Obituary of Jack Ronald PULLEN

Jack Ronald Pullen, P. Geoph. November 27, 1927 – September 9, 2018 It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Jack Ronald Pullen at the age of 90. Jack had been ill for the past few months and died peacefully at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary on September 9, 2018. Jack will be remembered as a successful geophysicist, enthusiastic chorister, multi-talented athlete, and dedicated father, grandfather and uncle. Jack grew up on a farm in southern Ontario, the proud son of a single working mother (Flossie Pullen) who was also his school teacher at the local one-room schoolhouse. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in geology at the University of Western Ontario (class of 1950), and, drawn by the booming oil and gas industry on the prairies, went west to find his fortune. What he found was a series of challenging jobs working for different exploration companies in Alberta and Saskatchewan. That field work helped prepare him for an illustrious, 26-year career as a geophysicist with Hudson’s Bay Oil & Gas Company where he advanced from technical assignments into management. In 1981, he joined Suncor, eventually becoming Vice President of Exploration. Jack rounded out his professional career working as a consulting geophysicist until the age of 75. That longevity was made possible by his unwavering interest in new technology and his ability to apply that technology to the tried-and-true principles of geology and seismology. Jack loved sports and was a football player, sailor, curler and skier. His favourite game by far however, was golf, and he played it avidly throughout his adult life. First at the Elk’s Lodge Golf Course and later at Bearspaw Country Club, he fine-tuned his game with extraordinary commitment and, once in a while, delightful results. Music was Jack’s other great obsession. He sang in church choirs, a community choir and helped lead sing-alongs at his retirement home. His favourite songs were ‘the oldies’, but he was willing to take on any music or arrangements that choir masters or composers could dream up. Jack also had a full volunteer life. He organized golf tournaments and other events for the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, drove patients to their cancer treatments at Tom Baker Cancer Centre for 11 years, served in numerous leadership capacities at the churches he attended, and was one of a stalwart crew that collected recyclables to raise money for his retirement home. At his essence, Jack was a person who lived his life for others. The family and friends he loved always benefited from his kindness, wisdom and generosity. He will be greatly missed and always remembered as a blessing in our lives. Jack leaves behind his children Richard Pullen, Heather Pullen (Ken Fidlin), and Stuart Pullen (Lola) – grandchildren Amanda Dacyk (Dan Dorey), Valerie Dacyk (Bohdan Onyschuk), Tyler Fidlin (Megan), Samuel Fidlin, Brendon Schmidt (Kristin Rogers) and Bronwen Schmidt (Thomas Perry) – and great grandchildren Madeson Schmidt, McKenzie Fidlin and Archer Dorey. Jack was predeceased by his daughter, Carol Dacyk (Dave) and sister, Margery Brubaker (Ed). Also grieving his loss are his former wife, Kathleen Pullen, his nieces and nephews, and many friends in the oil patch, at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, and The Boardwalk retirement home. A Funeral Service will be held at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, , T3A 1V7, on Tuesday, September 18 at 2 p.m. Reception to follow at the church. Condolences may also be shared at www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In memory of Jack Pullen, tributes can be made to the Chair of Geophysics Fund at the University of Calgary. Donations may be made by phone (403-220-8261 or Toll free 1-800-972-8632), online at or by cheque made payable to the University of Calgary – please note the Chair of Geophysics Fund in the cheque memo line. Please mail all cheques to ‘Office of Development OVC, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4’. In living memory of Jack Pullen, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle N.W. CALGARY, AB, T3G 2T3 Telephone: 403-241-0044.