Obituary of Ronald (Ron) Allan COLLIE

July 9, 1928 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

September 1, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Ronald Collie, beloved husband of Jane Collie of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at the age of 93 years.

Ron was a university of Saskatchewan Mechanical Engineering graduate who spent most of his early career working on pipelines and marine facilities in Canada, the United States, Central America, North Africa, and the Middle East. In 1971, he was appointed President of Pipeline Technologists (Canada), responsible for corporate operations in Canada and overseas. He left the oil and gas sector in the period leading up to the 1988 Winter Olympics to direct the development of Olympic technical facilities, and was honoured to make his mark on that enduring legacy. He next was involved with a group studying the feasibility of high-speed rail in Alberta, then managed due diligence for the Calgary Airport Authority when control was transferred over from Transport Canada.  His last position was President and CEO of Nortech, a pioneer in the development of global positioning systems technology. He was always active in community service through groups like the Kinsmen, Rotary and Probus Clubs, the Calgary Philharmonic and the Food Bank, where he volunteered for over ten years.

Ron was an enthusiastic participant in many sports including badminton, skiing with his family and playing golf with his wife Jane and other couples, Apologies to all the horrified people who had to watch his swing. He and Jane also enjoyed playing bridge with many different groups, including one that dated back over 60 years. Ron was a very kind and generous person who loved getting together with friends and family. He was renowned for sharing jokes and painfully bad puns and was often asked to speak at weddings and social events.

Ron is survived by his wife, Jane to whom he was happily married for 66 years, his three children, Douglas Collie, (Benedicte) of Olds, AB, Anne (Paul) Wanklyn, Calgary, AB, and Donald Collie of Vancouver, BC. He was also immensely proud and fond of his five grandchildren, Jillian Wanklyn, Joel Wanklyn, Jocelyn Craig, Iain Collie and Anne Collie.Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

The family would especially like to thank the devoted staff at Trinity Lodge for the wonderful care that Ron received there. As per his wishes there will be no funeral.  If people so wish, they may make a donation to the Calgary Food Bank or a charity of their choice in Ron’s name.

In living memory of Ronald Collie, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area.