JIGGER SCHMIDT

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JIGGER SCHMIDT Jigger (Ronald) M. Photog., M.P.A., H.L.M. Born September 4, 1957, passed away peacefully at home May 27, 2003 with his wife Wanda by his side. Jigger was born in Fisher Branch, MB. It was here, by way of a 4H club photography project, that Jiggers passion for photography was also born. His earliest imaginative images earned him recognition and success, Jigger declared early in his life "This is what I want to do!" In 1972 Jigger moved with his family to Medicine Hat, AB. He graduated from McCoy High School, followed by a year of travel and adventure with a band before attending the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, where he graduated in 1979 with a diploma in Photographic Technology. He won awards for "Best Student" works in provincial photographic competitions and also made lifelong friendships. After graduating, Jiggers sense of adventure and determination in pursuing his career led him to Yakima, WA where he worked with Ken Whitmere and Associates for almost nine years. While he worked in Washington, Jigger found other loves, the mountains for hiking and skiing, as well as many friends and adopted families that became forever a part of Jiggers life. Canada called and Jigger returned to Edmonton in 1988 to work with NAIT classmate and friend, Jack Parker at Garneau Studio. Jigger also returned to NAIT, this time as an instructor in the photography program where he continued to teach off and on in several different capacities for many years. Through passion that never wavered and a dedication to his profession Jigger earned Master of Photography (M. Photog.) from the American Photography Association as well as the Master of Photographic (M.P.A.) Arts from the Canadian Photography Association. Most recently he was awarded with an Honorary Life Membership (H.L.M.) from the Professional Photographers of Canada for his lifelong contributions. Jiggers awards were many and some of his images are in the permanent loan collections of the Professional Photographers of Canada, the Professional Photographers of America, as well as the Photography Hall of Fame and Disneys Epcot Centre. But the photographs he was most proud of hang in the homes of the people who looked, saw, trusted and hired him to do what he always wanted to do, he was, a "Professional Photographer". Jigger measured success by his own standards and opening his own studio with his wife Wanda in 1994 was one of the proudest moments in his life. Seven years later they purchased and renovated a building that beautifully accommodated both their studio and personal needs. Having never to be far away from the things he loved most he declared himself to be living a dream and this most beautiful trophy was Geo Photographic. Jigger is survived by his loving wife Wanda, her family and her son Jesse (Jen) and Jesses children Lucas Carl and Jessica Tookey who knew him as Grandpa Jigger, and by his parents Fred and Anita, sisters Janet (Dave) Day, Susan (Claude) Tousignant, brother Fred (Tara), numerous nieces, nephews and by his Aunts Rosie, Evelyn, Margaret, Yvonne and Great-Aunt Rachel, Uncles Tony, Cubby, John and George, plus his paternal Grandmother, numerous cousins and friends. Thank you to Dr. Butts and the entire Cross Cancer Institute, Dr. Vetch and the Palliative Care team for enabling Jigger to remain comfortably at home for the durations of his illness. Special thanks to Hal Dyberg for being there and to Tara Schmidt for her professional help, strength and incredible courage. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the to a homeless shelter of your choice, or the Cross Cancer Institute, 11560 University Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2. Prayers and words from friends will be held at 7:00 p.m. June 1 at St. Anthonys Church, 10661 82 Ave., Edmonton, AB. The memorial service will be on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthonys. Private interment to follow at a later date. Arrangements in care of Harmony Funeral Services, 10541 81 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 1X7 (1-780-433-7335).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 31, 2003