INNOVATION March-April 2019

L E T T E R S

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Gordon received numerous well-earned distinctions over his career, including recognition by the Canadian engineering profession with the McNaughton Gold Medal Award in 1982; the federal Department of Communications lifetime achievement award in 1988; and Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s R.A. McLachlan Award in 1989. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree (LLD) from UBC in 1991; he was also appointed to the Order of British Columbia the same year, which noted him as having “guided the transformation of the province’s major telecommunications utility into one of the most attractive places in Canada to work and invest.” Ann Patterson Belcarra, BC many relationships that built a foundation for the association’s success today. After he retired from the association, John continued to contribute his expertise to the professions including his role as a co- consultant for the nationally recognized InfraGuide Best Practice Report: Selecting a Professional Consultant. He was named a fellow of Engineers Canada in 2011 and an honorary fellow of Geoscientists Canada in 2013. The association offers its condolences to John’s family and his wife, Val Bremner,

A TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY LEADER, PASSES AWAY With sadness and with great admiration for a life well-lived, we announce the passing of Gordon Frederick MacFarlane, P.Eng., at the age of 93. Born in Victoria, BC, Gordon served as a bomber aircraft pilot during World War II. Following the war, he graduated from UBC as an electrical engineer. In 1950 he joined BC Tel (which later became TELUS), quickly ascending to the positions of Chief Engineer and then Vice President. Gordon then became President of Automatic Electric in Brockville, Ontario, and subsequently returned to BC Tel in 1977 as Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO. He held these positions until his retirement as CEO in 1990, and as Board Chair in 1997.

One of Gordon’s professional legacies was starting Microtel Pacific Research (MPR), which became the destination for developing electrical engineers and high- tech CEOs in Western Canada. MPR was responsible for the creation of many of the top technology companies in BC. Gordon served our community in many ways, including twice as Chairman of the United Way, and 11 years acting on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Aquarium, eventually as Chairman. He also served on the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council, the Business Council on National Issues, and the Boards of Directors of UBC, SFU, BCIT, the Bank of Nova Scotia, BC Gas, Air Canada, and Fletcher Challenge. JOHN BREMNER, P.ENG., FEC (HON.) Former Executive Director and Registrar of Engineers and Geoscientists BC, John Bremner, P.Eng., FEC (Hon.) passed away on March 4, 2019. career in municipal engineering, which included the position of Director, Parks and Engineering Services and Deputy Municipal Manager with the District of North Vancouver. He was active in several association committees, industry associations, and in his local branch affairs. John was passionate about his profession—a true professional who supported his colleagues and always position at the association, John said he hoped to create “an atmosphere that’s conducive to change and encourages innovation and risk-taking without fear of failure—because you don’t get anywhere if you don’t try different ways of doing things.” John led several key initiatives and fostered Before joining the association late in 1996, John had a distinguished looked for ways to reach common ground. In an interview shortly after assuming his

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