Maurice D. Levi (In Memoriam)
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Maurice ‘Mo’ David Levi. Mo passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Mo was a colleague, a mentor and a dear friend to many of us and he will be deeply missed.
Mo graduated in 1967 with a B.A. in economics with First Class Honors from the University of Manchester. The very next year he was awarded a M.A. in economics followed by a Ph.D. in economics in 1972, both from the University of Chicago. His employment at UBC began with a Killam Post-Doctoral Teaching Fellow in 1972 and as a Visiting Assistant Professor before joining the professorial ranks in 1974. He quickly established his strong research presence in 1973 with his first publication in the prestigious journal, Econometrica, a paper that continues to be cited today. His intellectual dexterity was apparent to all who ever spoke to him, about anything. It was also apparent in the breadth of his publications, from his first technical econometric piece to the many papers he wrote on the psychology of the market such as “Winter Blues: A SAD Stock Market Cycle”, “Losing Sleep at the Market: The Daylight Saving Anomaly” and “Deal or no Deal: Hormones and the Mergers and Acquisitions Game.”
His colleagues often said “Mo can teach anything to anyone.” Indeed, his teaching skill was broadly recognized in the eight teaching awards he was given throughout his career. His ability to explain complex economic ideas to students at all levels is the basis for his success as a textbook author. His “International Finance” textbook went through 5 editions and his widely distributed “Thinking Economically: How Economic Principles Can Contribute to Clear Thinking” was also published in China, Japan, and Italy.
Mo was an integral part of the Faculty of Commerce/Sauder School of Business. He served on the Faculty’s Appointment Promotion and Tenure Committee many times, and was a member of the University’s Senior Appointments Committee. He served as the Chair of the Finance Division on four separate occasions and was the Chair of the Centre for International Business Studies.
Through his academic work and his collegial interactions he inspired those of us who knew him to strive to be better, broader scholars. His personal warmth and genuine concern and interest in the well-being of all helped us appreciate the many other wonderful things in our lives. We will miss him.
Mo spoke often and lovingly of his dear family. Our condolences and best wishes go to his wife Kate and children Adam, Naomi and Jonathan. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Parkinson Society of BC (https://www.parkinson.bc.ca/).