Tribute to Robert Beauregard for an Outstanding Career!
Recognizing Robert Beauregard for an Exceptional Career!
Today, with great emotion and profound gratitude, we pay tribute to Robert Beauregard as he prepares to retire in December 2026, following an exceptional career that took him from Scion in New Zealand to Forintek Canada Corp., and ultimately to Université Laval, where he devoted himself to research and to educating future generations.
After 26 years of service as a professor in the Department of Wood and Forest Sciences and as a research member of the Renewable Materials Research Center (CRMR), Robert Beauregard is embarking on a well-deserved retirement.
Throughout his career, he has distinguished himself through an outstanding professional trajectory, characterized by exemplary scientific rigor, sustained institutional commitment, and a vision deeply rooted in contemporary forestry and sustainable development issues.
A graduate of Université Laval, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Engineering (1983), followed by a Master’s degree (1988) and a PhD (1995) in Wood Science, he built a strong and coherent academic foundation that became the cornerstone of an exceptional career. He joined Université Laval in 2000 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2002, embarking on an academic career that would have a profound impact on our institution and his field of expertise.
Appointed Full Professor in 2007, he made significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge, particularly in the development of structural and appearance-grade engineered wood products, the integration of an industrial engineering perspective into wood engineering, and a strong consideration of the economic challenges facing the forest products sector. He was a pioneer in studying the relationships between climate, forests, and forest products, as well as in applying eco-design principles to wood construction.
A committed and respected researcher, he took part in numerous large-scale projects and authored important scientific publications, contributing to the international recognition of research conducted in Québec and Canada. His perspectives, expressed in numerous briefs and reports, have made a significant contribution to discussions surrounding the forest sector, life cycle assessment, carbon accounting, and the environmental impacts of forest products—all issues that are now central to strategies for addressing climate change.
Beyond his scientific contributions, Robert Beauregard distinguished himself through remarkable leadership at Université Laval. As Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics from 2007 to 2016, he guided and helped advance a faculty that is unique in Québec. He subsequently held several senior strategic positions, notably as Vice-Rector of Studies and Student Affairs and Executive Vice-Rector, contributing directly to the development of the university’s major strategic directions and governance. In these roles, he stood out for his ability to mobilize, bring people together, and champion an ambitious vision for higher education. His leadership, marked by rigor, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility, will leave a lasting mark on the university community.
Robert Beauregard is also an exceptional educator and mentor. He has supported numerous graduate students, helping to train a new generation of committed and highly skilled researchers. Through his students, colleagues, and many collaborations, his influence will continue to be felt for many years to come. But beyond the titles and accomplishments, it is above all his human qualities that stand out: his integrity, intellectual generosity, commitment, and deep respect for others. These values have shaped his career and inspired those who have had the privilege of working alongside him.
Dear Robert, as you turn this important page in your life, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for your exceptional contribution to Université Laval, the CRMR, and your field of expertise. Your career is a source of inspiration, and your legacy is substantial. We wish you a retirement worthy of your commitment: rich in new projects, discoveries, precious moments, and peace of mind. Thank you for everything you have accomplished, and above all, for everything you have shared and passed on to others.
Tributes from Professor Robert Beauregard’s Colleagues
« Robert will have worn many hats throughout his career. To me, he was a mentor, a colleague, a dean, and an important person who believed in me and opened doors for me! For the Faculty, as well as for the University, he was also an exceptional leader. Passionate and knowledgeable, you could only learn and discover by his side! Thank you, Robert, for the remarkable mark you left at the Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics (FFGG) and at Université Laval, and congratulations on a fulfilling career dedicated to serving Quebec society.»  — Nancy Gélinas, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics (FFGG)
« Dear Robert, after many years, our collaboration is coming to an end! First as graduate students, and later as colleagues! What an adventure… You have made a major contribution to the CRMR, the FFGG, and Université Laval. It is truly impressive! I now wish you time to enjoy yourself and your loved ones, and to do the things you enjoy. I also wish you continued good health. It will always be a pleasure to see you again! Happy retirement! » — Alain Cloutier, Professor at the FFGG.
« Although my career at Université Laval as a professor specializing in wood machining and processing is still relatively recent, having begun in January 2023, I have had the privilege of crossing paths with Professor Robert Beauregard. From our very first interactions, he was generous with his time, always willing to share his experience and offer thoughtful advice that made a tangible contribution to my academic development, both in teaching and research. I am sincerely grateful to him for that. Beyond his valuable advice, it was Mr. Beauregard’s human qualities that left the strongest impression on me. His kindness and commitment made my early years all the more enriching. It was a real pleasure to work alongside him and learn from his advice. I wholeheartedly wish him a retirement filled with health, peace, and wonderful moments, worthy of the exceptional contribution he has made over the years ». — Rémi Georges, Professor at the FFGG.
« In 1998, I decided to pursue a PhD. As part of my efforts to identify a research topic and secure funding, I approached Robert Beauregard, who was then Director of the Value-Added Products Department at Forintek Canada Corp. Robert quickly became a mentor, sharing a vision that could be applied to the sector and the industry. Later, within the Department of Wood and Forest Sciences, we became colleagues. I had the opportunity to engage in detailed discussions with him about wood construction, the use of this resource, and partnerships between industry and academia. Several candid conversations about the day-to-day realities of being a chairholder and a vice-rector enriched our exchanges over the years. Over time, we developed a relationship that went beyond that of mentor and colleague—it became a friendship. Cooking, music, and Scotch were at the heart of many precious conversations, making work feel like anything but work. Today is officially your last day at work, my friend. It is certainly a difficult chapter to close for a committed, passionate, and dedicated professor. Yours has been a fulfilling career, promoting undergraduate education, advocating for better use of our forests—from production to construction—and highlighting the environmental benefits of wood construction. I am saddened to imagine that you will no longer be part of our group of professors. However, I am delighted to know that our friendship will continue. Take good care of the lovely France and of yourself. See you soon! »— Pierre Blanchet, Professor at the FFGG.
« Robert has had a profound impact on my journey at the CRMR. His guidance, passion, and dedication have always been a source of inspiration. I have cherished memories of our conversations, which were always insightful, stimulating, and marked by great authenticity. His rigor, attentiveness, and profound humanity made him a true person of reference, both inspiring and reassuring. Beyond his professional qualities, his natural and contagious good humour and zest for life helped create a workplace that was warm, human, and deeply motivating. I wish him a peaceful and fulfilling retirement, filled with wonderful projects, worthy of everything he has so generously shared with others.  » — Besma Bouslimi, CRMR Scientific Coordinator.
