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CLEMENTS, McKenzie Alexander (Ken) passed away suddenly in Toowoomba on 19/2/2026 aged 83. Loving husband of Nerida Ellerton, devoted father of Janine (deceased), Andrew, Natalie, and Michael, and devoted step father to Andrew, Derek and Kristan. Together they had 19 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He loved his sister Ellen, her husband Laurie, and his sisters-in-law Rosemary and Lorna. He was a devout Christian, and is now forever with the Lord. He will be greatly missed by family and friends as well as by the Mathematics Education community Australia wide, and overseas. He was a great cricketer and an avid Western Bulldogs supporter. Memorial Services will be held in Toowoomba, Qld at 10:30 am on 7/3/2026 at St David’s Presbyterian Church (livestreamed see Burstows for link) and in Melbourne at 11:00am on 31/3/2026 at Paisley Street Baptist Church (Footscray Baptist Church), 60 Paisley St, Footscray.
Condolences
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I feel so sad to hear the news yesterday about Ken’s passing. I first met him at the Waurn Ponds campus of Deakin University back in 1990, when I was doing some part-time statistical analysis on mathematics education for Nerida (even though I actually graduated in computing rather than mathematics education). I’ll never forget Ken’s humor and his smile — even during his short stop in Hong Kong with Nerida for an international conference in the mid-1990s. It was such a joy and blessing to see Ken and Nerida again in Toowoomba during my visit to Australia in September 2025. Ken, thank you for inviting me into the Bible study group and introducing me to the other members at the church. That was my very first time joining a religious study, and although I don’t have a religious background, I truly enjoyed it and felt so welcomed.
I believe Ken is now resting peacefully, free from pain and medication, surrounded by eternal comfort. His kindness, humor, and spirit will always live on in the hearts of those who knew him. I’m certain he would want Nerida and his family to continue embracing life with joy and love, just as he always did.
Nerida, please take good care of yourself. You are in my thoughts, and I hope you find strength in the beautiful memories you shared with Ken. RIP Ken — may your light continue to shine through those you loved. - Dr. Clements was my professor at ISU, but he quickly became more than that as the course progressed. He gave me such confidence in myself as a math teacher, and I felt genuinely cared about by him. I will cherish the stories he told, especially his final story of his final class period before retiring--climbing up the mountain one last time and giving us the chance to climb higher than he ever could. He was truly a gift.
- Thank you, Ken, for your support, wisdom and professional guidance over the past 35+ years. I was most fortunate to have been supervised by you--and to have you as a friend.
Carn the doggies.Tom❤ 1
- I am very saddened to hear about Ken's passing. My late husband and I had the very good fortune to meet Ken and Nerida several times, for our film project about the metric system. So inspiring and always a pleasure to spend time together. We were endlessly amazed at Ken's energy, insight, patience, experiences, and generosity. My thoughts are with his family.
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So sad to hear of Ken's passing. Such a kind, generous and thoughtful man. I knew Ken through mathematics education research particularly in the early 2000s. I had the privilege of staying with him in Brunei in 2004 and i saw the care he took in supporting his PhD students. The image below is a photo I found of a dinner celebration of his PhD student's graduation.❤ 2
- Deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Ken Clements. I met him at Illinois State University, around the year of 2001. He was an incredible researcher, a gifted teacher, and a truly kind person. My sincere condolences to his family, especially to Nerida Ellerton, who was my teacher too and whom I also remember very fondly. Thank you, Professor Ken. May you rest in God's loving arms.
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- Our whole family is so saddened by the death of my darling brother Ken. He always showed love and compassion to Laurie (B.I.L) and I,; made a point of ringing me for my birthday or asking after our children Jeffrey, Christopher & Jeynelle no matter where he resided, even when overseas. Mum gave him the task of trying to teach me algebra in my year 7 - he had much patience and tried really hard, but in the end threw his hands in the air saying - "oh! you're hopeless". Still makes me laugh when I think what a success he made teaching and lecturing so many students in his later life and culminating in the honour of his receiving the honour of O.A.M. medal which made his little sis so proud. Ken will be sadly missed by our family and the educational world as he was a loving, caring, genius. Sending love and condolences to Nerida and all family members at this sad time. Rest in Peace and God bless. Forever remembered, little sis., Ellen, Laurie & family xo
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- So sad to hear of Ken's passing. I met Ken through his son Michael way back in the late 80's. Ken was lecturing at Deakin University in Geelong where I also attended. I remember him sleeping odd hours because he was such a hard dedicated worker. He was a real charachter with sharp wit and humor. He was certainly dedicated to his profession and loved his family, and his German Shepard named Friend. RIP Ken.
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- My uncle Ken has always been a really good bloke. Wise, always seemed happy and frownless. He achieved so much so effortlessly or at least made it look easy if it wasn't i will miss him but have many memories to keep from Christmas time spent at Bedford road Heathmont where family used to all get together. They were the best of times.
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- Dear Ken, We never met, but I wish that I had the pleasure of our paths crossing.I love your daughter Natalie very much and it has been sad to see her so devastated by your passing. We all know that the spirit of our loved ones linger within us forever but losing someone always does creates a void in our universe. It's hard to believe that someone who used to exist, no longer does. At least not in the same way.It's quite beautiful actually to think about all of the lives that have come before us and which will continue to be birthed long after we are gone. So much of your imprint is in Nat and she has been shaped in the mould which you forged for her. Her beautiful energy, no doubt is from you. I can see from pictures that she inherited the sparkle of your eyes.In so many ways then, I do get to experience you through her, which is such magic.I know that you will be blessing her from the place that you now rest. She is something wonderful and you were no doubt proud of her in so many ways. As she has always done, she will never let the memory of those who were loved die with them. Please visit her in her dreams and remind her of how much she was loved by you. Remind her of the memories that she may have forgotten, of the times that you held her when she was a little baby girl and how lucky you were both to have traversed this journey of life together.She's a tough cookie, even if she doesn't believe it but if she ever falters, we got her - don't you worry.Thank you for giving her life. Your work here is done. Rest well in a new world and wait for her there when it's her time. I know that she can't wait to hold you again.Love from her friend, Tina
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