Obituary of Volkmar SCHMIDT

August 27, 1932 – May 13, 2012 Dr. Volkmar Schmidt passed away peacefully on May 13, 2012. He was born August 27, 1932 in Heidelberg, Germany and was the youngest of five siblings. He received his PhD from Kiel University, Germany in 1961, thereafter joining Mobil Oil as a petrologist in Dallas, Texas. In 1968 he transferred to Calgary to establish the geological laboratory of Mobile Oil Canada. He lived in a bachelor’s house by the river called The House, renowned for its parties, where he met his beautiful wife Sylvia de Sa in 1970. They had two children, Carmen and Fiona, who were involved in the arts and now live in London, England and Seville, Spain respectively. In 1976 he joined Petro-Canada, designing and establishing another laboratory which now forms part of the University of Calgary. In the same year, the family moved close to Bowmont Park, and the park and views of the river and Rockies were very dear to him. In later years he founded PetroScan, lectured extensively in China and Libya, and worked as a consultant for Teknica. Throughout his career and personal life, Volkmar traveled extensively around the world forming many friendships along the way and revisiting his favourite people and places. His character was marked by a love of nature, poetry, classical music, daydreaming/philosophizing, and hiking. He is survived by his wife Sylvia, daughters Carmen and Fiona, grandchildren Chiara-Noelle and Milo, his siblings Waltraud and Bernhard, and numerous nephews and nieces. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W.) on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W.), on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queens Park Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Volkmar Schmidt, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.