INNOVATION Mar-Apr 2020

L E T T E R S

Letters to the editor containing your views on topics of interest are encouraged. Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily endorsed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Letters should be 300 words or less and can be emailed to innovation@egbc.ca. Find more information at egbc.ca/Submitting-to-Innovation. NEW IMMIGRANTS THANK FORMER ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC PRESIDENT

We would like to acknowledge the generous acts that Mr. Tim Smith, P.Geo., Eng.L., FGC, FEC (Hon.) of Westrek Geotechnical Services Ltd, and former president of Engineers and Geoscientists BC, provided to our family. Our family left Syria and moved to Jordan in 2013. I (Rahaf) arrived in Canada in late 2017 to start my master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Victoria. Since my arrival, I have been searching for a way to reunite with my family, who remained in Jordan. I was fortunate to meet some amazing members of Harbour of Hope Refugee Assistance Society, who were willing to

sponsor our family to come to Victoria. We were delighted to learn that Mr. Smith did not hesitate to offer a matching donation of $50,000 to Harbour of Hope, to help cover the expenses of sponsoring our family. My mom and my sister Reem (who is planning to become an architect) are now happily in Canada. Their immigration would not have been possible without the support of Harbour of Hope. Tim not only donated funding but also provided personal support to us as we needed guidance in deciding how to pursue our career dreams in Canada. This was new territory for us! He provided us with the August 2019 passing of Jim Stronach, P.Eng., an engineer, and physical oceanographer. Jim, who grew up in a farm in Saskatchewan, was highly respected not only within the engineering community for his outstanding quality of work, but also among his co-workers and peers for his exceptional mentorship and work ethic that serve as an inspiration to all those who crossed paths with him. Jim was one of the principals at Hayco. The 3-D hydrodynamic model that he developed, H3D, has been instrumental in answering environmental questions in BC and around the world. At the time of his passing, Jim was employed by Tetra Tech as a senior physical oceanographer, shortly after stepping down from his two-year stint as a Project Director for the Water Group. Late in his life, Jim

wise and helpful advice and connected us to people who could assist us make career decisions. This was very helpful. In addition, Tim’s acts of generosity and kindness set an example for how our future careers as an engineer and an architect could unfold. We should never hesitate to take a huge step out of our comfort zone if this would make a change in the life of another person. Our focus should be on how best grow happiness using money, rather than growing money for itself. Our family offers thanks to Tim and Harbour of Hope. Rahaf and Reem Albalkhi Victoria, BC was still dedicated to his career and maintained his tireless professionalism and dedication to technical excellence. He maintained his mental toughness, intelligence, and sharp wit throughout. We saw Jim as somewhat reserved, not known for small-talk; he appeared calm and stoic in most situations. His high standards meant that he expected the best from everyone, but people who spent enough time with him certainly noticed he cared a great deal for those around him. He loved giving life lessons, telling jokes and interesting stories, and sharing his vast knowledge on world topics. We will truly miss him.

COLLEAGUES CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF JIM STRONACH: ENGINEER, TEACHER, AND FRIEND It is with great sadness we acknowledge

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