Advancement Report

WE REMEMBER A UTS LEGEND

When Derek Bate ’44 received the Crawford Award in 2013 for lifetime contribution to the School, Don Borthwick introduced him as “Mr. UTS” to the audience at the Alumni Dinner.

Perhaps no individual over the long and storied history of the school has been more deserving of the title. An alumnus, teacher, coach, Assistant Headmaster and then the first Executive Director of the UTS Alumni Association, Derek touched nearly all aspects of UTS life for more than 60 years.

Derek passed away on January 15, 2020 in his 94th year, leaving his three sons Derek ’71, John ’73, and Graeme ’75, and five grandchildren, including Ashley ’16. Between the Bate family and the Catto family into which Derek married, there are no fewer than 18 UTS alumni across four generations. Derek and his extended family have been part of the school since his father-in-law, John Catto Sr., enrolled in 1910.

After receiving a BASc in Engineering Physics at U of T and a Master of Education from the Ontario College of Education in 1950, and just six years after leaving UTS, he became the second student ever to join school staff, teaching math and physics. That started a 24-year teaching career at UTS which included serving as Assistant Headmaster/Principal for six years and Acting Headmaster in 1970. Derek left to become a Principal in the Peel Board, serving at three high schools.

Upon his retirement in 1989, he immediately renewed his involvement with UTS, becoming the first Executive Director of the UTSAA in 1990. Little did he know what he had gotten himself into.

Beyond the many students to whom he taught physics, Derek’s greatest contribution to UTS may have been his tireless devotion to the 1993-97 bursary campaign. UTS was suddenly thrust into a $10 million fundraising campaign, with no road map and only a small database of alumni. His behind-the-scenes work drove the campaign to success, raising $15 million to ensure the School’s survival.

Derek will be remembered as a man of great patience, sly humour, and quiet leadership. He was a mentor and role model to those who were fortunate enough to be taught by him, teach with him, or be coached by him. He will be deeply missed by the UTS family.

With thanks to Derek Bate ’71, P ’16, John Bate ’73, and Graeme Bate ’75 for sharing this story of their father. Martha Drake

Executive Director, Advancement