ARTHUR BAMBRIDGE SPARLING

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ARTHUR BAMBRIDGE SPARLING January 3, 1930 October 30, 2011 Art passed away peacefully Sunday, October 30, 2011 following a short illness. He lived a full rich life was a loving husband, father, grumpa and friend and he will be dearly missed. Born in Rossburn, MB, he was the son of Reverend Douglas and Reita Sparling. He grew up living in Flin Flon, then Morris before moving to Fort Garry. The values he learned from his parents sustained him throughout his life. Art was always proud to call himself a preacher's kid. Art loved Barb, his wife of 55 years. Together they created a warm and nurturing household filled with friends and their five sons, Jim (Denise), Paul (Karla), Thom (Carole), David and John (Andrea). Art was a dedicated father and the grandfather of Alexander, Anika, Declan, Finley, Rowan, Elizabeth and Shea. Art was predeceased by his parents, his brother Harry and his son David. Art lived most of his adult life in Winnipeg, choosing a career as a Professional Engineer obtaining a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Manitoba, a Masters from University of Toronto followed by a Doctorate in Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Art had a long and distinguished professional career, winning a number of national and international awards as well earning the respect of peers. He began working for the Province of Manitoba and was especially proud of the work he did to design and construct water treatment facilities and then mentor and support the plant operators so that people in communities throughout Manitoba had clean and safe water supplies. Art spent the latter half of his career as a professor at the University of Manitoba where he established the Department of Environ-mental Engineering. He influenced and inspired his students, many of whom continue to make a difference in the field of water quality throughout the world a legacy that made him justifiably proud. His career took him half way around the world as a research Fellow in England and continued after he retired as a CESO volunteer advisor in China, Indonesia and Peru. An avid sportsman, Art played hockey and lacrosse as a young man and continued to enjoy curling, golf and fishing as he grew older. Art enjoyed a good game of bridge and was known to skunk any and all comers at cribbage. He was a father who coached, cajoled and otherwise encouraged his sons to be active and aware of the world around them. Art was perceptive, conscientious, sometimes gruff and other times emotional, but as we all clearly knew he had a fine sense of humour and a keen wit. One of his passions was an enduring love of the wilderness and he took his family on many camping and boating adventures before settling at the family cottage at Winnitoba in 1971. He loved the lake, and his friends and the community there became a central focus of his life. A Memorial Service to celebrate Art's life will be held at the Fort Garry United Church at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday November 3, 2011. Art's family would like to extend a warm thanks to the caring staff at both the Victoria Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Art Sparling Bursary. This bursary was established when Art retired from the University to help support graduate level Civil Engineering students. Donations can be made care of the Development and Training program at the University of Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 02, 2011