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Thursday, October 10, 2013

The following message was sent to all CTV News employees this evening. Doug will be missed. When CTV News produces an election – be it federal, provincial or municipal – one thing the election team always stresses is that our success is due to people: reporters, producers and anchors. But at the heart an election are results, analysis and our calls. And that’s the work of the election SWAT team that deploys to manage the displays and the data analysis. We lost one of those wonderful, dedicated people on Sunday. Doug Clarke was one of the originals. In 1973, CTV News turned to the University of Toronto’s math department to help it figure out future elections. Professor Doug Clarke, with colleagues Nick Derzko and David Andrews, took up the challenge and produced the guts of an election prediction system, but just the prediction part. When, in the 1974 election, the system run by a consulting firm failed disastrously, Doug with characteristic courage and effective leadership seized the moment and with the little band took charge of the development and management of the entire election system – the election system that we still use today. Doug was the man who bridged the divide – academia and television. And, although the system and software has evolved with updates through the years, the basic structure, the assumptions and math that went into it 40 years ago is what still works. Producers who were challenged by simply figuring out their per diems, came to trust Doug and the team who told them who would win when but a fraction of votes were counted. Even after retiring from the U of T, Doug continued to work elections. He would arrive in his big western-style hat, settle in at a computer and begin looking at graphs, results plots and would help pass judgment. His last big election was the 2006 federal vote. But Doug remained part of the team – in our little e-mail distribution group, getting ready for distant election dates, offering advice and kudos. To the end Doug was our professor-emeritus who’d helped make our election system such a success. We got the news of Doug’s passing on Tuesday night – David Andrews received an email from Doug’s family – something was amiss. But we had little detail – and the polls were just closing in the Nova Scotia election with results about to begin pouring in. Doug would have understood – the team focused on election right. Then, late yesterday, David got the rest of the news, Doug had passed away at home in his sleep. I like to think he was there watching us Tuesday night when the election team, once again, got all the calls right and CTV was first in telling the election story. We owe much to his courage, determination, his fire and his skill. Some of us were lucky enough to know and work with Doug. We will, of course, mark his passing. (The family had a private service but there is a book of condolences http://bit.ly/1cBzi9c .) For more recent members of the CTV News family, just know that when it comes to elections Canadians trust us because of the work of our people, like Doug Clarke.

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David H. Quance posted a condolence

Thursday, October 10, 2013

So sorry to hear about Doug. All the people he worked with including me were in Halifax for the Nova Scotia election and none of us could attend the gathering you held for this reason. We all have fond memories because he had a wonderful sense of humour and was so well informed in so many areas. He was easy to work with and charming to be with. I will always remember him for his generosity and willingness to go out of his way to help people including myself. My sincere condolences.

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Nick Derzko posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

I extend my condolences to Doug's family. I was his friend and colleague in the U of T mathematics department for many years and partner in a consulting business for some of these. I fondly remember his professional talent and business acumen and will miss him greatly.

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Kathy, Thom, Isabella & Audrey lit a candle

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

We miss you Papa! We hope all your dreams come true in heaven. Love Isabella & Audrey xoxo

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Mike Dawes posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Sorry to hear about Doug's passing. I was one of his grad students (Ph.D. 1972) and remember him with great respect and admiration.

In loving memory of

Douglas

1930 - 2013