Aug 28, 2025

• In Loving memory of Dr. Stuart Coupland

(1948-2025)

Passed away in Ottawa, Canada – August 28, 2025

Dr. Stuart Coupland passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, surrounded by his family after choosing a medically assisted death.

Stuart was born a Brit and despite moving to Canada in 1954, retained many of his British roots, such as his dry and self-deprecative sense of humour, love of a good pub and the camaraderie it brought, and a stiff upper lip. A perpetual nonconformist who revelled in the occasional defiance of authority, he nevertheless became domesticated in 1984 as he wed the love of his life, Robin. Their cherished love for each other was very special. Together, they raised two strong and independent daughters, Maggie and Sarah, of whom Stuart is immensely proud. Both his daughters followed in his footsteps and have found a love in clinical practice and research.

Stuart was the first in his family to pursue higher education and once he started, he never left. He earned his Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University in 1979 in experimental psychology and then completed postdoctoral fellowship training in Montreal at McGill University and the Montreal Neurological Institute. He went on to hold academic appointments at Concordia University, University of Calgary, and University of Ottawa. He was also the director of the Sensory Physiology Lab at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and Structural and Functional Imaging Unit at the Eye Institute. Stuart’s innovation and expertise was instrumental in the growth of a private company, Diagnosys, specializing in the electrophysiological examination of vision. He was a prolific and passionate researcher who loved nothing more than explaining the minutiae of his research to all those who would deign to listen. He was also a wonderful teacher and mentor who supervised and worked alongside many students. Though his numerous publications and presentations speak for themselves, his work was also formally recognized in 2005 when he won the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award.

In his personal life, Stuart loved spending time with his family and their many cats, playing squash, and traveling the world. Yet in his later years, he found his biggest love was being at home in Ottawa, hosting and attending lively gatherings with his many neighbours turned good friends.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his wife, Robin, his two daughters Sarah (Adam) and Maggie (Dean), his granddaughter, Willow, his sister, Dawn, and extended family in Australia, and his dear cat, Mousie. And to those who knew him best: Quapick!

In lieu of flowers, we ask that Stuart be remembered by a donation to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Please make a note that the donation is for the Eye Institute Electroretinogram Research – S Coupland.