DAVID MCRITCHIE

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DAVID MCRITCHIE 1941 - 2008 Dave passed away peacefully on September 15, 2008 at Fernie Hospital. Dave is survived by his wife Laura, his sons Ryder (Connie) of Calgary and Devin (Jaime) of Winnipeg, daughter Lara (Chris) of Calgary, stepdaughter Jocelyn Brown (Lorne) of Vancouver, stepson Reuben Mills of Victoria and his grandchildren Kyra and Isabel McRitchie and Oliver and Nate Brown. He is predeceased by his wife Brenda and his parents Marjorie and Leslie McRitchie. Dave was born in Newcastle, England and received his Ph.D. in Geology from Durham University. His activities during his youth included numerous climbing adventures in Northumberland, Scotland and Norway. Shortly after marrying Brenda, they immigrated to Winnipeg, where he worked for many years in the Manitoba Department of Energy, Mines and Resources and became the director of the Manitoba Geological Survey. Throughout his 30 plus years of service with the Geological Survey and regardless of his position within the organization, Dave always ensured he scheduled field time to do what he loved, being outdoors exploring and mapping the geology of Manitoba. His vibrant personality and great sense of humor was instrumental in drawing people to join and participate in the Manitoba Caving Club. He was the main organizer of many caving ventures and was viewed by many as the heart and soul of the club. His efforts were encapsulated in the Manitoba Caving Atlas , a proud collaborative achievement for him. His love for the outdoors and nature was also evident in the home he and Brenda created in St. Norbert. Together they planted countless trees and raised their three children. His love, devotion and pride for his family was always evident as he contributed to their growth in many ways as a teacher, coach, manager and most importantly father and husband. Dave and Brenda first came to Fernie in 1994 and he semi-retired there in 1997. They designed and built a warm and welcoming home and he continued to enjoy exploring the mountains and caves of the area; his new playground. Dave was a strong supporter and participant in Fernie Search and Rescue, conducting everything from numerous rescues to training to fundraising. As with everything that Dave did, he put all his energy and passion into building something better. When his wife Brenda passed away due to cancer seven years ago, Dave was fortunate to find love and friendship again. Dave and Laura were married in 2007 and they established a new home together in Maple Bay on Vancouver Island where he also studied and was on his way to becoming a Master Gardener . However, he returned to Fernie often to be with family, friends and the mountains. Dave reveled in his many adventures and enjoyed sharing them with his friends and family either through company along the way or via his eloquent storytelling. Whether you knew him as David, Dave, Dad or Pop, throughout his life the relationships that Dave built and communities he touched were enriched by his passion and energy. A special thanks to Dave's family doctor, Dr. Tom Rimmer of Duncan, BC for his careful and warm attention to Dave and our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the medical and nursing staff at Fernie Hospital for the excellent care they provided to Dave in his last days. A celebration of Dave's life will be held at Cherished Memories Funeral Home, 891 4th Street, Fernie on September 20, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. followed by an open house at 7 Aspen Crescent in Fernie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave's memory to Fernie and District Search and Rescue, PO Box 190, Fernie, BC.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 18, 2008