ALLISTER BRIAN HICKSON

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ALLISTER BRIAN HICKSON Ph.D, M.Sc, B.Comm (Honors) C.F.A. February 23, 1954 December 11, 2008 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Allister Hickson. After a brave battle with esophageal cancer, Allister passed away on the morning of December 11th, 2008 at the Riverview Health Centre with his devoted wife, Denise Hickson, and loving daughter, Krista Erickson at his side. He is also survived by his brothers, Jim Hickson (Debbie) of Winnipeg and Dave Hickson (Charlene) of Chilliwack, as well as his much loved nieces and nephews, Kelly, Jamie, Colin, Jared, Jill, Nicole and Julie. He was predeceased by his father John Andrew Hickson and his mother Leona Irene Hickson. Born on February 23rd, 1954 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Allister grew up in St. James where he attended Bannatyne Elementary, Bruce Junior High and then Silver Heights Collegiate. His early years were spent like so many others his age: building forts in the bushes of West St. James, catching tadpoles in the slews on Thompson drive or playing shiny with his brothers on the backyard rink behind their Wallasey Street home. But Allister excelled more off the ice. From an early age, his intellectual gifts and mathematical prowess were evident. He amazed his family at age three with an ability to count to 500. In his teenage years, he was often found fixing cars. A broken vehicle was simply a puzzle to be solved for Allister. But refurbishing cars wasn't enough to satisfy his intellectual curiosity. He soon turned to the world of academia. Allister graduated from the University of Manitoba attaining a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors), a Masters of Science, and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. In 1982, he began his working career at Statistics Canada in the Agriculture Division as the head of the Grain Marketing Unit. In 1987, he joined the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation becoming Director, Pricing and Economics, where he directed research and operational activities related to product design, pricing, risk assessment and regulatory affairs for the Corporation. In 1998, he assumed the additional role of Acting Manager, Investments, and was responsible for the management of the Corporation's $1.2 billion investment portfolio in conjunction with colleagues from the Manitoba Department of Finance. But these formidable professional achievements weren't quite enough for Allister. Still driven by his deep and abiding thirst for knowledge, he became a student once more. In 1999, he enrolled in the demanding Chartered Financial Analyst program of the Association of Investment Management. Over the next three years, he studied evenings and weekends while maintaining his senior role at MPI and obtained the prestigious C.F.A. designation. After 16 fulfilling years in the public service, Allister returned to his first love: academia. In 2003, he joined the University of Manitoba Transport Institute. There, as a Professional Associate, he mentored research interns, taught Risk Assessment and was responsible for the development of various research activities. It became clear to everyone at the Institute that Allister was a natural born teacher. In 2005, he was appointed Sessional Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at the I. H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. He was responsible for the development of both undergraduate and graduate courses. On July 1st, 2008, his record of excellence in research and teaching culminated in an appointment as Assistant Professor at the University, fulfilling a lifelong dream. It was during this time at the University he discovered his greatest professional joy: while he excelled in research, writing and lecturing, it was his relationship with students that fulfilled him the most. To them, he was unfailingly dedicated and committed. And he was so grateful for the respect and friendship they offered in return. Our family would like to thank the faculty, students, and staff at the University who helped Allister fulfill his professional dream even in his final months and inspired him to fight on each day. A service in Allister's memory will be held on Tuesday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Thomson, In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard. A reception will follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The University of Manitoba. Please contact Development and Advancement Services at (204) 474-9195. Plans are to establish a scholarship fund for Supply Chain Management students in Allister's memory. THOMSON IN THE PARK 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2008