The following Passages were shared with our community in the Spring 2021 issue of School Ties:
Munroe ‘Roe’ Archibald ’64
From Creston, BC, Munroe entered University School at the beginning Grade 9. He was an avid athlete and became House Prefect in his final year. He graduated from UVic in 1969 with a degree in Psychology and Sociology, and then travelled first to England then to France to study French at the Sorbonne. From there he moved to New Zealand, earning his Master of Arts degree in 1975. Munroe continued living in New Zealand, working for the government. He returned home to Canada in 1977, settling in the family home in Sidney. He worked as an assayer in numerous mines throughout North and Central America. Munroe will be deeply missed by his family, his dear friends and neighbours, and by many of his friends from University School. Munroe was born on March 17, 1946 and passed away September 8, 2020.
Wolfgang Binder ’66
Born in Heilbronn, Germany, Wolf came to Canada with his family at age 7. Moving to Victoria from northern BC, he completed high school at University School in 1966. After he earned his PhD in Forest Sciences from Oregon State University. Dr. Binder (many friends called him “Doc”) was a research scientist in Victoria with the Ministry of Forests, Research Branch from 1981 to 2003. His extensive research has left a legacy of more than 100 science publications. He was an Adjunct Professor at both UVic and Simon Fraser University and a member of the Association of Professional Biologists for more than 20 years. In addition to his many scientific endeavours, Wolf enjoyed myriad activities including travelling, skiing, dancing, and golfing, and had a soft spot for dogs, especially German Shepherds. After retirement he followed his interests in astronomy and went from using his real pilot’s license to simulated flying on his computer! After a stroke, Wolf faced three years of challenges with courage and tenacity while keeping his spirit of generosity and kindness to the end. In addition to his family, several friends and former colleagues enjoyed regular visits with Wolf to share memories and laughter. Wolf passed away on June 23, 2020.
Kimberly Bourne ’97
Kimberly is affectionately remembered as kind and caring with a gentle spirit and a warm heart. She attended St. Margaret’s School for Girls before graduating from SMUS and later became a medical office assistant in Victoria. Friends and teachers shared that Kim had an optimistic outlook on life and an unwavering loyalty to her friends and family. Kim’s unique style, cheeky smile and ‘twinkle of mischief’ are some of the memories that will live on and be shared with her two daughters, Lauren and Lily-Ann. Kim was born May 25, 1979 and passed away February 23, 2020.
Cameron Buckingham ’10
Cameron started at SMUS in Grade 3 and graduated in 2010. His favourite activities were music and theatre, and he was always very proud to be associated with SMUS. He is remembered by his family and many wonderful friends as the most caring, pleasant, kind, and thoughtful young man. He had a quick and ready smile, a wonderful sense of humour and a selfless and charismatic nature. His parents, Bill and Sharon (both former staff and faculty members) and his sister, Heather ’08, loved him so much and were so proud of him and feel they’ve been blessed to have had him in their lives for 28 too short years. Cameron was born April 4, 1992 and passed in December 2020. Cameron’s Celebration of Life was held in the SMUS Chapel and can be viewed at sites.google.com/smus.ca/cbuckingham/home.
Tim Creery ’40
Tim was a second-generation student at University School having followed in his father’s footsteps. He later graduated from the Royal Canadian Naval College but pursued a career in journalism, equipped with a BA from McGill. By the late 1950s, he was Parliamentary Correspondent at the Montreal Star’s Ottawa Bureau. Tim had an extensive career in journalism covering everything from the civil rights movements in Washington to the rise of Quebec Nationalism. He spent five years reporting on the Cold War and decolonization in Europe and Africa, and eventually returned to Canada in 1973. He continued writing and editing for many years, spending summers in his wife Carolyn’s beloved Annapolis Valley. Tim was born in Victoria on December 31, 1928 and passed away October 20, 2017.
John C. Edwards ’50
Born in Ottawa, John was raised on both coasts, thanks to his father’s naval career. He attended University School from 1948 to 1950 and went on to pursue accounting studies at Victoria College and UBC, obtaining the Certified General Accountant designation and spending his working life primarily in the federal public service, retiring in 1999. A believer in heritage preservation in Victoria, he restored his own home to its original 1903 condition and served as the treasurer of the Hallmark Heritage Society since 1976. More recently, he was involved in the restoration and conversion of Fairfield’s Ross Bay Villa. His community service was recognized in 2002, when he won the CGA Community Service Award. John was deeply dedicated to his family and will be greatly missed. He passed away after a brief illness in February 2020.
Richard Hawkesworth ’61
A graduate of University School, Richard studied Economics at UBC and, after earning his degree and taking a gap year in Australia, he became an investment banker in Vancouver. Ten years later he started investing privately in a full-time capacity. His continuing success led to an active life as a philanthropist. His interests included environmental issues, organic agriculture, village development in Laos and, not least, his old school to which he contributed generously over the years and in his final bequests. He travelled widely for sport and leisure, and was regularly in Laos. There, together with his partner Miina, he implemented numerous development projects including schools, health clinics and community services. He is survived by Miina, his sister Jennifer and brother Nigel Hawkesworth ’62, and their children and grandchildren, to whom he was devoted.
Malcolm Hodgins ’50
Malcolm was born in Victoria and grew up in Qualicum Beach and South Africa. He initially attended Brentwood College School from 1945 to 1947 but when the school burned down, he completed his high school education at University School. Malcolm was very involved in the sport program earning his First XI Cricket Colours and also playing a key role on the First XV Rugby team. In addition, he was a Lieutenant in the school Cadet Corps and graduated after a full two years of school activities, in 1950. He worked around boats and marinas for many years and, after graduation, had a fishing charter business in Qualicum, then worked in the Coast Guard all over the BC coast. He ‘retired’ to a life of gardening, where he created many beautiful gardens around Victoria. He will be missed by his partner of many decades, Barbie, his four children and six grandchildren. Malcolm was born April 27, 1931 and passed away May 24, 2019.
Patrick Hunter ’03
Patrick attended SMUS for Grades 11 and 12 after attending both Glenlyon Norfolk School and Shawnigan Lake School. He referred to this as “The Continental Tour of Education” and made dear friends at all of them. Patrick had an entrepreneurial spirit, working at several different companies including his father’s for a few years and more recently he was passionately involved in a few start-up companies and focused on helping them grow into their potential. He is remembered by many friends as a ‘vibrant character’ who was warm, loving, fun, and a bright light. He will be missed by his family as one who loved fiercely and in return was fiercely loved. Patrick was born August 12, 1985 and passed away January 16, 2020.
Duncan Lee ’80
Duncan, originally from London, England, moved to Hong Kong in 1966 where he attended St. Paul’s Co-educational School before studying in Switzerland. He came to BC in 1974 where he attended SMUS and then Simon Fraser University. Duncan moved back to Hong Kong in 1987 where he later established Design Logic, an interior design company which he maintained until his death. Duncan was loved for his playful energy, enthusiasm, and love of life. He was a connoisseur of food and wine, and for a few years was a partner in a popular Hong Kong restaurant. Earlier, he raced cars in Southeast Asia. He and his wife Miranda married in January 2012. Duncan enjoyed travelling, not only with Miranda but also with his late brother Edwin and their mother, and he made frequent trips to Vancouver to visit his father, Edwin and friends. Duncan was born on February 20, 1961 and passed away on November 20, 2018.
Robert LeNoury ’79
Rob was born in Kano, Nigeria but grew up in Victoria. He attended SMUS where he developed many lifelong friendships. Rob obtained his Biochemistry degree at UVic, his Recreation Facilities Management diploma at Langara College and his Mediation certificate from the Justice Institute. Rob eventually settled in the Okanagan with his loving wife, Katrina, and son, Michael, who were the light of his life. Throughout his long career in youth and family services, Rob used his own blend of humour, truth and life experiences to assist many of our most vulnerable community members. He was passionate about all sports as a player, fan and father. Rob loved a good debate but will more likely be remembered for his kind and gentle spirit. Robert was born June 27, 1961 and passed away April 16, 2020.
Christopher Pollard ’56
Chris was a lifelong resident of Victoria. He grew up in Oak Bay and graduated from University School in 1956. “Moose” was a stellar all-round athlete, excelling in his chosen sport of rugby as a forward and travelling to Japan in 1959 with the provincial team as its youngest member. After working as a forest surveyor and marrying Sunny in 1961, Chris studied at UVic, and then joined University School as a geography and economics teacher and rugby coach. His wife also joined the staff at SMUS. Chris and Sunny were a loving team, who enjoyed collecting art, working on their old stone Maclure house, hosting friends and family, and travelling the world together. Chris’s second career was working with the province as a youth probation officer until his retirement. Students and former clients will remember him as a patient, kind and understanding man who always saw the potential in youth, used his authority wisely and led with compassion. He loved a good conversation, a good laugh and good company. Chris’s two children, Matthew ’83 and Lindsey ’85, remember him as a wonderful father and grandfather, who supported his children and grandchildren in all their activities – however strange to him – and encouraged them to pursue whatever brought them joy. Christopher passed away February 8, 2021.
Arthur ‘Nowell’ Stables ’46
Nowell attended St John’s-Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg but around the start of the Second World War the family moved to Victoria where Nowell attended St. Michael’s School from 1943 to 1946. Nowell became a chartered accountant and later the Registrar at the University of Regina where he worked until retirement. Nowell married his wife Anne in 1958 and they settled in Regina where they built their home and raised their two sons, Rob and Doug. They would spend their summers and all available time at a cabin they built at Fishing Lake in the 1980s. Nowell made friends and impacted the lives of everyone he met, but the greatest impact he made were on his grandchildren who will carry his legacy and cherish his life. Nowell was born on May 10, 1931 and passed away May 25, 2019.
Dermod Travis ’78
Dermod spent seven years at SMUS, holding the position of Head Boy in his graduating year. While at the school, Dermod was involved in debate and drama and had a reputation for speaking up and advocating for worthy causes. His early hopes of becoming Prime Minister of Canada didn’t end up being his calling in politics. However, one could argue that Dermod left an even more impactful legacy. He attended UBC, worked in Edmonton for the Alberta Liberal Party and spent more than 20 years as a political consultant in Montreal. In 2004, he became director of communications and director of media for the federal Green Party of Canada ahead of that year’s federal election. After he left the Green Party, Travis served as executive director of the Canada-Tibet Committee, helping refugees and their families immigrate to Canada. Later, as the Executive Director of Integrity BC, Dermod focused his efforts primarily on financial electoral reform and advocating for political integrity and social justice. Remembered fondly by family as a ‘grand person’ with an old soul and a wry sense of humour, and by colleagues as a ‘political professional and activist who tried hard to make Canada and British Columbia a better place’, Dermod will certainly be missed by many. He was born on June 3, 1960 and passed away June 1, 2020.
Monty Tyrwhitt-Drake ’39
Monty attended St. Michael’s School until 1935 and then graduated from Shawnigan Lake School in 1939. He studied at McGill University until he was called to serve in the Second World War in Europe. Monty met Nancy Lang, a Red Cross ambulance driver, in Belgium in 1945; they were married in June 1946, in Nancy’s hometown of Toronto. Monty graduated from UBC Law School in 1949. After a short time in Toronto, they moved to Victoria, where he practised law until appointed to the bench of the County Court in 1962, at that time its youngest member. He served with distinction until his retirement as a Supreme Court Justice in 1997. Monty had a love for fly fishing the rivers of the world, participating in “all things Jane Austen” and myriad activities in between. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and wisdom. He was born October 14, 1922 and passed away May 15, 2015.
Beta Willeboordse ’15
Beta attended SMUS from 2009 to 2014. Those who knew her during her time at the school would remember her as a gifted athlete. Beta was a valuable member of the basketball and track and field teams, but she really found her home on the volleyball court. She later went on to play on the varsity volleyball team at Capilano College in Vancouver and was a member of the New South Wales team during a short period living in Australia. Beta is remembered by her SMUS community as someone who believed in inclusivity and equality, and she led by example with her openness and ability to make everyone feel valued and accepted. She will be missed dearly by her friends, family and the SMUS community. Beta was born January 24, 1997 and passed away on May 20, 2020.
Gerald Williams ’59
Gerald attended St. Michael’s School from 1949 to 1954. Gerry went on to enjoy a long career working for the Lands Branch of the provincial government, retiring in 2004 after 35 years where he made many friends with his fun-loving nature. Gerry was a natural artist; he painted beautiful canvases and enjoyed joining Karen, his wife of 30 years, playing their guitars. He loved soccer, and was a coach and referee both in Sooke and Juan De Fuca. He also loved playing golf and in retirement was the president for the Metchosin Seniors Golf Club. Gerry passed away in March 2015.
