SPROUT; Peter Norman
July 21, 1927 - December 15, 2015
Norman was the son of a Vimy Ridge war veteran, Peter Norman Sprout and an English war bride, Ada Jane Brown. He is survived by Eleanor his wife for 65 years, son Brian (Virginia Stanton), daughter Sharon (Dave Woodske), grandchildren Jennifer, Nelson, Sarah (Josh) and Brett, and his brother Donald (Heather), also several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by daughter Janet, brother Ronald, sisters Eileen Beech and Margaret Stafford and his parents. He was born in the Comox hospital and raised on a small dairy farm just north of Courtenay. He graduated from the UBC Faculty of Agriculture specializing in Soil Science in 1949. In 1950 he commenced employment with the B.C. Soils Branch in Kelowna, BC. He was involved with identifying and mapping soils throughout BC. The purpose of his early survey work was for the International Joint Commission Investigation which led to the 1964 Columbia River Treaty. Norman became Director of the Soils Branch, authored, co-authored, and edited numerous papers and a book about soil landscapes of British Columbia. This information was used to identify the 1973 Agriculture Land Reserves (ALR). Norman retired from the Ministry of the Environment in 1985. He enjoyed playing crib, first with his mother on the farm and after retiring with fellow retirees from the Department of Agriculture. He took great pleasure in his garden and woodworking. His children will always cherish their handmade Adirondack chairs. He had the most amazing memory for BC climate. He could easily recall dates and local climate temperatures going back to early days on the farm. He had a great smile and wonderful laugh. He always encouraged, and was proud of all his children and grandchildren. They loved him and will miss him. In the past 25 years Norman had the misfortune to battle four cancers. He beat three. The last (liver cancer) was diagnosed in June 2015. Perceptive to the end, he lived reading comfortably at home until his final week. The family wish to thank his doctor Mark Mackenzie and the staff and volunteers of the Chilliwack Hospice for their support and compassionate care. No service by request. His ashes will be interred in the Mission Hill cemetery in Courtenay.
"If there is another world he lives in bliss. If there is none, he made the best of this."
Robert Burns