IN MEMORIAM

It is with great sadness that iPAL members learned of the death of Professor Ron Hambleton in April 2022. Ron was a great supporter of iPAL, particularly in its early years when such support was especially valuable. Ron grew up in Ontario, Canada where he developed a lifelong passion for hockey … and a love of mathematics. After receiving his Ph.D from the University of Toronto in 1969, Ron immediately joined the faculty of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, retiring in 2018 as a University Distinguished Professor. Ron made seminal contributions to many domains including item response theory, standard setting, test adaptation and score reporting. He was the recipient of career awards from the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association, the Association of Test Publishers, the International Test Commission, and the National Council on Measurement in Education. He also received two honorary doctorates. Equally, if not more important, he was an adviser and mentor to more than a hundred students who cherish their association – and later friendship – with Ron. Most of them have gone on to distinguished careers in educational measurement. Ron was unusually generous with both his time and ideas, fully committed to the advancement of the profession. Indeed, he devoted a great deal of time to service activities including terms as president of the International Test Commission and the National Council on Measurement in Education. A wonderful companion and a great friend, Ron will be sorely missed by all who knew him. iPAL members extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends.