|
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
STOTHERT, Winston Dunderdale (Win) - husband, father, grandfather, engineer, businessman, rancher, was born on January 4th, 1923 and passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 3rd, at the age of 97. Win was predeceased by his beloved wives, Sylvia, Hollie and his daughter Dixie.
He will be remembered fondly by sons Wyn (Emma), Skip (Judy), Dale and son-in-law John, stepchildren Mary and Ed, 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He was born in Edmonton, Alberta and was raised in Ashmont, Alberta where he developed the family homestead into a successful cattle ranch, The Lakes Ranch.
Winston served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War and a Lieutenant Reserve after the war. He completed his B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, with Honours, from the University of Alberta and his M.A. Sc. in Applied Science, from the University of Toronto. This led to a career of remarkable breadth that touched on numerous resource industries over the decades to come.
Winston's firm, Stothert Engineering Ltd., had industrial projects in 60 countries for the development and operation of electricity generated from coal, oil, natural gas, wood residue, hydrogen, garbage and wind. His field experience includes operating hydroelectric dams, pulp and paper mills and plants producing petrochemicals, plastics and textiles.
In his 2011 book, Renewable Energies with Energy Storage, he points out that all of the world's energy can come from renewables eliminating the need for fossil fuels and our reliance on batteries.
Winston launched an essay-writing contest entitled: Rurals & Urbans: How can the diminishing rural population continue to sustain urban B.C.?
Winston helped British Columbia become a planet leader in using the best technologies and standards to get our resources to the world while striving to protect our environment, at the same time. This led him in his 80s to start up Stothert Power Corp. BCs' first windmill generation plant on Northern Vancouver Island.
More recently, in his 90s, Winston had been working on publishing books on "Equal Responsibility" and "Aboriginal Reconciliation" and had just published his 3rd memoir. In fact, he never stopped working.
In community and public service he held a long list of roles with the Canadian Exporters Association; Councillor, Alberta Assoc. of Prof. Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists; President and Governor, British Columbia Chamber of Commerce; Director, Vancouver Board of Trade; Director and Executive Committee, Canadian Chamber of Commerce; Governor, Business Council of British Columbia; Chairman, B.C. Branch, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business; Chairman, B.C. Branch, and Vice-Chairman, Canadian Exporters Association; Vice-Chairman, British Columbia Trade Development Corp. (Prov. Govt.); Chairman, Friendship House, Residence for Aboriginal High School Students; Director, Millennium Skytrain Rapid Transit Project (Prov. Govt.); Church Steward and Elder.
Winston was a dedicated member of the Presbyterian Church for his entire life. He was extremely generous and quietly supported initiatives for growth, especially where it involved young families.
He loved and was devoted to his family and every summer Hollie and Win made the 14-hr trip to The Lakes Ranch, where many fun Stothert family reunions were held. Winston made sure no one slept past 6:30am, as we all awoke to his loud voice saying "Wakey-Wakey Day Light in the Swamps". A quote hanging on the wall reminded us.... "You Can't Soar with the Eagles in the Morning if you Hoot with the Owls at Night." He loved every minute at the ranch, barbecuing with his secret steak sauce, riding horses, hunting, wrangling cattle and above all enjoying time with his family. He never wanted to leave when it was time to go.
Winston will be remembered for his strong Christian faith, his great capacity to love, incredible generosity, openness to knowledge, and his passion for justice.
A memorial service will be held when people are allowed to gather. (The North Shore News 25 Dec 2020)
|
