Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Richard FYFE Obituary
Richard led a storied life. Born in Saskatoon on February 1, 1932, he grew up in rural Saskatchewan. He married Lorraine Doll in 1957, and the couple embarked on the first of many adventures. After a three-year term as both an elementary teacher and principal in remote arctic communities in Nunavut, he entered into his lifelong passion as a conservation research scientist. From Ottawa, Ontario to Sackville, New Brunswick and finally settling in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Richard was employed by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Perhaps his most noteworthy contribution was his work spearheading the peregrine recovery program, which brought the peregrine falcon back from the brink of extinction. In March 2000, he was awarded Canada's highest civilian honour, the Order of Canada, in recognition of this outstanding contribution to his country.
Richard's life embodied the values of hard work, integrity and pursuing one's passions. He was a devoted father and loving husband, encouraging his five children to embrace every opportunity that life offered. Richard was an active member of the community, involved in organizations such as Rural Crime Watch, and coaching children's hockey. His involvement as an instructor of the Christopher Leadership Course touched many lives over several decades.
Richard will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years Lorraine Fyfe, and their children Kenneth (Michelle), Kipling (Victoria Brilz), Maureen (Sylvain LeClerc), Kelly (Wendy), and Carolyn (Greg Thompson). He is also survived by his grandchildren Melanie Fyfe, Nolan Fyfe, Ryan Fyfe (married to Luisa), David Fyfe, Alison Hilborn (married to Ben Hilborn), Etienne Leclerc, Joel Leclerc, Nathan Fyfe, Matthew Fyfe, Jason Fyfe, Rachel Fyfe, Michael Fyfe, Stephanie Thompson, Chelsea Thompson, and Scott Thompson. He is also survived by his great- granddaughter Rihanna Fyfe. Richard was predeceased by his mom, Agnes Fyfe, and his father, William Fyfe, and his brother Barry Fyfe (Loverne).
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Fort Saskatchewan at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: The Heart & Stroke Foundation, 100-119 14th Street NW, Calgary, Alberta 403-264-5549 www.heartandstroke.ca or The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Suite 400, 36 Eglington Ave W, Toronto, Ontario M4R 1A1 1-800-465-8005 www.natureconservancy.ca
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
22 Entries
Tracy Maconachie
January 9, 2018
I did not have the pleasure of meeting Richard Fyfe in person but his influence on my life, unbeknownst to him, has been profound. I began working with wild peregrine falcons just after Mr Fyfe retired from CWS. Manitoba's peregrine falcon recovery project began in 1981 with the release of 4 captive-bred chicks from his Wainwright facility. A few years later Manitoba's first wild nesting pair was an international effort when a Wainwright-bred male released in Winnipeg and the offspring of a Wainwright-bred female from Minneapolis, nested on a hotel just a couple of blocks from Portage and Main in Winnipeg. Since then, this pair's offspring have been responsible for producing (at last count) over 500 wild peregrines across the Canadian Prairies and the US Midwest. I'm still working with Manitoba's wild peregrines and every spring when our falcons return to nest, I thank those who refused to let them disappear without a fight. Thank you Richard.
Glen Fox
July 21, 2017
Lorraine and family; please accept my sincere condolences. Richard will be greatly missed. I grew up in Kindersley and went to school with his brother Barry, and knew his mother very well. Richard, 11 years my senior, was the local legend known as Bud Fyfe'. I too was a naturalist and Richard and his friends Ron Lamont and Alex Dzubin were very influential in my formative years as a teenager in a small prairie town. His articles and photographs in the Blue Jay fuelled my passion. I have memories of many hours spent with Richard working with birds of prey with the falconry club he formed. He also taught me some hard lessons about respect and responsibility. In 1985 I worked for Richard on birds of prey after completing my graduate degree in zoology at University of Alberta. That summer job and Richard's encouragement, mentorship and support were integral to my employment as a wildlife biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service in Ottawa. Richard and I caught up with each other's lives at our CWS annual meetings. Our last conversation was in 2000 when he was in Ottawa to receive The Order of Canada. I will always remember his humility and on that occassion. Thank you Bud!
Always the life of any party!
Bill and Tracey Smith
July 14, 2017
So proud to have to have met you Richard....to know you is to love you.
Randal Heide
July 5, 2017
Among his many other contributions to the world, Richard was an architect of the "Canada's New Noah" conservation scholarship program offered by Wildlife Preservation Canada every year since 1988. Graduates of this program (27 so far) routinely describe it as "life-changing", and are now serving in conservation leadership roles throughout Canada and internationally. As Executive Director of Wildlife Preservation Canada, and on behalf of all of our staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and - especially - all the "New Noahs", I'd like to express our condolences, and our gratitude to Lorraine, family, and friends, for being there for Richard so he could be there for so many others throughout his life. May we always be inspired by Richard's example, and never forget him.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Iola Price
July 3, 2017
Dear Lorraine - on behalf of all of Richard's CWS colleague here in Ottawa, please accept our sincerest sympathies. Tony (Keith) and I had many wonderful conversations with him and visits with the two of you in Fort Saskatchewan were a delight. Iola
Judith Golub
July 3, 2017
I had the honour and pleasure of meeting Richard a few years ago. I was overwhelmed by finally meeting a legend, having for years followed his fight to save the peregrines. such a lovely, gentle and generous man. My condolences to Lorraine and his family.
Janice Holub (Rechenmacher)
July 3, 2017
Dear Lorraine & Family,
We send you our warmest thoughts & sincerest prayers from all the Rechenmacher family, your farmyard neighbors of years gone by. Our family moved off the farm & into Dodsland in 1956 - the year before you and Richard were married. I have vivid memories of the summers when Hugo & Marie Dolls' families would come home for a visit.I think Richard was one of the first "renowned" individuals I ever met. You both were like stars on pedestals & world travelers to a young six-year-old. Sadly, our time on earth flies by, and we come to this junction in our lives. A person can tell how significant an acquaintance is by the strength of their memories. We met only on special occasions but the memories, sixty plus years ago, are as though it was only yesterday. Draw on the strength of your beautiful family, enjoy their laughter and their tears, for it is all part of God's plan. In fact, we should be very thankful knowing that God has Richard near him to help guide us all in the spirit of caring and cooperation.
Nicole Mattice
June 28, 2017
My sincere condolences to the entire family. Mr Fyfe was a dear customer of mine for many years. He brought his beautiful photography into my shop for years for me to frame for him. I loved our conversations and the stories he would tell me about each piece we were working on. What a beautiful and gentle true soul he was. My prayers are with his family now.
Jo-Anne Fischer Cassidy
June 26, 2017
Our sincere condolences to all the Fyfe family, on the loss of your patriarch. We remember Richard through the intersecting lives of our families for many years in Fort Sask., and for his amazing work. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. We hope you will be consoled by all of your memories of happy times together. Take care.
Pauline Fischer, Jo-Anne and Cheryl and families.
Ellen Gasser
June 25, 2017
Throughout my career, first as a University biology student, then wildlife biologist and naturalist and even as a recreational birder, Richard Fyfe's name and work surfaced regularly. He did so much for wildlife through his career and especially with his work on peregrine falcons. Canada and Canadians have so much to be grateful to him for. He will be missed. My condolences to all his family. I'm sad to hear of his passing. Richard was a man to look up to - an Iconic Canadian Biologist.
Ken Moore
June 22, 2017
Sincerest condolences on Richard's passing. His work will last forever! Your family should be very proud of his efforts. I'll never forget feeding the birds while you folks were away. May the many happy, cherished memories provide comfort in the days ahead.
Margaret Crerar
June 22, 2017
Lorraine, my sincere sympathy on the death of your husband. I will never forget the afternoon in the barn when my friends Harold (Bub) and Pat Weaver took me across the road to learn about Richard's work with peregrine falcons. He was a great Canadian with a lasting legacy.
Martin Sharp
June 21, 2017
I did not know Richard, but I have frequent cause to enjoy the legacy of his work - the continuing presence of Peregrine Falcons in our world. Few are those who make such a lasting impact, and I deeply appreciate and respect it. His passing is a great loss for humanity - my condolences to his family
Carol Vaage
June 21, 2017
Lorraine, Please accept my deepest condolences. It was a pleasure working alongside you both in Christophers!
June 20, 2017
My condolences to the Fyfe family. Richard's energy and "enthusiasm" (Former Christopher protege here)for life will surely be missed.
Walter Long
June 20, 2017
Dear Lorraine and family,
So sorry to learn of the passing of your beloved husband, father and grandfather! I have many fond memories of the Fyfe family during my years of teaching at OLA! May beautiful memories of times you shared, be a source of comfort in these days of sadness!
My thoughts and prayers are with you. With deepest sympathy...
our dear friend
Louise & Don Froggett
June 20, 2017
Richard was such a fun, mischievous fellow, and a great friend. We'll always picture him in his battered hat, out there looking for hummingbirds. All our love to you Lorraine, and to your family.
Ray Glasrud
June 20, 2017
It was an honor to have known Richard. He leaves a beautiful legacy.
Jane Ross
June 20, 2017
Dan and I will always remember meeting Richard and Lorraine in Victoria one winter. Since then we have enjoyed owlet bandings at their home and excellent conversations. Our thoughts are now with Lorraine.
Jody & Ken McKinnon
June 20, 2017
Our condolences to the Fyfe Family on your great loss. He was a man of many talents and skills. Always principled and so kind and full of stories and laughter. He loved his family and he and his wife were the best of friends -- such a great example!! May he rest in peace.
Lorrie Morales,
June 20, 2017
Fondly remembering swimming lessons at Loon Lake, blueberry picking and waterskiing. Remembering building igloos, feeding the falcons and playing tennis at the acreage. Dad's lifelong friendship with Bud and the many times together as married couples will be cherished. I'll always remember Bud's words in his toast to the bride at my wedding. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Lorraine and the family at this time.
Mike Mahar
June 20, 2017
Our sincere condolences to Lorraine and Family on the passing of our dear friend Richard, a kind and wonderful man who will be truly missed.
Joan & Mike Mahar
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
9914 103rd Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2C9
Make a Donation
in Richard FYFE's name
How to support Richard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
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 moreResources to help you cope with loss
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 more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Richard FYFE'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
