Obituary of Dr. Eric "Ric" David Soulis, P. Eng.

Ric Soulis, a longtime professor in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, passed away on June 21, 2018 after a brief illness.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carol Amrell Moogk-Soulis, their sons Neal (Melissa) and Graham (Michelle) and their son Brendan. Also survived by his brother Glen (Helen); sisters Mary and Christine (Jamie); and by numerous nieces, nephews, and their children. Predeceased by his mother Kathryn Josephine Colwell (2002) and his father George Nichol Soulis (2018), and an infant brother (1951).

Ric was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up in Kitchener, Ontario. He attended Eastwood Collegiate Institute, the University of Waterloo, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. After ten years of working in industry throughout Canada, he returned to the University of Waterloo where he received a PhD in 1988, the same year that he began a career teaching and researching hydrology and related fields. Ric recently celebrated his 30th year of working at the University of Waterloo, and he had no intention of retiring until he achieved specific teaching, research, and service goals.

He was a popular teacher and mentor for undergraduate and graduate students, family, friends, and colleagues. Ric believed and lived his faith commitment to love and serve others without reservation, or thought of self. He also lived his promise to seek justice and resist evil wherever he encountered it around him. His door was always open, as were his ears and heart. He never betrayed a confidence, and could cut to the heart of a problem, personal or scientific, with laser-like precision.

A visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday, June 27 from 2:00-4:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm. A funeral will be held at Emmanuel United Church, 22 Bridgeport Rd W, Waterloo, on Thursday, June 28 at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow.

Memorial donations to the Ric Soulis Memorial Endowment Fund through the United Church of Canada Foundation or to Engineers Without Borders may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.