Barnard professor of physical education John Lad died on Monday after collapsing at an off-campus martial arts class. He was 60.

Lad had taught the martial art T'ai Chi at Barnard and Columbia for 28 years in addition to instructing courses on as music and philosophy-in which he held a Ph.D. from Stanford University.

"He was a Renaissance man who was passionate about music, philosophy, Asian studies," Laura Masone, senior associate in the Barnard department of physical education, said in a statement. "John led a balanced life: an intellectual, a musician, an athlete. ... He will be very missed."

Lad had studied T'ai Chi for more than 30 years, teaching and writing on the subject prolifically.

"He was a good instructor," Jessica Hong, BC '09, said. "He was very much into the way of teaching T'ai Chi."

As well as practicing martial arts, Lad was an active violinist, playing in various New York chamber music groups and orchestras since the 1970s.

"For such a person, he always carried himself in a humble and unassuming way," George Padilla, associate of the Barnard department of physical education, said. "I'm not sure he knew the extent of the influence he had on those of us who knew and worked with him."