RICHARDSON, Paul W.
B.A.SC., M.A.SC., PH.D., P.eng. September 30, 1926 - June 6, 2020
Paul William Richardson passed away peacefully on June 6, 2020 at Point Grey Private Hospital. Paul was predeceased by Erlyne, his wife of 46 years, in 1997 and is survived by children Christopher (Alison), Patrick (Sandra), George (Dionne), Sheila (Don) and grandchildren Kirk, Matthew, Sheila, Anna and Paul. Dad grew up on Franklin St. across from the PNE grounds in Vancouver and attended Hastings Elementary, Templeton Junior High (where he met our mother Erlyne Kirkpatrick) and Britannia Secondary before earning Bachelor (1949) and Master (1950) degrees in Geological Engineering at U.B.C.
In 1950 Dad went to work at the Sullivan Mine in Kimberley, B.C. and married Mum in 1951. The following year they headed to Boston where Dad attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Mum worked in the Harvard Medical Lab at Mass General. In 1955 Dad received a PH.D. in Economic Geology & Geochemistry from M.I.T. with a 4.92 GPA. Christopher was born in Boston shortly before he completed his studies. We blame Christopher for Dad not achieving a perfect 5.0. Dad spent the summers during the M.I.T. years in Cape Breton working at the Mindamar Mine while Mum remained in Boston. Upon graduation he worked full time with Dome Mines and for the next 10 years they lived in Toronto where Patrick and George were born. Dad split his time with dramatic contrast, supervising exploration for Dome in the furthest reaches of Canada and wintering in Toronto at King & Bay. In 1966 they moved back to Vancouver and took up residence in Point Grey where Sheila was born. Dad managed the Newconex Canadian Exploration office in Vancouver before opening Richardson Geological Consulting in 1978 and continuing to work well into his 80s. Dad was a loyal attendee of the Prospectors & Developers Assoc. of Canada Convention for many years and always looked forward to checking into the Royal York, having a martini at the Engineers' Club and staying connected with his many friends in the industry. Dad travelled extensively throughout North America during his career and continued to travel until recently with his children. Whether in Cape Breton or California, Dad would look out the car window and say: "I've been here before". He was particularly fond of his travels with Al Sutherland and driving Route 66 with Pat. Dedicated to his profession, he visited De Beers Headquarters in London and saw the Tiffany Diamond in NY, the Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian and countless mining towns and museums. Throughout his life Dad remained a student, supplementing his training as an engineer with a love of museums and art. He learned to speak Japanese and read text books and mining journals in his leisure time.
Dad was a gentleman and will be greatly missed by family, friends and dedicated caregivers Tess and Liza. His kindness, patience and cheerful good humour in the face of the challenges of Parkinson's was unfailing. Thanks to the staff at Tapestry Arbutus Walk for their care and attention. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers donations to Parkinson Society British Columbia (parkinson.bc.ca) would be appreciated.
Walkey & Company Funeral Directors (604)738-0006