Ian Windley Duncan passed away peacefully at home on November 13, 2015, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife, Maureen Stickney; children, Maggie (Todd), Mary (Hans), Bill (Olga) and Tom (Janet); stepsons, Greg (Sudabeh) and Gerald (Kerri); 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; as well as numerous cousins across North America, Scotland and Australia. Ian is predeceased by his son, John (2011); his great grandson, Josias (2008); and his former wife, Eva Robertson (1996).
Before moving to the Shuswap in 1992, Ian enjoyed an influential career as a civil engineer. Employed by the University of Calgary in 1964, he retired in 1989 as Director of the Physical Plant. The major building projects leading up to the 1988 Winter Olympics were a highlight for him, especially the unique design and building challenges presented with building the Olympic Oval. Upon retirement, he was recognized with the title “Director Emeritus,” and in 1994, he was further honored with the prestigious “Order of the University of Calgary.”
An intelligent, patient and steadfast man, Ian was a consistent and reassuring presence in the lives of his children as they were growing up and beyond. His efforts to connect with the family’s roots in Scotland, North America and Australia have left a lasting legacy for the younger generations of Duncans. Maureen and Ian enjoyed travels to various destinations near and far, often drawn by family: Scotland, England, Ireland, Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ottawa, the east coast of Canada, many parts of BC and around Salmon Arm.
His Salmon Arm community will remember Ian as a devoted husband and an avid supporter of local businesses and institutions, including the Shuswap Film Society, the Shuswap Art Gallery Association and the Shuswap Community Foundation. They may also know him as someone who fixed a problem door, changed a light fixture, performed wizardry with mortar and trowel, or as the guy with just the right tool or right-sized bolt for the job at hand.
A Celebration of Ian’s Life will be held in Salmon Arm in the early evening of December 28, 2015. For more details, please contact ianduncan.remembered@gmail.com or Genean at 1-250-833-4052.
If you are unable to attend, we invite you write a tribute and forward it to the same email address or by mail to Ian Duncan Tribute, 47 Krick Road, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 3C6.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ian’s memory to your choice of the three organizations listed above.