It is with great sadness that Erasmus School of Economics learned of the death of Rob van der Wal at the age of 71. With his passing, Erasmus School of Economics has lost a highly committed and greatly valued colleague, who for many decades made an important contribution to accounting education, the training of chartered accountants, and the development of Erasmus School of Accounting & Assurance.
Rob van der Wal had been affiliated with the Faculteit der Economische Wetenschappen (now Erasmus School of Economics) since 1981. In 1985, together with, among others, Martin Hoogendoorn, Chris Knoops and Leo van der Tas, he was among the young members of staff representing the university at the European Accounting Association conference in Brussels. This marked the beginning of a long career in which education, research and the professional development of accountants were always central.
An important part of his career focused on education and student supervision. Within the Accounting, Auditing & Control specialisation, Rob supervised and assessed Master’s students for many years and, among other roles, served as thesis coordinator. As Academic Director of the Accounting, Auditing & Control Master’s specialisation, he was also closely involved in the academic and organisational development of the programme.
Rob also played an important role within Erasmus School of Accounting & Assurance (now part of the Erasmus Institute of Business Economics). As programme manager, he was closely involved for many years in the Post-Master programme for Chartered Accountants. In this role, he was committed to the quality and further development of the programme, as well as to strengthening the connection between academic knowledge and professional practice.
Rob was also one of the driving forces behind initiatives that offered ambitious students additional challenge and opportunities for further development. He was, for example, involved in the development of the PwC Honours Class, in which excellent Accounting, Auditing & Control students were introduced to advanced academic and professional issues alongside their regular programme.
For Rob, who guided many generations of students and future accountants, his contribution went beyond his subject-matter expertise. It also lay in the way he encouraged students and colleagues to think critically and to approach issues from different perspectives. The combination of academic independence, critical thinking and a strong connection with professional practice was of great importance to him. Rob was highly committed, collegial and very approachable. Even after his retirement and during his illness, he continued to contribute to the accountancy programme, reflecting his dedication to the university and its students.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, former colleagues and all those who were dear to him at this difficult time.
On behalf of the management teams of Erasmus School of Economics and Erasmus School of Accounting & Assurance,
Prof. dr. Patrick Groenen (Dean)
Prof. dr. Harry Commandeur (Statutory Director)
Prof. dr. Werner Brouwer (Statutory Director)
