FRIENDS OF CRC NEWSLETTER January 17, 2007
Future Events:
Thursday, January 25, 2007. “Dangerous Passage”, the talk by Gerard Kenney, has been CANCELLED Unfortunately There will be no formal talk for the Friends this month. Gerard Kenney, who Friends will recall previously addressed us (September, 2005) on the topic of his book “Ships of Wood and Men of Iron”, had agreed to speak to us again based upon his next book “Dangerous Passage - Issues in the Arctic”. Unfortunately a long awaited operation has intervened and Gerry will be unable to speak to us on the 25th . We wish Gerry well. He very kindly hopes that we will invite him to address us at a later date - which we will do. On hearing this news, efforts were put in place to find a replacement speaker. The focus was upon the International Polar Year, IPY, getting underway this year, on the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, IGY, which old time DRTE Friends will recall. Via various referrals, a willing speaker has been found but unfortunately he is not available this month. We will endeavour to engage him at a later date. (Those wishing further information on the IPY could look at www.ipy.org or refer to Jeffrey Simpson’s article in the Globe and Mail on October 25, 2005).
Thursday, February 22, 2007. Mark your calendars for this date - John Brebner, Photographer, CRC Creative Visual Service has kindly agreed to speak to us again this time on the topic of the “Latest Developments in Digital Photography”. We have suggested that John’s talk could focus upon the impact that these developments may have upon the average photographic hobbyist or be adapted for his/her use.
For our March and April events, we have in mind presentations on “Garden Landscaping” and possibly an update on “Smartscope”. Alternately we could pursue the IPY topic or invite Gerard Kennedy once he has recuperated from his operation. Of course suggestions from Friends of possible topics or speakers are always welcome.
APRIL 2007. ANNUAL LUNCHEON
We would like to know how many people would like to change the venue of the luncheon.
1. Almonte
2. Oxford Station
In April it might be nice to take a little trip out of the city. Would you please phone Friends of CRC at 613-990-6673 and leave a message indicating if you would be interested in going out of town and which of the two places would suit you. Also give your name and telephone number.
Your response would be greatly appreciated by Thursday, 15 February 2007.
Thank you for your participation.
Social Committee, Friends of CRC
E-mails Received:
From: Friends
To: Paul Wittke
Cc: Don Ross
Sent: January 5, 2007 14:47
Subject: Re: Death of Frank E. Smith
Thank you for the note Paul. Frank was always a gentleman and I am personally sad to hear of his death.
Stu McCormick
On 5-Jan-07, at 2:06 PM, Paul Wittke wrote:
Over the years, I have kept in touch with Frank E. Smith who among other things was I believe the first Director of the Radar Laboratory. He was living in Parksville. B.C. During the past
year or so he was suffering from cancer. I have just be been informed that he passed away early on January 1, 2007.
Paul Wittke
---------------------
From: George Davies
To: Don Ross for Friends of CRC
Sent: January 10, 2007 2:31
Subject: Re: Death of Frank E. Smith
Don:
Thank you very much for advising us of the death of Frank Smith. He was of the generation of Lew Hatton and just a little ahead of the rest of us. I believe it would be very helpful if you can locate an obituary. Paul Wittke would be a good source. Paul and Frank worked together for many years, including the years after Paul Wittke went to Queens University.
George Davies
---- Original Message ----
From: "John Strickland"
To: "Don Ross for Friends of CRC"
Sent: January 10, 2007 9:01
Subject: Re: Death of Frank E. Smith
Hi Don
As I recall, Frank used to teach on occasion at Queen's University. We travel to Kingston every few weeks, often by Hwy #15. Near Elgin, there's a sign that points to Frank Road to the left and Smith Road to the right. Every time I travel this highway, I'm reminded of Frank Smith.
John
Deaths:
Dear Don,
I have attached an obituary written by John World who is an old friend of Frank's from Parksville.
Sincerely,
Paul Wittke
Frank E. Smith, age 84, died at Anne L. Duggan’s Care Home, on Monday, January 1st, 2007, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born October 15, 1922, in the town of Parksville, British Columbia, to the late Ed and Violet Smith. After graduating from Qualicum Beach High School, he joined the Air Force, with his ham-radio experience, to research radar development in the Second World War. In 1944, he was the only Canadian chosen to work on radar research with a small group of British scientists.
After his 5 years with the Air Force, he went on to continue his studies at the University of British Columbia in September of 1945. After completing his Bachelor of Science, he went on and completed the Masters program and by 1951 had completed his thesis. On completion of his graduate work, Frank joined the Electronics Laboratory of the government Defence Research Telecommunications Establishment in Ottawa, which later became part of the Communications Research Centre (CRC).
He has had more accomplishments in his life than would fit in this obituary. Some highlights are: when he built the first TV on Vancouver Island, while he was attending UBC. He worked on ‘Alouette I’, Canada’s first satellite. He started a communication program at Queen’s University, which went on to be a leading edge in research in Communication Theory. He became the first director of the Radar Research Laboratory, a new sector of the CRC, in 1974-1978. He also worked on the Canadarm, one of the more recent Canadian space projects. Some of his more recent studies are in Chaos Mathematics. This is just a glimpse of his accomplishments.
But Frank was not just centred on his profession. He always would think of other people before himself. He was very interested in music, and was a great clarinet player. He had an amazing sense of humour, and could put a smile on anybody.
He is survived by Cousin Marie (John) McFadyen, and their daughters Marnie and Laura. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother Victor Roy. He is further survived by his colleagues, and very close friends the World Family, and his neighbours.
By his request there will be no service.
We thank Anne L. Duggans’s Care Home for their excellent care. For more information about his work with radar, please visit www.friendsofcrc.ca .
Written by John World and submitted by Paul Wittke
From Ottawa Citizen, Monday, 22 Jan. 2007:
Delos Hansen
HANSEN, Delos Ross (Del) Gone to join Jean on Saturday, January 20th, 2007.
Del was born to Albert and Bernice Hansen on August 5th, 1920 on a farm near Viscount, Saskatchewan. He began as an announcer at CFQC in Saskatoon before moving to the electronics side of radio, and then to wartime work monitoring enemy radio traffic. His career after that was in telecommunications research and engineering with the Department of National Defence. He was officer-in-charge of the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Radar Laboratory from 1958 to 1963, and retired in 1975.
He was active in church activities throughout his life, including Young People's, choir, Sunday School teaching, men's associations, and service as an Elder. He worshipped at Viscount, Parkdale, Wesley, and Woodroffe United Churches, and at St. Paul's and Westminster Presbyterian. He taught a well-remembered Pastoral Care course in Ottawa for many years.
Jean, his wife of 62 years, passed away last July. He is survived by three sons, Kirk (Mary-Anne), Kent (Eleanor), and Blair; grandson Scott; niece Maureen (Jim) Scott; and cousins in Western Canada.
Friends may visit at the West Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 150 Woodroffe Avenue at Richmond Road, on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 24 until service time in the Chapel at 11:30 a.m. Reception to follow. Interment Pinecrest Cemetery. Contributions to the Starwood Family Support Group, 114 Starwood Road, Nepean, Ontario K2G 3N5 would be appreciated.
Editor’s Comments:
The “Friends of CRC Executive” wish Everyone a Very Happy and Healthy 2007.
Since our beginning in 1994 this is the first time we have had to cancel a talk at CRC. We are very thankful for the Executive Members who have organized these talks over the years as these talks are the main function of our organization. For the past few years Graham Booth has done an exceptional job of obtaining speakers with interesting topics. He worked very hard to try and find a replacement for Gerry. Thanks Graham.
Jim
Until next time
Jim Sawtell
iq4u@storm.ca
613-836-5795
3701 Carling Avenue 3701 avenue Carling
P.O. Box 11490 Station H C.P. 11490, succursale H
Ottawa, Ontario K2H 8S2 Ottawa, Ontario K2H 8S2
613-990-6673 613-990-6673
Website: friendsofcrc.ca
E-mail: crcfriends@igs.net
Membership: Don Ross donross@magma.ca
