Obituary of David Owen

OWEN, David Hampton was born on October 23, 1925, in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, to William and Maude Owen. He passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul's Hospital on June 2, 2010, with his wife by his side, after a long courageous battle. He is predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Martha, and his only sister, Elisabeth. He will be dearly missed by his devoted wife Frauke, his stepdaughter Alexandra, his mother-in-law Erna Luttmer, his brother-in-law Hugh Mason, his nieces and nephews (including their spouses): Jim (Lucy), Laura, Kim (Eric), Joann (Wayne), Jane (Doug), and Hugh, as well as grand nieces and nephews: Gabrielle, Owen, Sean, Liam, Caileigh, Ian and Bailie. David was raised on the family farm in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. After graduating from high school in Wetaskiwin, he attended the University of Alberta, graduating with a degree in Agriculture in 1950. The highlight of his years at the university was a summer he spent at Mile 1019 in the Yukon at an Experimental Station, participating in a research project designed to investigate growing conditions in the North. David had a great time visiting Fort Selkirk and Mayo. During his time here he caught large fish, saw a grizzly close up and was so impressed with the remarkable growth that twenty-four hours of daylight produced. Upon graduation David was employed as a Livestock Field Man with Agriculture Canada. He was employed in this position for thirty-one years. Five of those years were spent in Edmonton, two in Calgary, and the last twenty-four were in Vancouver, rising to Head, Agriculture Canada Regional Livestock Production and Marketing Branch. The purpose of this job was to strive actively for livestock improvement through utilizing various federal programs. David traveled throughout the province during the course of his work and through his travels, got to know the province very well; gravel roads and all. He enjoyed working closely with farmers, ranchers, and government staff, especially District Agriculturists. It was in Vancouver that he met his first wife Martha. They spent 35 happy years together until she passed away in 1994. During his working years David became active with the B. C. Institute of Agrologists. He served as the President from 1976 to 1978. From 1978 to 1980 he was a Director of the Agricultural Institute of Canada. After his retirement in 1981, David became involved in many volunteer activities. He was an active member of St. Paul's Anglican Church, a volunteer for the B. C. Lung Association, an active member of the Reform Party of Canada, and a Director for B.C. 4H Foundation. In every organization of which he had been a member, he was an untiring volunteer, participating in any activity where he could be of assistance. He took part in almost every Terry Fox Run, and was an avid walker. In 1994, David met his second wife, Frauke, and married her in 1997. They enjoyed an exceptionally happy life together. He was loyal to his family and friends. With Frauke he started an active social life. He loved the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Opera. He also joined the Stanley Park Bowling club and various other clubs. David was a gentleman in the best sense of that word. His stable personality, caring nature, and common sense attitude have gained great respect from those who knew him. Being a generous man he was always there to help those less fortunate. He was a man of principle and integrity. Of particular note was his kind smile and his great sense of humour. David will leave a huge void in everyone who loved him. Important to his life was his faith in God. In his final days he cited the following poem of Louise Haskins: `And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown, And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way. So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night'. A funeral service will be held at the St. Paul's Anglican Church of the West End, 1130 Jervis Street, Vancouver, on Saturday, July 3, at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception in the hall of the church.