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David Pike Obituary
August 1, 1949 - November 11, 2023
Beloved husband and best friend of Robin, exceptionally proud and committed father to Andrew (Luna) and Duncan (Carmen), happy new granddad of Winnie. Forever Big Brother to Little Sister Susan Wendorf (Keith).
Archaeologist by profession, an open and curious mind, strong intellect, well-read, well travelled, with a ready sense of adventure and fun. Accomplished and talented in many areas including woodworking, bluegrass music, model railroading, and landscaping. Lived his life on the level, with a strong moral compass, sense of fairness, solidarity and equality.
A kind and gentle man dedicated to his family, friends, and community.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Jim's honour to the Broadmead Care Society.
Memories and Condolences
for David Pike
18 Entries
Gordon Robinson
August 15, 2024
This is such sad news. Jim taught me so much when I was a young man. I worked with him in archaeology for two months during the summer of 1975. He was my senior at 26 and I was his assistant - a 20 year old immature geology student. We travelled throughout the southern interior of BC with a tent trailer prospecting for source materials that the First Nation Peoples would have used in their tool and weapon making. Jim enjoyed the finer things in life: Gibson´s guitar, Nikon camera, pipe with a Merscham bowl, Rocheford Blue Cheese salad dressing, and ... martinis. I recall sitting in a bar in Cranbrook, all of us drinking beer except for Jim. He ordered a martini and was put off when it arrived without an olive. He told me that Robin´s dad swore that Jim made the best martinis. One hot afternoon in the Thompson Valley east of Cache Creek we talked to a farmer´s wife to get permission to go on the land to check out some rocks. She said " Go ask my husband, he´s out on the tractor, but he´s not going to like you guys - he hates government workers and hippies." We were working for the government and Jim had a ponytail- so kinda looked like a hippie. I thought "This is not going to go well". In the end, Jim´s charm won over this giant red necked farmer and we we allowed on the land. Thank you for the memories and mentoring Jim! You were a super guy. My condolences to Robin and all of Jim´s family and friends. Gord Robinson in Revelstoke.
David Chase
April 13, 2024
Jim's smile was infectious at the Memory Cafe gatherings. He will be missed by all who know him.
Kim Stuart ( Rodgers)
January 7, 2024
I can´t believe it. I used Jimmy´s wrong name throughout my entire last submission. (I´m ill right now and have a foggy brain) I always knew him as Jimmy Pike. My apologies to Jimmy and everyone.
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Morley Eldridge
December 1, 2023
Sorry to hear this. I think I met Jim first at one of the parties in the 70s when archaeologists from all over BC would rendevous at an often remote location. He worked with us on many permits over the years and was sometimes firm and often flexible and willing to listen to alternative approaches. He wasn't tied to his desk - Jim came down to help once at Willows Beach after a probably frenzied phone call from me that yes, the report of a late afternoon discovery of probable ancestral remains in a service trench by the City was indeed true. We worked late into the evening using the lights of his Volvo (?) to illuminate the work area. Wouldn't meet First Nations requirements these days. He also excavated another time, at the same site, a ritual feature that consisted of a perfectly round dished excavated pit filled with charcoal, overlain by a layer of white sand also in a perfect circle and that was overlain by a rock cairn with a dog skeleton burial. Thanks to his meticulous excavation we got some of the clearest images of such a feature ever found on the Northwest Coast that I still use in presentations to this day. I rarely saw him, and by chance, after he retired but missed his conversations!
Morley Eldridge
November 30, 2023
I knew Jim from the mid 1980s although I think we were both at some of the mega parties that brought archaeologists from around the province for bashes in the 1970s. Jim at the Archaeology Branch was always kind and helpful, steering me through new permitting procedures, and helped me through dozens of permits. Not chained to his desk, I vividly remember him coming down to the Oak Bay Teahouse area at Willows Beach late in the day after city workers had uncovered ancestral remains in a service line excavation. Jim lined up his car (a Volvo I think it was) so the headlights illuminated the area we had to dig to remove the person's remains for reburial by lekwungen specialists. He volunteered his time. He also helped another time at the same site, and did a beautiful job of excavating a cleansing ritual feature that had a perfect circle of charcoal overlain by a layer of bright white beach sand also in a perfect circle. Over this was a rock cairn containing a dog burial. Some of the best photos ever on the Northwest Coast for such a feature were the result of his meticulous excavation skills. I hadn't seen him much since he retired other than bumping into him a couple of times, but always enjoyed his company and quiet wit.
s. huculak, Archaeology Manager, Capital Regional District
November 30, 2023
Jim was a great Project Officer. Always willing to chat and bat around ideas with new and seasoned archaeologists. I really missed collaborating with Jim when he retired from the Branch. My deepest condolences to his friends and family.
Mike Rousseau
November 29, 2023
Greatly saddened to learn of Jim´s passing. He was routinely assigned to many of our projects over several decades and I always looked forward to stimulating phone conversations with him that could sometimes go on for quite a while and get well off track. He was always positive, firm in conviction, helpful, responsive and willing to bend the rules a bit in some cases to make things work out. I am grateful to have had the pleasure to know and work with him.
Arnoud Stryd
November 29, 2023
So sad to hear about Jim. I always enjoyed working with him. He was kind and easy to be around, curious and open minded, and had a wonderful sense of humour. Professionally I always found him fair and open to alternative ideas, and he would work with you to avoid obstacles and find solutions. He was a wonderful person and colleague.
Charla Downey
November 29, 2023
My sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones. Jim was a wonderful Project Officer and I am fortunate to have received his guidance and experienced his wonderful sense of humour along the way, so many years ago. He genuinely cared and you could tell.
Marianne Berkey
November 29, 2023
I am so sorry to hear this news. Jim was so generous with his knowledge, kindness and support for me as a relatively new archaeologist working in the field. Really a big loss to the community. My condolences to his other friends and to his family.
Cynthia Lake
November 29, 2023
Oh Jim, gone too soon. He was a fine colleague, full of kindness. Sending my deepest sympathies to Robin and family and friends.
Bonnie Campbell
November 29, 2023
My condolences to Jim's family and friends. I worked with Jim at the Archaeology Branch, and really appreciated his humor, thoughtful intellect and compassion.
Geordie Howe, Archaeologist, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
November 29, 2023
Sad news for sure. I had many wonderful times with Jim over the years and though we hadn´t seen each other since he retired, I look back on my interactions with Jim with great fondness whether at the Branch, or in the field, or just social settings.
Diana Cooper
November 29, 2023
Sad news.
My job at the Archaeology Branch started not too long after he retired, so while we never got to work together there, in the years prior to me joining the team, he was welcoming whenever I visited and always had time for a chat.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Jim was a great guy.
Andy and Nora Whyte
November 27, 2023
We have fond memories of Jim over many years and nice visits. Our condolences to Robin and the Pike family and to the McCauley family.
Beau and Susan
November 25, 2023
So sad to hear this. Jim was a very nice man, a good neigbour and an excellent Akela to our son. Our condolences to Robin, Andrew, Duncan and family.
Bob Powell
November 25, 2023
A good friend for over 50 years when Jane and I met Jim (and Robin) on an archaeological project at Libby Pondage. Jim had a great sense of humour and many times I think of what he would say in a given situation. "Number 37"
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