Obituary of Richard Wildon LOFTHOUSE

LOFTHOUSE, Richard (Dick) Wildon June 29, 1932 – Windsor, Ontario November 23, 2016 – Calgary, Alberta ‘A life well lived’ Dick was born to an English family living in Canada. They returned to England when he was very young, and were living in London when war broke out. He was one of the children that had been mass-evacuated from London during the Blitz. After the war, his family returned to Yorkshire, where Dick finished school, entered university, and served in the Yorkshire Para’s, Leeds Rifles and East Yorkshire Rifles. Having graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Math and Physics, Dick emigrated from England to Canada in 1953, where he initially worked as a seismic calculator in the Alberta oil exploration field. He met his future wife, Corinne Nicholson, while Scottish Country Dancing, and they were married November 8, 1957. Over the next decades, Dick and Corinne raised their four children, Derek, Brian, Wendy, and Ian. Dick added Masters degrees in Analytical Chemistry, and BioChemistry, and taught Chemistry at SAIT. He also taught the EMT hi-angle rescue course. An avid climber in England, he brought his passion to the Canadian Rockies, where he paved the way for following generations. Dick, a Mountain Guide, was one of the founding members of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, a long-time leader of the Calgary Mountain Rescue Group, and a life-long member of the Calgary Mountain Club. Dick was also a musician, playing clarinet in concert bands, and later, concertina, accordian, and Northumbrian small pipes. He was a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Folk Club. Over the years, he spent time as a bicycle racer, rally driver, cross country skier and racer, hiker and kayaker. In his later years, Dick doted on his grandchildren, Erik Richard, Mary Kathryn, Victoria Anne, Emma Alice. In lieu of flowers, buy yourself a bottle of good whiskey, and enjoy it in his memory. A wake will be held to celebrate Dick’s life. Please join us at the Joyce on Fourth (506 24th Ave SW), on Saturday, December 3, 2016, from 1:00p.m. until 4:00p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Dick Lofthouse, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.