Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Paul West Obituary
1940 - 2023
Dr. Paul R. West, PhD FCIC P.Chem, passed away on March 14, 2023, in Victoria, B.C. leaving behind his beloved wife of nearly 61 years, Louise; his children Barbara, Carrie, Robert (Tanya), Allison (James) and Laura (Michael); and his grandchildren Taylor, Brittany, Paige, Jacob, Maggie & Frances. Predeceased by older brother Barry, survived by younger brother Steve (Marie); sisters-in-law Jane West and Wendy Luxon, and many nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed.
Paul was born in London, Ontario, to Margaret and Percy West. While completing his Hons. BSc and PhD in Chemistry at McMaster University, he met Louise Mullin at a dance and they later married at McMaster Chapel.
In 1968, Paul joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Victoria. He became the longest-serving Director of the Environmental Studies Program and later the School of Environmental Studies at UVic from 1987 to 2002 during which time he helped build and develop the School teaching sustainability and environmental protection to a generation of students.
He also served on the British Columbia Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (1990-1994); the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (1993-1995); the Work Force Committee of Forest Renewal BC (1994-1999); ECO Canada; and the ISO 14000 Implementation Committee of the Standards Council of Canada (1995-1998).
Paul was instrumental in the creation of the Science Advisory Board for Contaminated Sites in British Columbia and served as its President for many years, providing scientific guidance for B.C. standards and risk assessment in soil, vapour and groundwater contaminants in order to protect human health and ecosystems. He also served as Chair and President of the Association of the Chemical Profession of British Columbia and Chair of the Federation of Canada's Professional Chemists. In the former role, he was instrumental in bringing the P.Chem professional designation into being in BC.
He was active in Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island's community affairs, particularly those related to the environment. In 2013, he was awarded the Long-Term Environmental Achievement Award by the Saanich Environmental and Natural Areas Committee.
Paul was a rugby player in his younger years both in Canada and the UK and was a proud former member of the Hamilton Hornets, attending their 100th anniversary in recent years. He was nicknamed "Technicolour Man" for all his bruises.
Paul's family will always remember his wit and wisdom, his personal integrity and the ongoing love and support that he gave them. Louise and the children and grandchildren will continue to enjoy Paul's amazing vinyl record collection and will always be grateful to him for being the best of husbands, fathers and grandfathers.
Many thanks to the extraordinary medical care, professionalism and kindness of the team of doctors, nurses and staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
A service was held for immediate family members. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to an environmental initiative.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul West
5 Entries
Gary Hoffman
July 13, 2025
Paul´s name came up today in a conversation with another graduate of the `62 Class in Honours Chemistry at Mac. Am sorry to hear of his passing.
Gary Noseworthy
October 17, 2024
I am sorry that Paul had left us. My fondest memories (am I a masochist? ) were the run outs around McMaster behind him and Ray Rothenbury. "Fitness and heart beats size and speed" was their motto. Sharing a table with him at the 60th brought back a dozens of memories of "the science guys" and our after game drink-ups at the ranch. We have lost a good man.
John O'Gorman
October 16, 2024
So sorry to hear this news, albeit 1.5 years after. I played with Paul when he was with the Hamilton Hornets. He was a fierce competitor and a definite asset to the team as well as a being a fun character. Despite his vision disability he made the difficult trip to Hamilton in 2014 to attend the Hornets Anniversary celebrations, at which he was only one of two from the Hornets 1962 Cup winning team to attend. My sympathies to Louise and the family. John O'Gorman
Wade Luxon
April 9, 2023
UNCLE PAUL SUCH A GENTLE MEASURED VOICE; EVERY CHAT I REMEMBER WAS WARM. BOTH MY FAMILIES WERE EDUCATED AT MCMASTER PAUL WEST A GREAT
ALUMNIST. FROM WENDY MULLIN WADE LUXON AMANDA LUXON AND ANDREA LUXON WE WILL MISS YOU. AUNT LOUISE & FAMILY OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES.
Sandy Briggs
April 9, 2023
Paul West was my PhD research supervisor from 1977 to 1982 at UVic, and he was the right person for that job, not least because he accepted with patience my predilection for dashing off to climb a mountain at every opportunity. Through him I also became involved as a Venturer Advisor in the Scouting Movement in Gordon Head. We became friends and colleagues, and from 2007 were together on the Board of the then new Association of the Chemical Profession of BC (ACPBC). Paul's contributions to the profession of Chemistry have been extensive and impressive, and continued long after his formal retirement from UVic. I'll miss his broad and deep knowledge, his witticisms and his a propos literary allusions. I offer my condolences to Louise and all the extended family.
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results