Obituary of Norman E. Wagner

Dr. Norman Wagner of Calgary died peacefully in his sleep, with his family at his side, on Friday, December 10, 2004, succumbing to a six year battle with cancer. He was 69. Dr. Wagner was President of The University of Calgary from 1978 to 1988. He was active in the community and served on many boards, including: The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program, APEGGA, OCO ’88 (the organizing committee of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games), National Advisory Board on Science and Technology, and Alberta Universities Coordinating Council. Born in Edenwold, SK in 1935, he went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinities from the University of Saskatchewan in 1958, a Master of Arts in 1960 and Ph. D. in Near Eastern Studies in 1965 from the University of Toronto. From 1962 to 1978, Dr. Wagner taught Near Eastern Languages, Literature and Archaeology at Wilfred Laurier University and was Dean of Graduate Studies and Research from 1974 to 1978. He founded the School of Religion and Culture, and the WLU Press. Dr. Wagner served for ten years as President of The University of Calgary where he was a founding member of Calgary Research and Development Authority, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, and the Canadian Centre for Learning Systems. He served as Chairman of Alberta Universities Coordinating Council and the Council of Western Canadian University Presidents during his tenure. He served on the Board of Directors of Alberta Natural Gas Co. Ltd. from 1988 to 1995 and was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer from 1991 to 1994. From 1996 to 2000 he was President of the Corporate-Higher Education Forum, and worked as a consultant for knowledge@work. His honors include: Officer of the Order of Canada, 1989; Honorary LL.D., Wilfrid Laurier University, 1984; President Emeritus, The University of Calgary, 1990; and Honorary Patron, The _cole Biblique et ArchÚologique Fran_aise Jerusalem – The Library Project. Dr. Wagner is survived by his wife Cathy; his children, Marj and her husband Fred Koepke, Richard Wagner, and Jan and her husband Robert Walsh; and his granddaughter Stephanie Koepke, all of Calgary. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive SW) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 944 – 2433. In living memory of Dr. Norman Wagner, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, AB, T2S 2L5. Telephone: (403) 243-8200. “Dad was our best friend, mentor and a role model for all of us. He took an active part in all our lives, actively encouraging each and every one of us. He was the most generous person we knew, putting needs of others ahead of his own. His passion for history, music, sports, the arts and most of all education, has left an imprint on all of us as well as many others. We will deeply miss him.”