Glen Atkinson passed away suddenly at home on December 28, 2014, leaving behind his wife of 54 years, Patricia; his sons, Michael (Marlys) and Peter (Lorinda); daughter, Maureen (Mike); granddaughter, Shanae; grandsons, Kieran, Graham, and Finn and his brother, Brian and sister, Susan.
What a full life Glen led! He was a native Victorian, living here nearly his entire life. He earned his BSC at UBC, where he met Patricia, and was soon teaching biology at Oak Bay High School in a career full of high points. He coached Reach for the Top, including the 1968 team that won the Canadian championship, and also coached successful girls’ basketball teams. He became a Mr. Chips of Oak Bay and was greatly loved by the over 7,000 students he taught or had in his home room during his 36 years at the school. He never failed to notice a new haircut and greeted students he encountered in the halls. He excelled in the classroom, inspiring many students to pursue careers related to biology, and was considered by many students to be their favourite teacher.
Glen brought the family of five to Northern Queensland, Australia in 1974, where both he and Pat taught for two years. Aussie friends have visited them in Victoria every year since. A three month backpacking trip home through Southeast Asia (with the kids) kicked off a lifetime of adventure travel for Glen and Pat. Together, the two visited far-flung places such as Zanzibar and Papua New Guinea, spending time in tropical rain forests (where they could add to their bird count) and connecting with fellow travellers and local inhabitants wherever they went.
Glen was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice and was a singer throughout his life. He won trophies at the Victoria Performing Arts Festival as a boy, sang solos at UBC, performed in musicals and sang solos at Oak Bay High School. He was a member of the Arion Male Voice Choir and enjoyed his practices and performances with the Grandview Quartet/Trio over the last 10 years.
Glen retired from teaching in 1996 and spent the next eight years mentoring student teachers through the UVic Education program. On retirement he also began a life full of new activities. He became a master wood turner, a member of a wood turner’s guild, and a wood turning teacher at the Juan de Fuca seniors centre. Interested in photography throughout his life, he became more keen in retirement, learning techniques with the camera and also with Photoshop.
Glen loved to keep up with his many lifelong friends. He and his wife Pat hosted many memorable parties over the years, including their annual musical Christmas Eve party for family and friends. Glen had a great capacity for love and adored his wife, children and grandchildren. Glen lived life truly and deeply and will be greatly missed by his family and the many other people whose lives he enriched.
There will be a celebration of Glen’s life at Centennial United Church, 612 David St, Victoria, BC on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
65 Responses
As with Kris Lewis, I met Glen and Pat through their daughter, our friend, Maureen. I was truly inspired by Glen’s bowl-turning artwork. I will forever treasure the bowl that Glen, Maureen, and myself turned together in his shop. The spirit of life he embraced is one we should all aim for. My heart goes out to all his family and friends. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to spend more time hearing the stories he had to tell…
I am so sorry to hear of Glen’s sudden passing. He was a wonderful and fun-loving man with a genuine love and caring in his heart for all people. My former wife Frankie and I had the pleasure of attending many parties with Glen, Pat and their friends and Glen and Frankie did many singing engagements together. My condolences to Pat and family.
Ken
My sincere sympathy to Pat and family. I have very fond memories of Glen while I was a teacher at Oak Bay.
Charlotte lane
It was with great sorrow that I read of Glen’s passing.
Although I had only known Glen for a few months, I feel blessed to have met & “played” with him in the shop at the Juan de Fuca center. His love & knowledge of wood turning was very apparent as he used his teaching experience & shared his skills. Glen will be greatly missed!
Patricia and Family;
Mr. and Mrs. John Reid, former teacher at OBHS now living in Yorkshire, England, have asked me to relay their condolence and expression of sympathy on Glen’s death.
John remembers Glen well as one of Oak Bay’s favourite and most revered teachers.
Ken Adsett
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My friends and I had such a great time in Biology class at Oak Bay High (68-70). Mr. Atkinson was a wonderful teacher, and his sharpness and sense of humour stimulated many of us to pursue careers in science. For myself it was in pharmaceutical science – the love of learning amazing things about life sciences was really fanned by being in an always-stimulating class with Mr. Atkinson. Here’s to a great life lived!
Connie (Scobie) Harris
I can think of no higher tribute to a teacher than his students of 40 years prior, remembering him for his teaching, his inspiration, his caring, and his talents. Mr. A made science fun and interesting. Truly he influenced me to pursue a BSc at UVIC. I can count on one hand the teachers that had a meaningful impact on my life. Glen Atkinson is at the top of that list.
My condolences to the family. He will be missed, fondly remembered, and never forgotten.
Clayton Shold, Oakville (Class of 73)
I hope you take some comfort in knowing that Mr Atkinson was one of the most loved teachers at Oak Bay high school. His ability to connect with students through his humour, knowledge, and kindness was exceptional. He is a legend. My husband is a high school biology teacher, and though they never met, my stories of Mr Atkinson influence how he teaches his students! He even plays Neil Diamond during labs – the kids LOVE it!
Grad 95
Taryn Larsen
Living here in Newfoundland, the news from Victoria doesn’t always come quickly. Catherine and I were, therefore, shocked when we returned home early on New Year’s day to hear the sad news of Glen’s death.
Glen was my teacher at Oak Bay and I am also one of the members of his 1968 championship Reach For The Top team. We were a fine bunch of bright, quirky, cocky, and self-conscious lads who, through Glen’s guidance were fortunate to find 15 minutes of fame. We were good, but we became winners because of the direction that Glen gave us. The team wasn’t picked out of a crowd. We had to qualify in a week of playoffs with lots of other bright kids in the school. Then, throughout the season, we met at the Atkinson’s house every Tuesday to take on the two teams on the show that night. We used our buzzer board to improve our reaction times and had to beat the on air competitors by pushing our buttons and then getting the right answer. We were regular winners in the family room against a black and white TV and became weekly entertainment for the Atkinson children. I was very nervous as I never felt that I was quite up to being on the team. With practice and encouragement from Glen, I found a way to step up and actually made the difference in a couple of important games. It was a heady time and the national championship in Vancouver was incredible.
During the national championship, the staff at CBC Vancouver and all of the good BC teams we had beaten were behind us. Nobody expected us to win and there were some interesting moments when post-tournament plans hadn’t included the winners. At this point, we had a lot of local support behind us and Glen helped us to be minor celebrities. The climax was our trip to southeast Asia in February 1969. There is nothing like a road trip to build a team. We all have memories of new experiences and the enjoyment of each others’ company. Throughout our travels in Canada and overseas, Glen treated us like adults and gave us the right amount of slack to experience a larger world. I also think that this trip was the beginning of Glen’s plans to teach in tropical Australia.
Since high school, I have tried to keep in touch, at least occasionally. I remember Catherine and I visiting him to tell him of our engagement. That was forty years ago now and I remember his pleasure that two of his students had found each other.
In May 2011, the year that most of the 1968 team turned 60, we had a RFTT reunion in Victoria. I came from Newfoundland and Robert McDougall came from Bangladesh for the occasion. It was a delightful evening and we all felt that we were still some sort of a team. Talking to Pat today, she told me how much she and Glen appreciated the opportunity to meet together again. Sadly, it will be the last time…
So much for history. Glen was the kind of teacher that one can only expect to meet once or twice in a lifetime. He helped me to understand what I am capable of and to have the courage to pursue my dreams. As a result, my life has been successful and very satisfying. I have done things, been places, and met people that will be memories to treasure forever. More than anything, Glen and Pat have shown the world what love and family are all about. I hope I can live by his example.
I know that I will be only one of many people to enter comments here. For my part, I am proud to tell his family and the world what a fine man we have lost.
Good bye Glen and thank you.
Jim Dempsey, Flatrock, Newfoundland, January 3, 2015
Glen and Pat welcomed me into their home when Maureen and I went to the island for weaving workshops. I remember his joy for life whether it was challenging everyone to play boccia in the yard, creating wonderful works of wooden art, or just conversing around the table. I enjoyed his stories about their travels, their adventures, and the crazy dog. Glen had a generosity of spirit that he shared so easily. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to know him.