August 16, 1939 - January 6, 2025
In loving memory ~
We are saddened to announce on Monday, January 6, 2025, Victor Peter Birkhiem passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at the age of 85, with his family by his side.
Victor was born August 16,1939 in Drumheller, Alberta. During his childhood and teen years, he grew up and lived with his parents and siblings in various towns within BC from Golden to Squilax, as his father worked for Canadian Pacific Railway.
After graduation from high school in Chase, Victor enrolled at Nanaimo Tech and became a mechanic. He then moved to Salmon Arm and worked for several years at Shiskin Motors. Vic liked explaining to customers how the different parts of a vehicle worked. His future father-in-law, Gus Tweeddale, was the Industrial Education teacher at JL Jackson Secondary, and encouraged Victor to take up teaching, as he had a gift for explaining how things worked. Victor then attended BCIT and UBC to obtain a Bachelor of Education Degree and then went on to teach Industrial Education.
In August 1964 Victor married his Sweetheart, Judy Tweeddale, and last August they just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They moved to Prince George for his first teaching position, returning to Salmon Arm in 1966 when Vic received a job teaching woodwork at JL Jackson Secondary on Shuswap Street. For over 15 years, Vic was also a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Salmon Arm Fire Department, Hall 3, he enjoyed playing hockey with the Salmon Arm Oldtimers, and curling was always a joy. For 15 years, Vic coached the JL Jackson girl's volleyball team. After 33 years at JL Jackson in the Salmon Arm School District, Vic retired and took up square dancing for many years with the SA Square Dance club. Victor had a remarkable green thumb and spent many hours in his garden looking after his flowers, plants, vegetables and fruits, and he loved nature. When not outside, his woodworking shop was his go-to place, where he was always building beautiful and new pieces of furniture, or watching his beloved Canucks. Victor was delighted to become a father to his three children. Alison was born in Prince George in 1966, and sons Jeff, born in Vancouver in 1969 and Tom in Salmon Arm in 1971. He was a wonderful father and an amazing grandfather.
Celebrating his memory forever is his loving wife of 60 years, Judy, his daughter, Alison Birkhiem-Linden (Mark), sons Jeff of North Vancouver and Tom (Stacey) of Prince George. Predeceased by his parents, John Jacob Birkhiem and Phyllis Elizabeth Birkhiem (Friedley), his brother Gordon Birkhiem (Shirley) of Vernon, his sister Shirley Reimer (Jim) of Kelowna and In-laws Gus and Elsie (Hollett) Tweeddale.
He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Aaron and Eli of Langley, Alexia and Taylor of North Vancouver and John Thomas, Olivia and Jacob of Prince George, many nephews and nieces and so many relatives and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
The Celebration of Life will be held for Victor on May 18th at 2:00pm, at First Community at First United Church in Salmon Arm.
Arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Service. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.bowersfuneralservice.com.
Service Details
2:00 PM