Brian GUNN

BRIAN GUNN 1937 - 2021 Passed peacefully in Campbell River on July 22. An engineer, entrepreneur, and activist, he led a long and diverse life. Inspired by a chance encounter with WAC Bennet, he worked as a cab driver and chokerman to pay his way through UBC Civil Engineering ('62). His first job as a P.Eng. on the Hope microwave tram led to a long career with Swan Wooster, building and operating bulk ports around the world. At 52, instead of planning for retirement, he donned a cowboy hat, moved to the Cariboo, and started Big Bar Guest Ranch. Building on his experience as a Burnaby alderman campaigning against intracity highways and for public parks, Brian co-founded the Wilderness Tourism Association, which today represents hundreds of nature-based tourism operators. When he sold the ranch and moved to Vancouver Island, he took up the cause of protecting wild salmon, encouraging the King of Norway and many others to improve their aquaculture practices. Recognizing the absurdity of shipping dilbit through the Great Bear Rainforest, in 2010 he founded the Concerned Professional Engineers. CPE, as intervenors in the NEB's flawed review of Northern Gateway, advocated for a safer port location that would still allow Canada to develop and export her natural resources. Brian loved to travel and was always intrigued by the 'big issues'. He went to Helsinki in '62 for the World Youth Festival, continuing through the one year old Wall to East Berlin and beyond. His work took him to Colombia, Brazil, Europe, Indonesia, Japan, China, and the Middle East, and he never missed an opportunity to run, hike, or swim, no matter the conditions or concerned protestations of locals. He led family and friends on self-guided safaris across Southern Africa, sailing trips up and down the BC coast, and packhorse expeditions through the Fraser Canyon. Brian was predeceased by his first wife Josephine, his second wife Kathleen, and his second son Daniel. He is survived by his partner of 27 years, Myrna Boulding, his siblings Ron and Judy, his children Jackie, Michael, and Dylan, and his grandsons Lucas, Joseph, and Otis. Visit sites.google.com/view/briangunn to share a memory!