Ernest Charles Dalrymple-Alford

January 25, 1934- June 7, 2025

Our family is very saddened to share that our dad, Ernest, has died very unexpectedly but peacefully after a brief illness, with family at his side. He lived his life to the fullest up until the very end.

Dad was born in 1934 in Calcutta, India, growing up with his parents, Olive Grace (nee Kelly) and Ernest Elphinstone Dalrymple-Alford, along with his sister Elizabeth Connelly (Darrell), and his cherished cousin Pam Roze (Len), all deceased.

He started his teaching career early at a boys’ school in Calcutta, before moving to England with his family in his mid-twenties to continue his own education. There he earned both his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Psychology (subfield cognitive psychology) at Birkbeck College, University of London, all while working variously as a schoolteacher, a laboratory technician, and an accounts clerk for a Covent Garden firm.

During this time, he met and married Penny Dalrymple-Alford (deceased April 6, 2025). In 1963, they moved to Beirut, Lebanon, with their two young children: Susan Dalrymple-Fraser (husband John) and Jonathan Dalrymple-Alford. They continued building their family with the additions of David Dalrymple-Alford (wife Brenda), Mark Dalrymple-Alford (wife Paulette), and Keith Dalrymple-Alford. There Dad was a Professor of Psychology at the American University of Beirut, later serving as department chair.

In 1970, our family immigrated to Peterborough, Canada. Here, Dad taught in the Psychology Department at Trent University until 1972. Then, enticed by his long-time friend Dr. Harry M.B. Hurwitz (deceased), he continued his career teaching and researching at the University of Guelph. Dad was awarded tenure in 1973, and he served in multiple roles, including as Department Chair, Acting Dean for the College of Social Science, and Acting Associate Vice-President Academic. His research was published in several high impact journals and is still cited by researchers to this day. He consistently held himself and those he taught to very high standards. In 2007, he returned to Peterborough to be closer to family.

Dad had a deep passion for learning, teaching, and debating, often sprinkled with his dry humour and wit. He enjoyed sharing memories and adventures from his younger years — including the time he and his friend Sir Fredrick Crawford joined forces as the Birkbeck debate team, spending two months touring the USA, and ultimately winning the NUS-Observer National Student Debating Tournament.

His love of learning and genuine curiosity continued well into his retirement, spilling over to his countless other varied interests. Dad made regular use of “books to connect with the past and the internet with today” and made it his mission to learn as much as he could, whether about photography, politics, literature, calligraphy, fruit flies, contemporary academic research, or new ways to reconfigure his computer. His learning also carried into the kitchen, whether practicing new recipes for when it was his turn to cook Sunday dinner or studying how to brew the perfect cup of tea or coffee. And of course, he always had “a few” books and gadgets to show for it all!

Dad loved and cherished his family, including his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jeremy, Jaylynn (fiancée Steven, and his daughter Alivia), Alex, Nic, Trevor, Cea, Peter, Matt, Kate, Gin, and Elora (daughter of Matt and Amber), along with his nephews in England, Lindsey (Debbie), Nigel (Linda), Chris (Kath), and Shaun (Lynn), and great-nieces. He also leaves behind his cousin Eslyn Melhuish (Australia).

Dad will be dearly missed by all who loved him, both near and abroad.

He was extremely grateful for the care he received in his final days. Even during illness, he recognized and appreciated the excellent care, compassion, and good humour shown by the many PRHC support staff, nurses, and doctors in the Emergency Department and the Inpatient Medicine/Telemetry Unit. We would particularly like to express our gratitude to Dr. M. Wesolowski for treating Dad with great respect and letting him fully advocate for himself.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation has already taken place. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Dad will live forever in our hearts and memories.

Please kindly consider donating on his behalf to Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam Canada or Kawartha Food Share, Online condolences and memories can be shared at: www.ashburnhamfuneral.ca