John Laurier Van Esterik, a retired York University social science and anthropology professor, passed away under the compassionate care of Hospice Wellington on June 29, after a long battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Toronto, Van Esterik earned both his bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees close to home at the University of Toronto before spending two years volunteering with Cuso International in Thailand and then completing his PhD – with a focus on lay meditation in Thai Theravada Buddhism – at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Van Esterik taught anthropology and social science courses at various schools in Thailand, the U.S. and Canada. At York U, he taught a survey course on Southeast Asia for more than 20 years, until his retirement in 2008. His academic research focused on Thai Buddhist practice and Lao refugees in North America. He published articles on refugee issues, Theravada Buddhism, and gender and development in Thailand.
“John and I worked together on several initiatives, including the resettlement of refugees from Southeast Asia, and a CIDA project linking York with several Thai Universities to develop gender and women’s studies," said Penny, his wife of over 57 years, who retired as a professor from York University's Department if Anthropology in 2014. "We briefly offered Thai language training at York as well.”
After his retirement, in 2018, Van Esterik and his wife funded a graduate scholarship for research on Southeast Asia through the York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR). The Penny and John Van Esterik Award for Graduate Research on Southeast Asia is offered annually to support doctoral students carrying out historical, cultural or artistic projects in the region.
“We wanted to give something back to the York community in appreciation for all the support we got over the years, particularly from the departments of anthropology and social science," said the late professor in 2018. "We also wanted to acknowledge all the wonderful scholars we met through the York Centre for Asian Research and contribute to their efforts in creating a vibrant research community.”
Beyond his academic career and volunteer work, Van Esterik was passionate about music. He played the cornet, trumpet and alto horn in a number of brass bands – first, in the Metropolitan Junior and Senior Brass Bands; then in the Weston Silver Band; and more recently, in the New Horizons band in Guelph, Ont. Always on time and in tune, he knew how to blend harmoniously with others and adjust to different musical styles. To support his fellow musicians for years to come, he created an award for bandsman of the year in the Weston Silver Band.
Friends will remember Van Esterik's generosity, love of learning, quiet feminism and devotion to the music of Tuba Skinny.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks for memorial contributions to be made to to the Lymphoma Society or Hospice Wellington.