorial board for over a decade. He was also deeply engaged with a wide range of organizations and government entities, working collaboratively to inform and shape educational policy.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Dr. Billie E.J. Housego, Associate Professor Emerita in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), who passed away in May 2024. Ian and Billie were long-standing supporters of the Faculty of Education, generously contributing to initiatives such as the Faculty of Education Bursary, Education at Ponderosa Commons, the UBC Museum of Anthropology and the Association of Professors Emeriti. He is survived by his daughter, Joellen Housego, who shares her parents’ passion for education as a public-school teacher, and son-in-law, Timo Salonen.
As Joellen shared, one of his final acts was casting a vote in the federal election, which he did with great effort and conviction to uphold the progressive values he and his wife championed throughout their lives.
To honour Dr. Housego’s memory, the British Columbia, Musqueam and UBC flags will be lowered. For details, please visit the Protocol, Ceremonies and Events website.
The Faculty of Education extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Housego’s family and all who were touched by his extraordinary life and legacy.
With sympathy,
Jan