DR. ANDREW ROYDEN THOMPSON LL.B, LL.M, J.S.D.

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DR. ANDREW ROYDEN THOMPSON LL.B, LL.M, J.S.D. Born March 23, 1925; died peacefully on February 13, 2000. Andy was predeceased by his son Paul, and is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Agnes; his children, Pace, David and Margaret; and five grandsons. In 1950 Andy began a 41 year teaching career at the University of Alberta Law School where he became a specialist in petroleum and natural gas law. In 1969 he accepted an appointment as professor of law at the University of British Columbia where he became a specialist in environmental law and aboriginal law. After retirement, Andy served as a guest lecturer in natural resources law and supervised graduate students at both Simon Fraser University, as an adjunct professor, and the University of British Columbia, as an emeritus professor. On leave from the University in 1973, he served as chair of the British Columbia Energy Commission for four years and later as sole commissioner of the federal West Coast Oil Ports Inquiry. On his return to university duties in 1978, he was appointed director of the Westwater Research Centre, a position he held until 1985. Andy was the general editor of Butterworths Ontario Digest, and co-author of the first edition of Lewis and Thompson, Canadian Oil and Gas. He has also published extensively on natural resource and environmental subjects in law journals and periodicals. Andy was a founding member of the Canadian Petroleum Law Foundation; a member of the International Council on Environmental Law; an honorary director of the West Coast Environmental Law Association; a past director of the Sierra Legal Defence Fund; a member and past chair of the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee; and past president of the Arctic International Wildlife Range Association. In 1988/89 he chaired the Special Committee of the Canadian Bar Association on Aboriginal Rights in Canada. In 1990 he received Environment Canadas Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to the Environment. Andy loved working with First Nations people and young lawyers who shared his enthusiasm for environmental and aboriginal law. Andy also loved the wilderness and built two wilderness retreats, one near Jasper and one near Princeton, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Andy felt that his greatest accomplishment was imbuing in his children and grandchildren his passion for the outdoors, his sense of adventure and the importance of being self-reliant. The family would like to thank Dr. Ashe, Dr. Hill and Dr. Yeomans and all the wonderful people at the Cardiac Surgery and Palliative Care Units of Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations to TLC - The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, are gratefully acknowledged. A celebration of Andys life will be held at the Ballroom of the Robson Square Conference Centre, 800 Robson St., Vancouver, on Saturday, February 19 at 3:00 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 17, 2000