Tribute

Mervyn Frederick Schmidt

Merv Schmidt died on November 23 after a short, fierce fight with cancer.

Born August 1, 1945 in Regina SK to Frank and Evelyn (Fox) Schmidt, Merv was raised in Edmonton with his siblings, Douglas, Collins and Audrey.

Merv career was as a Power Engineer. He worked for Edmonton Power for 32 years as Control Room Operator and Shift Engineer.  He was a strong union man and served many years as president of Chemical Energy and Paperworkers Union Local #829.  He loved contract negotiations and had a reputation as a tough and fair-minded negotiator.  He was a long time Trustee of the Edmonton Civic Employees’ Charitable Assistance Fund.

Merv discovered the Kootenays when his truck broke down on Hwy 3 in 1981. This happy accident led him to return again and again for holidays until moving permanently to Nelson after retirement in 2001.  Merv loved Kootenay Lake and was happiest trolling for rainbows at dawn on a summer morning with eagles and ospreys for company.  Merv had many interests:  He was an avid golfer, a skilled woodworker building beautiful furniture, carving and turning wood and tying elaborate salmon fly patterns.

Merv is survived by his wife of 20 years, Ellen, his sister Audrey and brother Collins and many Schmidt and Fox cousins and his ‘fur girl’ Heidi.

Special thanks and appreciation to the Doctors and staff at the BC Cancer Centre Kelowna and to Dr Tuvel and Dr Kirsten and emergency room staff at Kootenay Lake Hospital for their care and attention.

At Merv’s request there will be no service.

For those wishing to make a memorial his favourite charities were the BCSPCA, Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation and the BC Cancer Foundation.