Former Ryerson School of Journalism chair Don Obe dies

By Jackie Hong

Former Ryerson School of Journalism chair Don Obe has died. He became the chair in 1983 and retired in 2001, at which point he became a Ryerson professor emeritus of magazine journalism.

Obe died at Toronto General Hospital on Nov. 7.

Obe, a Ryerson graduate himself from the class of 1959, founded the Ryerson Review of Journalism in 1984 — which is now an award-winning magazine that focuses on issues in Canadian journalism. He also served as editor in chief of The Canadian magazine and Toronto Life, and as associate editor of Maclean’s.

The news of his death prompted an outpouring of messages on Twitter from Ryerson journalism faculty and former students, who praised his contributions to the school.

If there is one thing I learned from my profs at Ryerson, it was this: Do journalism passionately. Don Obe’s torch burns bright in our hands

— yumke (@yumke) November 8, 2014

Sad, sad news: Don Obe has died. He was a legendary journalist, a much-loved mentor, a true character, a great guy and a friend to so many

— Tim Falconer (@timfalconer) November 8, 2014