Obituary of Robert L. PIERCE, O.C., Q.C.

April 17, 1929 – March 17, 2012 Robert (Bob) L. Pierce died Saturday, March 17 in Calgary after a brief illness. A beloved husband and adored father and grandfather, he is deeply missed by his wife Eleanor (Candy) and their children Brad (Claire Pierce), Jennifer (Ross Wonnick) and Susannah; and their grandchildren Ben, Jake, Robert, Gabriela and Charlotte. He was predeceased by his son Gregory. A member of the Order of Canada, Mr. Pierce was born April 17, 1929 in Estevan, Sask. and raised in Swift Current. He had a distinguished career and made a significant contribution to the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta and our nation. He was instrumental in establishing western Canada’s world-class petrochemical industry, creating an export market for Canadian natural gas and NGLs, and developing and building natural gas pipelines across Alberta, Alaska and the Andes mountains from Argentina to Chile. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan Law School in 1952; he was admitted to the bar in 1954 and was a founding member of the Regina law firm MacPherson Neuman and Pierce the same year. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1964. After two decades as a barrister and solicitor, Mr. Pierce moved to Calgary in 1973 to join Alberta Gas Trunk Line Company. Over a 30 year career, Mr. Pierce would serve as president of NOVA Corporation of Alberta; chairman, CEO and president of Alberta Gas Ethylene and Novacor Chemicals the predecessors to NOVA Chemicals; and chairman, president and CEO of Foothills Pipe Lines. He was a long standing member of the boards of directors of NOVA Corporation and NOVA Chemicals, as well as the Bank of Nova Scotia where he was also chairman of the Executive Committee until his retirement from the board. Among his other affiliations were director of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, the Board of Governors of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, director of the Calgary Military Museums Society, master of the Regina Masonic Lodge, director of the Regina Roughrider Football Club and a benefactor of the University of Saskatchewan. Above all Mr. Pierce was a thoughtful, caring man with a deep passion for what was right, a valued and insightful counsel, mentor and friend to many, and a father who loved his family and brought out the best in them. A Celebration of his life will be held at the Salvation Army Glenmore Temple, (921 68 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In Mr. Pierce’s memory and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Military Families Fund (MFF) online at www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/mfamily/index.asp or c/o Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency, 4210 Labelle Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2 or the Calgary Military Museums Society at www.CMMSociety.ca. In living memory of Robert Pierce, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200