It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of one of our legendary and deeply respected colleagues and friends, Roy I. Brown. Roy passed away peacefully with his beloved daughter Elizabeth and son Michael at his side in his home in British Columbia, Canada on 8th May 2025.
From an early age, Roy was dedicated to leaving a lasting imprint on society. His ambition to become a psychologist was thwarted initially because he was considered too young at the time. Consequently, in 1954 his first degree was in botany.
Soon after, he gained B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology, and a postgraduate Certificate in Abnormal Psychology at the University of London. Providentially, through his practicum placements, he met Alan and Ann Clarke who were researching the initial deinstitutionalisation of large residences for people with intellectual disabilities in the U.K. Roy was immensely proud of having the opportunity to work as Alan’s assistant, proofing and checking several papers written by Alan and Ann.
At the time Alan was one of the architects of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Mental Deficiency (IASSMD, now IASSIDD) which gave Roy the opportunity to attend the 1960 London Conference on the Scientific Study of Mental Deficiency, a precursor to the 1964 Congress held in Copenhagen that led to the birth of IASSIDD.
Roy was also mentored by Philip Vernon, the legendary Professor of Psychology at the University of London. Vernon’s work on the nature of intelligence undoubtedly had a strong influence on Roy’s subsequent research and teaching career.
Roy’s first paper was a joint article with the Clarkes published in the British Journal of Psychology in 1960. Other papers, with an emphasis upon teaching strategies followed. His first of many books was Psychology and Education of Slow Learners, published in 1976 and recently republished by Taylor & Francis. His many books and numerous book chapters and journal articles are a testimony to the enduring relevance and enormous influence of Roy’s life work.
Roy, as a research Fellow at the University of Bristol, established reading clinics for people with cognitive difficulties. He subsequently moved to Calgary, Canada as Director of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI) and as a Professor in the University, setting up a disability studies program with bachelor, master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Roy’s mentorship of higher degree students over his long career was outstanding, and led to a great many life-long friendships with former students worldwide.
During his time at Calgary, and together with his beloved wife and research partner, Mary, their teaching and supporting families in Gaza is testament to their deep commitment to families that have a member with a disability. This is also evident in Roy’s sterling work with people with Down syndrome, a highlight of which was his initiative to form a Special Interest Research Group within IASSIDD.
One accomplishment of which Roy was particularly proud was his work as the founding Director of the IASSIDD Academy. During his eight-year tenure in this volunteer post, he helped initiate and conduct, along with his close allies Matthew Janicki and Giorgio Albertini, numerous workshops worldwide that represented the practical and applied side of IASSIDD’s scientific study.
Roy’s final career appointment was Dean and Foundation Chair of Special Education at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, where he revitalised a strong research base with Ph.D. and master’s programs. Here he was also in demand to provide advice on state and national disability policy matters.
During his retirement years and even in his last months, as he struggled with illness, Roy was an indefatigable contributor to a variety of community organisations in his local district of Shirley on Vancouver Island in Canada.
Roy’s life was one of a deep commitment to the essential humanity of all people. His last conference paper entitled: Humanization – Humanistic Perspective for Supporting the Quality of Life of Adults with IDD – The Holistic Support Model, presented to the 2024 IASSIDD Congress in Chicago is so indicative of his commitment, compassion and deep regard for people with developmental disabilities worldwide.
Many honours and awards have been bestowed upon this eloquent communicator, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ghent, for his distinguished scientific research in disability studies, the Dr. Robert E. Cooke Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry and the IASSIDD Distinguished Service Citation.
Roy’s passing will leave an immense gap in the lives of so many people who respected and indeed loved him for the way he reached out, embraced people and enriched their lives.
Vale dear friend.
Trevor Parmenter