Bhagwan Dua

1936 ~ 2018

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Father, Husband, Brother and Grandfather, Dr. Bhagwan Dass Dua. He passed away suddenly on January 10, 2018, while on vacation in Kona, Hawaii.

Dr. Dua was born in Farookah, India, the second of four children. His family escaped to India during Partition in August of 1947 with only a few personal belongings. When they arrived in the chaos of New Delhi, Dr. Dua became a bit of a street urchin with not much interest in school. He started working at a bike shop repairing tires. Under cajoling from his older brother, B.C. Dua, he wrote his grade 10 final exams, and, shockingly, passed. This allowed him to apply for a job in the new Indian Federal Government, where he became a secretary. There he met his two best friends, Khazan Singh and Dass, who encouraged him to continue his education.

This was the start of his passion for education. He received his B.A. with Honours in Political Science in 1956 at Punjab University. Then three Masters Degrees: in Political Science in 1958, and Public Administration in 1964 from Punjab University, and Political Science in 1967 from Leeds University, England. He was also working as a Lecturer in D. A. V. College, Ambala (1959-1962) and later at Mahendra College Punjabi University, Patiala (1962-1971). His thirst for knowledge became insatiable prompting him to apply for a Ph.D at the University of Alberta where he was accepted with full scholarship in 1971.

While doing his doctoral studies, Dr. Dua was also a Teaching Assistant at the University of Alberta and Lecturer at Concordia College in Edmonton, Alberta. He completed his Ph.D. in 1977 and was immediately hired by the University of Lethbridge as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science. He had an illustrious career at the University of Lethbridge as an educator, researcher and administrator. He authored many books and papers, was a Guest Speaker and served on many Committees at the University.

Dr. Dua was an extremely successful Administrator, first as Chairman of the Political Science Department from 1983-1990, and then as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science from 1991-2002. He was an extremely successful Dean using his charm, humor and fairness to steer the Faculty during the very difficult Klein cutback years. This won him many admirers and lifelong friends. He took Administrative Leave from the University of Lethbridge from 2001-2003 to serve as the Vice President of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute in New Delhi, India. After returning, he retired from the University of Lethbridge, but continued as Visiting Professor for the next seven years.

Dr. Dua had two passions: education and family. He was a kind, loving and caring man, a devoted husband, an encouraging and proud father and grandfather and a concerned friend, brother and uncle. He made friends wherever he went with his openness and humility.

Dr. Dua is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Swarn, his two daughters, Manjula (Fred Hansen) and Mini, his grandchildren-Natasha, Megan and Elise Hansen, and William and Rebecca Sugars. He is also survived by his brothers B.C Dua (Kanta) of New Delhi, India and Shyam Dua (Makiko) of San Jose, California. Left to mourn are the Puri and Chawla Families and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

He was predeceased by his parents Roop Chand Dua and Sabrai Dang and his sister Krishna Chawla.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Lethbridge, A735 University Hall, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4.