Edo Nyland

NYLAND, Edo December 19, 1941 - July 28, 2009 Scientist, community activist, and loving husband and father, Edo Nyland passed away at Kelowna General Hospital on July 28. He approached his battle with colon cancer with tremendous bravery and a fascination for the discoveries his struggle taught him about medical science, maintaining his enthusiasm for life throughout this difficult time. Born in Haarlem, the Netherlands during WWII, Edo's parents were Herman and Maria (Miek) Nyland. Having survived the Nazi occupation, the family emigrated to Canada in 1951. Edo excelled in school and entered the honours physics program at Dalhousie University with significant scholarship support at sixteen years of age. He met his wife Sarah Stanfield several years later when Sarah was employed at the Cornwall Public Library by Anne Nyland, Herman's second wife. Edo was completing his doctoral studies at UCLA at the time and the two were married July 26, 1968. Edo graduated with a PhD in Earth and Space Physics from UCLA soon after. While Edo and Sarah technically "settled" in Edmonton, the coming years held a great deal of adventure. Following the birth of their son, Ben in 1970, the trio journeyed to the Soviet Union for nine months as part of Edo's research work in earthquake prediction. Births of Amy and Eric, and further adventures in the U.S., Central and South America, Asia, India and Europe followed. A man in love with life and travel, he took early retirement from his long held post as professor of physics at the U. of A. Edo became a major figure in the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, continued to enjoy travel, opera, good food and drink, visits with his three adored granddaughters, and of course long walks with the faithful and admiring hound Sadie. Dearly missed and lovingly remembered for the gifts and assistance provided to his family, friends, colleagues and students circling the globe, Edo is survived by Anne Nyland; sisters Manja and Barbara; children Ben (daughter-in-law Jennifer), Amy and Eric; grandchildren Brianna, Kasia and Zoe; and his beloved wife Sarah. Requiescat in Pace