Tell us about your personal and professional background.
It started in 1958 at the University of Toronto Mining Engineering. From there, I spent time with several companies, including Denison Uranium Mine, Aluminium Company of Canada, Harvey Aluminum, IMC Potash, Allan Potash, Management University of Western Ontario, PCS, Manager Allan, General Manager Lanigan. I retired in 1998.
Why did you choose to go into engineering?
There were several factors – my strengths in school were in math and science. Plus, I liked minerals and metals. I read too much about the romance of mining and geology. My older brothers were in engineering.
Did you have any engineers in the family who influenced you?
My father took one year of engineering in university. Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford to continue. My older brothers enrolled in engineering as well.
What was your first job after university?
I was at the Denison Mines (uranium).
What do you feel was your single greatest accomplishment as an engineer?
My service to the engineering profession.
Do you have a favourite memory/moment during your time as APEGS president?
Raising Reg Bing Wo’s status from registrar to manager. Having a huge lobster (plastic) piped in to Reg’s table at an official dinner. The chef did it up so well that we had a hard time getting Reg to stop trying to eat it.
Plus, receiving a plaque of appreciation from our APEGS Angels at the end of my term.
What are your interests outside of work?
My family and golf (when I was young and able). CIM (Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy) and Saskatoon Engineering Society, prior to my retirement.
What is your favourite vacation spot?
I love to visit Greece.
What is your favourite book?
Aku Aku by Thor Heyerdahl.
Have you ever met anyone famous?
While on a cruise on the Queen Mary from New York to London, (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Bob Thirsk was a guest speaker. He spoke about his 3,000 orbits.
He is both an engineer and a physician.
I reminded him of his first trip as an astronaut to Saskatoon where I hosted him and took him curling for the first time. I think that was the highlight of his visit. I took a lot of pictures only to find I had no film in the camera.
Of course, too much has happened since for him to remember. I am not sure of the year, but I was active on council at the time.
(Bob Thirsk holds the Canadian record for the most time spent in space. He became an officer of the Order of Canada in 2013.)
What do you do for continuing professional development?
Trying to contain my dementia with sudoku and Lumosity games.
Who has had the greatest influence on your life and career?
A few people come to mind. My wife Pat. Hal Mackle, Refinery Superintendent, IMC K2 Potash. Pieter Van Vliet, P. Eng, FEC (President of APEGS in 1978).