UBC’s Physical Education (Kinesiology) department spawned in 1973 a most extraordinary graduate in Gordon Diewert. Diewert would become a tenured Physical Education professor at UBC and a faculty member at SFU during the years 1978 through 1981, teaching courses in psychomotor learning and performance. Within that short three year period he would also be a founder of the Institute for Human Performance. His research, which included how motor learning and control varied with age, was designed to ultimately aid people with sensory challenges as well as developmentally challenged children. In addition, he studied the interaction of fitness with psychomotor performance.
Described as a prolific scholar with wide-ranging interests, Dr. Diewert also worked on issues such as reaction times in people who had been drinking. He was involved in the development of employment screening programs and was the author of several articles in academic journals.
Having played quarterback in high school, Diewert in 1970 and 1971 played Thunderbird football for legendary UBC coach Frank Gnup.
On April 28th, 1981, at the age of 30, Gordon Diewert died tragically when his car was hit by an impaired driver, killing Diewert instantly. Ironically, alcohol impairment just happened to be one of the areas in which he was conducting research.
Recently, Gordon Diewert’s family has created for UBC the Gordon L. Diewert Community Service Entrance Award, established to foster and promote the prevention of drinking and driving. UBC is proud to have been associated with such a devoted student and teacher and now devoted family.
Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian
