Dr. William PETRIE

PETRIE, Dr. William December 30, 1912 January 13, 2012 Bill died peacefully on January 13, 2012 just beginning his 100th year. He was born in Victoria the youngest of four siblings and was predeceased by his parents, James and Amelia and brother's James, Jack and Robert, his wife Isabelle [nee Chodat], and adopted daughter Heather. Bill attended Victoria College and the University of British Columbia and completed his graduate work in Physics at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His early career includes: a Lecturer at the University of British Columbia, Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Manitoba, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Saskatchewan and for twenty years on the staff of the Defense Research Board of Canada, both in Ottawa and London, England. After Bill's retirement in 1971 he and Isabelle lived in Victoria and on the Saanich Peninsula where he continued exploring various fields including alternate energy sources, military technology, constitutional and environmental issues and more recently he was studying the discussions regarding climate change and global warming. Bill carried out extensive research on the Northern Lights and his wife Isabelle illustrated his publication on that subject. He combined his love of orchids and photography in the popular book, Guide to Orchids of North America that is much appreciated by collectors. During his long and rewarding retirement Bill enjoyed music, gardening, photography and dining out. He was always interested and actively involved with his immediate community. Bill and Isabelle lived many happy years in North Saanich at Eagle Ridge Estates, and in Sidney at Norgarden and the Peninsula. Special thanks to Arlene Nelson for her care and support during his last years, as well as to Island View Place for their excellent care during his last months. Bill will be remembered as a thoughtful, kind and gentle man. There will be no service; a small private celebration is planned for a later date. 648301