Arnold WILLUMSEN

WILLUMSEN, Arnold February 7, 1936 - March 6, 2008 An intrepid traveler, Arnold set off on his final journey on Thursday, March 6, 2008...after an heroic, brief battle with cancer. Having just celebrated his 72nd birthday, Arnold did not go "quietly into that good night," rather he fought against the cancer with the same determination and spirit that he had applied to every aspect of his colorful life. His beloved wife Tania and his children were at his side at the Foothills Country Hospice in Okotoks, Alberta. Arnold will be missed by his devoted wife Tania, daughters Shauna (Gordon) Koppang and Erin (Brian) Willumsen, son Ian (Debbie) and granddaughters Amy and Laura, niece Susan (Dave), nephew John (Lisa), grandnephews Michael, Scot, Lucas and niece Nicola, mother-in-law Anne Murenko (Paul), brother-in-law Igor (Peggy), sister-in-law Lucie (Joe), nieces and nephews Jessica, Vanessa, Christopher and Andrew. Arnold was born on February 7, 1936 in Calgary, AB. He attended Strathcona School for Boys in Calgary, then moved to Appleby College in Oakville, ON where he graduated from high school. He completed his first degree in Physical Education in 1954 in Ollerup, Denmark, where he excelled as a world class gymnast. He returned to Canada and proceeded to the University of Alberta in Edmonton completing a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree in 1958. He joined the family's general contracting firm, Larwill Construction Company Ltd., where he began as a laborer on commercial construction sites and worked his way up taking over as President in 1975. After selling the firm in 1989, he started up Willumsen Ventures Inc. specializing in forensic engineering, namely structural failures. Early in his career in construction, he became concerned about the welfare of employees and was instrumental in starting the first health, welfare and pension trust funds for the construction related industry unions in Alberta and parts of Western Canada, along with Funds Administrative Services, a firm providing administration of these plans to the Laborers of Western Canada, Electrical Workers of Alberta, Bricklayers, Carpenters...... He was an expert in arbitration and resolution of union management issues and served on several international boards as trustee and chair. He served as Chair of the Calgary General Contractors Association, Canadian Board of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, The Calgary Firefighters Supplementary Pension Plan and numerous boards of trustees over a forty year period. In his spare time, he had a passion for nature - mountaineering, motorcycles, handball, photography and farming. In recent years, he became a serious photographer exhibiting and selling his landscapes. Arnold will be remembered for his integrity, chivalry and humour. The family thanks Dr. Ian Kendal, Family Physician, and Dr. Scot Dowden and his entire clinical team at the Tom Baker Cancer Center in Calgary. A special thank you goes to Dr. Eric Wasylenko, the nurses and staff of the Foothills Country Hospice for their kindness and caring. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arnold's memory may be made to: The Foothills Country Hospice Society, PO Box 274, Okotoks, AB T1S 1A5 or the Tom Baker Cancer Foundation, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2. A family Funeral was held on March 10 at Christ Church Millarville, AB, Reverend Patricia Langlois officiating. Friends and colleagues are invited to attend a public memorial tribute and reception on Friday, April 4 at 3:00 p.m. at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School. Directions: follow Highway 2 south to DeWinton exit Highway 552 (32 Street West known as Teepee Corner), turn right to 306 Avenue West then left. Arrangements are in care of SNODGRASS FUNERAL HOMES (Okotoks). Phone: 938-3111. To e-mail condolences please visit: www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com . Published in the Calgary Herald from 3/14/2008 - 3/15/2008