e-KNOW Editorial

“No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow.” – Euripides

The relentless passage of time that inflicts its ultimate reparation on the tired living, ceaseless be, has rolled its waves in the Columbia Valley and nearby the last year.

Several people who gave large chunks of their lives to their communities have died in the past year, and we’d like to add to the respects paid to them.

The first shocking and untimely death was Village of Radium Hot Springs Councilor Brent Frederickson.

Brent’s death shook the Columbia Valley community because he was still such a vital piece to its leadership picture.

He had been serving on village council since he helped form the municipality in 1990 and along with being a connection to that past, he was always a sharp voice of reason and intelligence.  Brent mixed a fine, easy-going manner with humour and a mechanic’s eye for fine details and it served him well. Rest in peace, Brent.

The second ‘big’ loss was RDEK Area E director Norm Walter, who actually died in December 2010.

Norm, like everyone else mentioned here, was devoted to his community and his heart was as large as he was. The former regional board chair wouldn’t take no for an answer and his loss is incalculable because he was just getting really good at the ‘being elected thing.’  Rest in peace, Norm.

Thirdly was the loss of former Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area G(RDEK) director Margrit Thierbach, of Edgewater, whose passing occurred after she had served her community for so long and so well.

Margrit, who died April 21, was an indomitable soul who commanded great respect from the male-dominated regional board during her numerous tenures in office. Perhaps the courage and grit required to escape Soviet-dominated East Germany in 1953 gave Margrit the sand she needed, but she had it in spades and was a fair and concerned politician. Rest in peace, Margrit.

Along with those elected officials, we’d like to recognize two other Columbia Valley residents for their contributions to the overall well-being of their community.

On March 29, the Columbia Valley Rockies of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, lost their strong organizational centre in Bill McIntosh, a tireless volunteer who was as responsible for the Rockies surviving hard times in the mid 1990s as anyone else.

A founding member of the Rockies, Bill was always seen doing the rounds at home games, running things at the fundraising woodpile and even driving the bus when need be.  Bill was one of those classic Canadian symbols of why our minor and junior hockey programs produce so many great players. Rest in peace, Bill.

Finally, we would like to pay respects to Dano Saunders, who died June 16.

Dano was a fixture character in Invermere, dating back to the 1980s. He was the founder of the Lakeside Hang Gliding Event and ran the colourful and exciting event for 19 years. It has become one of the signature events in the valley and it’s all thanks to Dano’s pluck and spirit that it went off every year.

Dano was a gentle soul who gave his community whatever he could and he also had the courage to speak out on issues when he felt he had to – a quality that is often not appreciated enough in our communities. Rest in peace, Dano.

We lose our family, friends and neighbours as we gain them – in the natural and often extremely unfair course of life. It is important to recognize those who make the effort to help their communities and who take the steps beyond complaining and grousing to water coolers or barrooms.

The five people we have recognized are just a small sample of the many great souls who have passed on the last year. They are examples of people who paid it forward and they will be remembered.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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