Albert Bregman

Alex Chechile - 6 days ago

Sending my deepest condolences to Al’s family and friends. While I only knew Al through his research, his work was deeply impactful for many, myself included.

Poppy Crum - 8 days ago

Dear Abigail, I am so sad to learn of Al’s passing and for your loss. As a student of Al’s - in a small part of his time and legacy he changed and shaped my life in ways that only keep growing. After a course at McGill, another professor prompted me to knock on Al’s door for insight. For that, I am forever grateful. Conversations with Al about music, science, or life conundrums always left remarkable perspective that in a few cleverly chosen words changed my assumptions or took me down a path to find the more impactful questions. Al shaped my life as a scientist and more importantly as a person in ways I am daily thankful. Always joy at finding a simpler form to a solution of a problem in true Gestalt inspiration. Al’s mind and essence gave to us all. His delight in understanding the human mind with unwavering honestly and kindness were transformative and inspiring as a teacher, mentor, and friend. I miss him dearly.

Suresh Krishna - 11 days ago

In around 2000 or so, when I was a graduate student visiting Montreal and stuck in a snowstorm , I wrote to the "guy who wrote the book" on a lark, and Al generously invited me to visit the lab and took me out to lunch. It meant a lot to me at that time and at that stage in my life, perhaps more than Al could have guessed. Pierre Ahad was there as well. After I came back to Montreal 20 years later, I reached out to Al to say hello and had a short email correspondence with him - I was happy to chat with him in another stage of his life. A scientist and man who touched and influenced many lives, he will live on both in many warm and fond memories for a while and in the scientific literature for much longer.

Rosemary Mountain - 11 days ago

Our deepest sympathies are with you, Abigail, and all the family on your loss. Harry and I consider ourselves very fortunate to have been able to spend many hours with Al in his later years, and regret that we could not get back to Montreal for a last visit. His work was a key to my own research into analysis of complex music, and my move back to Montreal was motivated in part with the hope that I would be able to spend time asking him questions, so it was highly satisfying to have his advice and feedback on various projects, and of course we treasure the many social occasions we spent, which were always laced with stimulating research questions no matter what the subject matter. We are happy to do our part to ensure that his legacy continues.

Francesco Tordini - 11 days ago

Dear Abigail, Please accept my deepest condolences. I truly am saddened, and at the same time I cannot stop smiling in thinking at Al's as in the present and remembering his special way to be, at the same time kind, sharp and humorous. Al has been a wonderful, incredibly generous mentor to me and he will keep a very special presence in my heart and memories. With love and warmth to you from my whole family, Francesco, Lucia, Dario and Dania.

Wieslaw WoszczykW - 12 days ago

Dear Abigail, It is with great sadness that we received the news of Al’s passing. We are thinking of the impact this event brings to you and your family and offer sympathy. Trudy and I recall the beauty of Al’s life and the joyful relationship between you. We remember the spirited musical evening parties at your home in NDG, your generosity of spirit, time, and attention. You had a beautiful home, an inviting space for sharing and building a human understanding. Al’s humility was astounding to me, he asked probing questions, yet he was world’s utmost expert whose curiosity meant there is more and more to explore. His patience, ability to observe and analyze, to pause and open avenues for thought and discussion were unique. We hope that you will carry on with joy and know how deep Al’s presence reverberates now in the lives he touched directly and indirectly. We celebrate his life in the generous gifts he handed to us. Wieslaw and Trudy Woszczyk

Shelley Schwartz - 12 days ago

Dear Abigail and family. So sorry for your loss. My best Shelley Schwartz

Dr. Souza, Allan Christian Domingues - 13 days ago

Fly high, Dr. Bregman! Thank you very much for your legacy! You will be always alive through our scientific works! Allan

John Chowning - 13 days ago

A vivid memory: a few years ago, while giving a talk about my work at McGill, Al raised his hand and challenged an assertion I made. He was correct and filled out his argument with humor. His was an incisive mind but soft and warm around the edges. With your loss, Abigail, as you see here, you may take comfort in knowing that Al did not disappear.

Chris Chafe - 14 days ago

Al became a close family fiend during his time at Stanford University decades ago. Our subsequent get togethers with Al and Abigail are cherised memories. We all miss his smile, playfulness and that profound interest in just about everything. It was infectious. Al's insights into music and sound opened a field that is thriving today more than ever. My role as director of Stanford's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) gives me a vantage point from where I see his theories and demonstrations in use. They are essential in our teaching and research, and the same is true worldwide in the field. From my family to his, all our sincerest condolences, we miss you all.

David Huron - 14 days ago

Unlike others, I had only a passing personal acquaintance with Al: perhaps in total no more than about 30 minutes of conversation at conferences over the years. Nevertheless, his research had a dramatic effect on my life. Burned into my memory was a presentation Al gave on July 15, 1981 at a small conference on Music and Psychology at Queen's University. His presentation on auditory scene analysis was my introduction to how psychology might account for many musical practices. The effect was electrifying, and that spark has inspired me for the past forty years. Know that, apart from those who knew him personally, Al's research has had a deep and wide impact. Scholars will be referring to his work for centuries to come. David Huron, Musicologist

Valter Ciocca - 15 days ago

Dear Abigail, we are so sad to hear about Al's passing. We are sorry for your loss. We had the privilege to enjoy his sense humour and his kindness during out visits to Montreal, and when you came to visit us in Hong Kong and Vancouver. Al was the quintessential educator, and an inspiring mentor. As a scientist, he was critical but open-minded. He taught by example, by scrutinizing his own ideas as thoroughly as other people's, and without taking himself too seriously. Above all, he was a wonderful person. Please accept our sympathies. Love to all. Valter, Gillian and Francesca

Melanie Dirks - 15 days ago

Dear Abigail and family, I was so sad to learn of Al’s passing. I joined the Department of Psychology at McGill in 2009, and I was so impressed by how Al went out of his way to get to know and support his more junior colleagues. We all fondly remember how he was the life of a party – wearing his suspenders and shorts! – celebrating the promotion of a number of department members that year. It was only later that I realized how important his contributions to the field were, both through his scholarship and his teaching. Our department will not be the same without him. Melanie Dirks

Irv & Helen Binik - 15 days ago

Dear Abigail, Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We have many wonderful memories of spending time with you and Al. His passing is personal loss and a loss for psychology. There are so many students who were inspired by his teaching! May his memory be for a blessing.

Brian Roberts - 15 days ago

Dear Abigail and family. I am so sorry to hear that you have lost Al; please accept my condolences. My career would not have taken the path it has without my time working as a postdoc in his lab at the end of the 1980’s. He was always inspiring as a researcher and thinker, and also a warm and welcoming person who quickly may me feel at home and valued in the lab. It has been a pleasure to keep in touch with him over the years, albeit from the distance of England. I hope all the fond memories you must have of Al with help you through this difficult time. Thinking of you. Love and best wishes, Brian.

Stevan Harnad - 15 days ago

Doris Steinberg - 15 days ago

My husband and I met in Dr. Bregman's class. At the beginning we complained about the amount of work but by the end we loved the course. Dr. Bregman made us think, challenged us and even half a century later we still remember his class more than all others. He inspired us both to become psychologists. We are very sorry for your loss. Doris and Bill Steinberg

Susan Pinker - 15 days ago

Dear Abigail, We are so sorry to learn this sad news. Please accept our condolences on the loss of this wonderful man. We send love to you at this difficult time. Susan and Martin

Ward Earle - 16 days ago

A lovely man who has been part of our extended family for many years (or maybe we were part of his). I always enjoyed his habit of asking mischievous "questions" designed to stimulate that "endless debate" (or stir the pot!). Looking forward to sharing memories and sympathies with you all in person soon. Love Ward, Oona and Liam

Dr. Renee J Karp - 16 days ago

Dear Abigail and entire family, Our sincere condolences on the passing of Al. He was an accomplished and wonderful man...and you, his accomplished, wonderful, caring wife! A great team, if ever there was one. May your wonderful memories sustain you at this difficult time. Renee Karp, Ed Katz and family.