16-06 2019 20:13
wrote:
Fons van de Vijver and I met for the first time in 1995, when he became my Professor in Cultural Psychology, I became his student for the MA degree in Educational and Cultural Psychology at Tilburg University. Fons was in his 40's then, but in my mind he never grew much older. A very gifted professor he was, and very up to date in his field. He was able to transfer his enthusiasm for the field to us, his students, and I learned many an interesting theory from Fons. He also was the first person to introduce the word "item" (in statistical terms) to me. In hindsight, I think this is a funny anecdote considering how often I would use this term in my own career. Looking back, I can say that I was and am very proud to have had Fons as my teacher. There are not many people to share his levels of knowledge with and I was so fortunate to find him in my own city, at my own university. When I met Fons, I was 25. I am almost 50 now. He grew from being a teacher I looked up to into a person I still look up to very much but who also became a friend. Throughout the years, we always remained in contact and as such I was happy to attend his farewell symposium last year. Fons was very delighted when he spoke about the new chapter in his live, or retiring in Australia. It is a tragedy and a real shame that his years in Australia were cut so short due to his early passing away. I feel very much for Fon's wife Lona, and for all the other people who loved an cherished him and who will now miss him. Fons made a lasting impression on the careers of many psychologists - he did on mine. His work will be carried on through all of us! Safe travels to where you are going, Fons, good things are waiting for us there. In respectful memory, Caecilia Johanna van Peski
16-06 2019 20:13
wrote:
Fons van de Vijver and I met for the first time in 1995, when he became my Professor in Cultural Psychology, I became his student for the MA degree in Educational and Cultural Psychology at Tilburg University. Fons was in his 40's then, but in my mind he never grew much older. A very gifted professor he was, and very up to date in his field. He was able to transfer his enthusiasm for the field to us, his students, and I learned many an interesting theory from Fons. He also was the first person to introduce the word "item" (in statistical terms) to me. In hindsight, I think this is a funny anecdote considering how often I would use this term in my own career. Looking back, I can say that I was and am very proud to have had Fons as my teacher. There are not many people to share his levels of knowledge with and I was so fortunate to find him in my own city, at my own university. When I met Fons, I was 25. I am almost 50 now. He grew from being a teacher I looked up to into a person I still look up to very much but who also became a friend. Throughout the years, we always remained in contact and as such I was happy to attend his farewell symposium last year. Fons was very delighted when he spoke about the new chapter in his live, or retiring in Australia. It is a tragedy and a real shame that his years in Australia were cut so short due to his early passing away. I feel very much for Fon's wife Lona, and for all the other people who loved an cherished him and who will now miss him. Fons made a lasting impression on the careers of many psychologists - he did on mine. His work will be carried on through all of us! Safe travels to where you are going, Fons, good things are waiting for us there. In respectful memory, Caecilia Johanna van Peski
