Remembering Dr. Josef Vacl

After delivering one of his trademark jokes, Dr. Josef Vacl would typically grin and say, “Sorry for my joke.” He didn’t really mean it that way, of course; what he meant was “just kidding!” But everyone who knew him will remember that line, and the warmth, boundless energy, and colourful language that always came with it. Dr. Vacl’s humor and energy made him a beloved colleague, professor, and friend to so many at UNYP.

Dr. Vacl’s career path was as varied as his sense of humor. He spent years working in PR, conference coordination, and the travel industry. But his heart always circled back to academia, and to one of his greatest passions: beer. With dozens of peer-reviewed articles, he was one of the Czech Republic’s foremost academic experts on beer. Teaching a class on the marketing and communications context of beer to students not old enough to drink, or to students from regions where the consumption of alcohol is frowned upon? Not an issue for Dr. Vacl, he approached it with humour, cultural sensitivity, and an endless supply of stories that kept everyone engaged.

In the classroom, Dr. Vacl’s slides were overflowing with detail, each one bursting with stories, facts, and little nuggets of wisdom he couldn’t wait to share. He had a knack for making even yeast and hops sound like rock stars, keeping his students captivated from start to finish. Many will also remember his bachelor’s thesis opponent reports as masterpieces in their own right, written in a classic Czech style that was as sharp as it was unforgettable, leaving a lasting impression on all who read them.

He was no less unforgettable to his colleagues. “He was a lovely guy,” recalls Dr. Pitts. “I enjoyed him bursting into the office with his booming sense of humor.” Dr. Slavicková remembers him as “always cheerful, thoughtful, kind, and above all unfailingly polite.” And Dr. Zavřelová describes him this way: “The unintentionally cool grandpa, unpretentiously himself, full of energy and excitement, always eager to share his thoughts and hear others’ opinions about all topics, from the latest political scandal to the wine harvest in southern Moravia.”

Outside of academia, Josef’s life was equally full. He loved traveling, and even in his seventies, he took his grandchildren on a road trip across the United States—a true adventurer who reflected the vitality he carried with him every day.

Dr. Vacl passed away suddenly on Friday, September 19, leaving behind not only his family but also colleagues, students, and friends who will miss him dearly. We will remember him for his humour, his kindness, his scholarship, and his unstoppable enthusiasm.

And of course, we’ll remember him saying, with that twinkle in his eye: “Sorry for my joke.”

Todd Nesbitt