Robert Buergenthal

Robert M. Buergenthal of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Law School. Buergenthal's career took him to 75 nations throughout Latin America, Europe and the former Soviet Union. He worked for organizations including The World Bank, IDLO, and Thomson Reuters, and as an expert in Rule of Law and global strategy programs, Buergenthal spent much of his life working for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as the Justice Education Society of BC. He loved travelling the world and immersing himself in international communities. To his family and friends, he was known as a consummate relationship builder, music lover and pop culture aficionado.

Buergenthal grew up in Buffalo, New York, and then in Austin, Texas, and lived in Costa Rica, Italy, Poland, and Honduras, and visited countless other countries for work and pleasure. He mentored and supported his colleagues and their families, and was often referred to as "the person who changed my life" by those who were lucky enough to know him. Buergenthal settled in Ottawa, Ontario, in 2023 and began to build a life with his partner of 18 years, Kostandinos Agridiotis. He passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of January 17, 2025, at age 62. We will always cherish Robert's memory and truly miss his dedication and passion for JES and everything related to JES staff.