Edgar KETCHAM Obituary
April 29, 1948 - September 8, 2012
Late Saturday morning, September 8th, Brock suddenly passed out of the arms of ;his wife into the arms of his Heavenly Father after a courageous 21 month-long battle with cancer.
Brock was born in Penticton, British Columbia, and he attended the University of Victoria while he honed his early journalist skills. A keen sense of justice and service were the hallmarks of Brock's career. As a reporter Brock won many awards for business and investigative journalism. He wrote for newspapers in three different provinces and freelanced for various magazines. Brock played a significant role in the Kitchener- Waterloo Record receiving the Governor General's Award, the Roland Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service in Journalism, on three occasions.
Following the end of the strike at the Calgary Herald in 2000, Brock changed careers and worked as Director of Trade Practices for the Better Business Bureau of Southern Alberta in Calgary. In 2005 he moved to Edmonton to join Service Alberta's Consumer Services and was working as Director of Cooperatives and Statute Administrator. Shortly before his passing, Brock was appointed Director of Residential Tenancies with Service Alberta.
Brock and his wife were active in the community where they served as scout leaders with 25th Edmonton Scout Group (Christchurch Parish) during his illness.
He will be deeply missed by his wife, Charlotte; parents, Bill and Betty, Comox, BC; brother, John (Jane) Qualicum Beach, BC; sisters, Dawn (Gil) Moore, Courtenay, BC; and Heather (Willy) Murphy, Campbell River, BC; and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the doctors and 'angels', disguised as nurses, of the Cross Cancer Institute for their dedicated care of Brock throughout his illness.
A Visitation will be held at First Memorial Funeral Home at 10541 - 81 Avenue, Edmonton, AB on Friday, September 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at McKernan Baptist Church, 11103 - 76 Avenue, Edmonton, AB on Friday, September 28 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Brock can be made to the Cross Cancer Institute, c/o Alberta Cancer Foundation 780-432-8500.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
22 Entries
Lori South
October 27, 2012
Our deepest condolences to Brock's family. My husband, Bob and I had the pleasure of knowing Brock and Charlotte during his time at the Kitchener-Waterloo Record. I was the editorial secretary at the time.. and always loved followed the stories Brock was researching and investigating. We are so sorry to hear of his passsing. Our deepest sympathy, Robert South and Lori Thodt South, Kitchener ON
Sheldon Alberts
September 14, 2012
What sad news. Brock was a wonderful mentor to young reporters in the Herald newsroom when I started at the paper. He always found the time to talk about stories - he was excited about the pursuit. Genuine, friendly and so committed to the craft. Will always remember the glint he got in his eye whenever he talked about details of one of his investigations – you could see it gave him great pleasure. He was always looking to right wrongs, and shine a light on issues that needed attention. What most impressed me was his humility - he carried himself with confidence, never pomp or swagger. An uncompromising journalist, and a true gentleman.
A lovely day at Rundle
Pamela Mayne Correia
September 14, 2012
Malak was a good soul. My family will be very saddened to hear he lost this battle. He reached out to my little girl with such love and helped her to share in Beavers. He understood she needed to belong too. My sympathies go to Charlotte and I hope that she is surrounded by family at this time.
September 14, 2012
It was a honor to be in Brock's presence and to have known him. A true gentlemen in every sense of the word. “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” ~Thomas Campbell.
Lynn Biggs, EAA
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Laura Shutiak
September 14, 2012
I'm very saddened to hear this news. I was one of those young journalists in the Herald newsroom. Brock was always kind and quick to share his wisdom, especially about research and legal issues; subjects he knew so well. I remember his desk piled high with documents, and his love of the photocopy machine.
Condolences to his family.
Mr. Robert Soloview
September 14, 2012
We Will MISS You "Brock" Edgar Ketcham At Mckernan Baptist On Sunday NIGHTS !! Thanks For Being A Friend And Chatting With Me And Praying And Encouraging Me Too And YES We Will Miss You On Sunday Nights !!
PEACE YES PEACE And Most Of All PRAYERS With All The FAMILIES & Friends Daily !!
PEACE Daily :}
Mr. Robert Soloview
David Heyman
September 14, 2012
I sat across from him for a year or so in the Calgary Herald newsroom. I loved talking with him and was always grateful for his advice. We went to the Herald gym a few times and he showed me how to box, and we sparred lightly for a few rounds in the months before the strike. Once, when I wasn't keeping my left hand up enough, he showed me another definition for "mouse." In pursuit of a story, he was both dogged and gentle, which was inspiring for a young reporter trying to find the right balance. Then on that fateful day he walked out of the Herald newsroom and never came back. A few years later a colleague of ours ran into him at a restaurant and said he hadn't changed a jot -- hat, glasses, speech, smile, kindness and decency were all there in full measure. I didn't know him well, but I will always wish I had seen him one last time.
That's Brock, at the back on the right
September 13, 2012
Brock persuaded me to join him in filing an entry for the Roland Michener Governor-
General's Award for Public Service in Journalism. We won.
And then we won again when the judges joined three entries from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record into one.
Brock went on to win a third time while at Kitchener while I won a Michener fellowship to study and freelance about biotechnology.
Brock was a great colleague and Charlotte an amazing free-spirited wife while they were in Kitchener-Waterloo.
We cherish fond memories and pray for God's peace and comfort for Charlotte.
Dave Pommer
September 13, 2012
My condolences to Brock's family and friends on the loss of a good man and a great journalist. I had the pleasure of working with him at the Calgary Herald.
He was an outstanding investigative reporter, unafraid to turn every stone in his dogged pursuit of truth. He was superbly organized, energetic and had a sense of humour in addition to his serious side. He will be missed.
Christina Frizzell
September 13, 2012
I had the privilege to work with Brock at Service Alberta. He was a sweet and compassionate man with a rapier wit. His smile and warmth will be greatly missed.
Gerry Baxter
September 13, 2012
A friend and a colleague. Brock was a great fellow with a terrific sense of humour. He will be missed. My thoughts are with Charlotte and Brock's family.
Marianne Therien
September 12, 2012
It was my honour to have known Brock while working at Service Alberta. His smile brightened my day. He was a gentleman. My deepest condolences to his family.
Linda Crabtree
September 12, 2012
I remember Brock well as we worked together at The St. Catharines Standard. He was an exemplary journalist and a very nice fellow. My thoughts are with his wife and family.
George Yates
September 12, 2012
I worked with Brock for the last 7 years at Service Alberta. I will always remember him as a man of great integrity who brought humour and thoughtfulness to the workplace. My thoughts and prayers are with Charlotte at this most difficult time.
Paul LaDuke
September 12, 2012
I have sent along a photo of Brock from the St. Catharines Standard sometime between 1969 and 1774.
September 12, 2012
Joe Hvilivitzky
September 12, 2012
It was my pleasure to have known and worked with Brock. He was a journalist of both great skill and integrity. And he was a heck of a nice guy.
Jim Cunningham
September 12, 2012
Brock was a hero to many of us at The Herald, and example to young journalists. He will be missed. My thoughts are with his family at this time.
Don Denton
September 12, 2012
Sad news. Condolences to all of Brock's family.
Gene McCarthy
September 12, 2012
My Record colleagues and I who knew Brock in his years here were saddened to hear of his death. We greatly enjoyed his company and his steadfastness in his years with us. We have good memories of him and extend our sympathies to Charlotte and his family.
Lisa Dempster
September 12, 2012
Heartfelt condolences to Brock's family, from another of his former Herald colleagues. Such a courageous man; I will always remember his integrity, tenacity and humour. Godspeed, Brock.
Brian Brennan
September 12, 2012
Sorry for your great loss. I was a colleague at the Calgary Herald, and also walked a picket line with Brock. He was a superb consumer reporter, the best ever to work at the Herald, a solid union supporter, and an all-around good guy. He will be missed.
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
10541 81st Ave, Edmonton, AB T6E1X7
Make a Donation
in Edgar KETCHAM's name
How to support Edgar's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Edgar KETCHAM's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
