Rick is survived by his loving wife Joan Kathleen, son Adam, daughter Darlana (Gregory Bartle), two granddaughters Lucy and Tessa, mother Maxine, and sister Linda McKenzie (Gordon). Predeceased by father Ed Withers.
Rick was raised in West Vancouver. He excelled in sports and math at Hillside Secondary School, and earned his BA and BEd in Math and Computer Science at UBC, before earning the honour of being the first student enrolled in Computer Science Masters Program at UBC in 1977.
His first teaching position in 1978 was in MRSS where he proved to be innovative and where he met Joan. By 1980, he was selected to be District Principal in Charge of Computer Technology before moving on to Victoria and ETC, and The Ministry of Education. He continued to be a respected leader in computer technology in BC until he retired from ERAC, September 2011.
Rick accepted the Alzheimers Diagnosis in late 2012 knowing the family would always support him. He fought the illness with grace and calm.
In recognition of his passion for baseball and coaching kids, his family and friends had two softball dugouts built in Rick’s honour for Lakehill Little League, located at Ambassador Park, Saanich, BC.
There will be a gathering of friends, family, former colleagues, sports fans, pickle-ballers, golfers, tennis and squash players in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, at 10:00 am on Monday, August 14, 2017, with Jim Lauder officiating.
“Children are welcome.”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Mary Anne Bell
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Lance Sparling Dear Joan and Family,
I have so many wonderful and fun memories of going to high school with Rick, playing Baseball forever with Rick and his Dad ( the beer drinking afterwords) and the car rides to UBC as John D mentioned were enlightening ( such smart guys to be hanging out with) . My condolences from our family to your family.
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Lynn (Fuller) Harrison Dear Joan and Family, I am old friend of Rick’s. We met when I was in high school. I watched him play many a baseball game and admired his passion for the game. I always marveled at his ability to calculate the sum of a restaurant bill in seconds — and he was always right, to the penny. I was so sad to hear of his passing. Such a wonderful person. He will be much missed.
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John Durrant So sorry for your loss Joan. Fond memories with Rick in the UBC car pool with Lance S. Paul C., Robin B and myself. Always good conversation and wise beyond his years. In third year,with 10 days off between exams he offered me a ride to California and back in his Green TR6. Of course never needing to study Rick was able to come back and ace his last exam, me not so much! What a pair we were, me with shoulder length hair Rick with his huge red afro blowing in the breeze. Rest in Peace Rick
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Pat & Dave Tierney Dear Joan& Family,
My thoughts & prayers will be with you,
Dave & I enjoyed Rick with the events at
Sorority. Hugs
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Teresa McClintick When we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. May you take comfort in knowing that you have an angel to watch over you now. My sincerest condolences to you all. Rick was a wonderful boss and colleague. I enjoyed hearing his stories about: ‘how the game went’, ‘what the kids were up to the night before’ and my favourites were of ‘the invisible dog fence’. He always brought smiles and laughter into the office.
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Janine Hannis My deepest condolences to the Withers Family. I worked with Rick over many years and I will never forget his brilliance and his wonderful personality. He made a huge contribution to the education sector in BC. Rest in Peace, Rick.
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Keith Champion Sad news. I played a lot of baseball with Rick. He will be missed by all!
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Carole Poy Dear Joan and Family,
I am deeply sorry to hear of the passing of Rick and know what a great sadness that must be to you and each family member.
I will always remember him as one who loved dearly his family and friends and was very valued in his work at ETC. Rick had a deep interest in supporting the growth of computers in education at a time when many people could not see the vision.
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Rolands Muiznieks My deepest condolences go out to each family member for the loss of such a well loved and honoured family man.
May your loving memories of him last forever.
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Rick & Lynn Lineham To Joan and family we send our deepest sympathy..
How appropriate, using the computer instead of being encomburded with a lot of cards.
Dear Joan, Darlana, Adam and family,
Our thoughts and love surround you at this sad time.
Rick was truly a wonderful husband and father.
We have known each other for so many years, and I remember fondly standing with you as you married your beloved Rick.
Remember that your treasured memories will live on forever!
with our deepest sympathy,
Mary Anne and Peter