JOHN K. FRIESEN C.M., D.F.C., B.A., M.A., ED.D., L.L.D.

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JOHN K. FRIESEN C.M., D.F.C., B.A., M.A., ED.D., L.L.D. June 11, 1912 - June 12, 2010 It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of John K. Friesen. He passed away peacefully at the age of 98, surrounded by family. John is survived by his beloved wife Marta, daughter Melanie, son Robert, daughter-in-law Virginia, grandchildren Andrea, John and Harley, and brother Ted. John, the son of David W. and Sarah Friesen, was born and raised in Altona, MB. At the age of 18 he accepted his first job as the principal of a school in Haskett, MB where he worked for five years while completing his university degree by correspondence and in summer school. After graduating, he accepted a new teaching position while also promoting credit unions and establishing new cultural programs in Southern Manitoba. In 1942 John joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, flew 35 missions over Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross among other citations. After the war John received his M.A. and Ed.D. degrees at Columbia University in New York where he also met his future wife, Marta Korach. They lived in Winnipeg for five years where John was Director of Field Staff, Manitoba Pool Elevators. John and his family moved to Vancouver in 1953 where he was Director of Continuing Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He was also active in cultural and human service organizations, serving in positions such as President, Vancouver Institute; Board Member UNICEF BC; Founding Board Member, Vancouver International Festival; President, Canadian Association of Directors of University Extensions and Founding Member, Vancouver Opera Association. John's international career began in 1964 when he moved to Jaipur, India to direct a project in adult education sponsored by UBC and the University of Rajasthan. Two years later, he joined the Rockefeller Foundation's Population Council, developing health and family planning programs with the Ministries of Health in Turkey and Iran. In 1973 he accepted a position with Canada's International Development and Research Centre to direct regional health and family planning programs in Southeast Asia (Singapore), Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) and the Middle East (Cairo, Egypt). After returning to Vancouver in 1980, John remained active with numerous boards, international organizations and Simon Fraser University's (SFU) Department of Gerontology. John's contributions were recognized many times, including his induction as a Member of the Order of Canada and an Honorary Doctorate from SFU. The family will hold a private funeral in June and a memorial service on August 8. Those wishing to remember John can make a contribution to the John Friesen Lecture Endowment at Simon Fraser University. Cheques should be made out to Simon Fraser University, John K. Friesen Lecture Series in Gerontology and sent to the Gerontology Department, Simon Fraser University, 515 W. Hastings, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 03, 2010