THOMAS GRISEDALE ATKINSON

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THOMAS GRISEDALE ATKINSON April 20, 1929 - January 1, 2012 Dr. Thomas Atkinson, beloved husband of the late Inger Atkinson, passed away at the Edith Cavell Care Centre in Lethbridge on January 1, 2012 at the age of 82 years. Tom was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, receiving his BSc from University of British Columbia and his MSc and PhD at the University of Saskatchewan. He married Inger Torlen, on March 30, 1956 and moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where he completed post-doctoral research studies. In 1958 Tom accepted a position as a staff scientist at the Lethbridge Research Station. He became Plant Pathology Section Head in 1978 and Assistant Director of the Research Station in 1980. From 1983 until his retirement in 1990 he and Inger lived in Winnipeg while he served as Director of the Agriculture Canada Cereal Research Centre. He will be lovingly remembered for his sense of humour, quick wit and large, easy laugh, his funny dances and facial expressions that amused children and adults alike, his ingenuity, his caring nature, his perfect martinis... and for being a true gentleman. Tom is survived by his three children Heather (Bob Milner) and Lisa (Phil Stokes) of Calgary, and Eric of Vancouver; three grandchildren Sean Wilson (Melissa) and Rachel Stokes of Calgary, and Erin Friesen (Glen) of Lethbridge; and five great-grandchildren (Alysha, Gavin, Liam, Caleigh and Rory). He was predeceased by his wife Inger (in September 2011), father Robert, mother Mabel, brother Robert and sister Jenny. If friends wish to make donations in Tom's memory they are encouraged to make them to the Fort Whoop Up Fund with the LethbridgeCommunity Foundation (www.lethbridgecommunityfoundation.org). A celebration of Tom's life will be held on February 25 at the Lethbridge Lodge from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Friends of the family and former colleagues of Tom's are invited to attend.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 18, 2012