Donald M. Gray

Donald M. Gray, Ph.D. October, 1929 January, 2005 _ It is with great sadness that we announce the death on Tuesday, January 4, 2005, of our husband, Dad and Grandpa, Don, who passed away quietly, following a brief illness, at the age of 75. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Beverly, his daughters Kathy (Peter Bue), Lynn and Sharon (Scott Thomas) and grandchildren, Adam, Kristin, Michael, Riley and Ryan. We will miss him. Muffin, Don's latest canine companion, will miss him too. He was predeceased by his parents, Hilda and Ernie. Don was born in Princeton, B.C. on October 27th,1929 where he completed his schooling and was very active in athletics, notably skiing and baseball. The love of sport, developed in his younger years, continued throughout his lifetime as a jogger (before it was popular) and through handball, racquetball and swimming. Don continued his education at the University of Guelph where he obtained his Master's degree and then completed his Doctorate in Agricultural Engineering in Ames, Iowa. During his time in Iowa, Don met and married Beverly Knudson. They moved to Saskatoon in 1960 when he accepted a position at the University of Saskatchewan. There was little formalized hydrology study in Canada until he provided "Familiarization Seminars on the Principles in Hydrology" in 1967. Notes for this course eventually led to the publication of the Handbook on the Principles of Hydrology (1970) and his subsequent book, Handbook of Snow: Principles, Processes, Management and Use (1981, 2004) which is recognized globally as the key technical book on snow and, in either the original issue or translation, is the core textbook for snow hydrology and engineering courses at universities around the world. Don had a distinguished career as a Professor of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering, the Chairman of the Division of Hydrology and as Assistant Dean of Research and Extension, College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. He was a dedicated advisor for over 58 graduate students, from around the world and his contributions continued beyond his retirement as an Emeritus Professor. He was considered to be one of the world's leading scientists in the fields of snow hydrology and prairie hydrology. Don was instrumental in the establishment of the National Hydrology Research Center in Saskatoon in the 1980's and was the chair of a committee of Deans who recommended that the University form a Research Corporation. Innovation Place is now one of the most advanced and successful research parks in North America. In recognition of his many accomplishments, he was awarded the J. Tuzo Wilson Award in 2000 by the Canadian Geophysical Union. To his family Don will be remembered as a man who valued the importance of higher education, loyalty, hard work, integrity and humility. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the expert care provided to Don in Emergency at RUH on Christmas Day. A very special thank-you to all of the staff in ICU at RUH for the professionalism, compassion, kindness and exceptional care provided to Don and his family-it will never be forgotten. To commemorate his life Don will be remembered at a memorial service to be held on Thursday, January 13th, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home (east on 8th Street and turn right just before the railway tracks. Hillcrest can be contacted at 477-4400). Flowers are gratefully declined. To continue to support education in the field Don loved, those wishing to do so may make donations to the "Donald M.Gray Scholarship Fund" c/o P.O. Box 32014, Erindale Postal Outlet, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,