Ian was born in Vancouver, B.C. on November 6, 1930, the only child of Helen and Herbert Mason (H.M.) Drost. He attended Prince of Wales Elementary School in Vancouver, and later, Brentwood College School on Vancouver Island. In 1954, Ian graduated from UBC with a law degree and joined his father in the family law firm of Drost, Drost, Coultas, and Standfield, which eventually became Drost, Affleck, and Knott.
In 1985, Ian was appointed as a judge, first to the County Court of New Westminster, then to the County Court of Vancouver, in 1987, and finally to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, in 1990, where he served until his 75th birthday in 2005. Ian lived and worked mostly in Vancouver, but moved to Salt Spring Island with his wife Catherine in 2003, and then, last year, to Victoria.
As a young man, Ian was actively involved in politics at the provincial and federal level. He loved British Columbia and often remarked how fortunate he was to be able to travel to so many towns and places in the province, both as a circuit court judge and as a political campaign strategist during some of the federal and provincial elections in the late 50s and early 60s.
A life-long sailor, he was a sea cadet in high school and was later commissioned as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. He enjoyed cruising and racing in the Pacific Northwest with his family and many friends. Family was always Ian’s primary focus, and he managed to balance family life with heavy work demands and responsibilities. Ian’s friendliness, wisdom, consideration, compassion, and a good sense of humour were always in evidence and highly appreciated by his family, friends, colleagues, and many associates.
Ian passed away peacefully on January 27, 2018. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Catherine, their three children, John (Rose), Anne (Jacques), and Helen (Simon), and their three grandchildren, Emma, Audrey, and Flora.
Ian’s family would like to extend a warm thank you to the entire homecare team and staff at his retirement home, who provided so much care and support.
There will be a private Funeral, and at a later date, a public Memorial Service will be held for Ian Louden Drost. For more information on the date and location of the Memorial Service, or any other inquiries, or to offer condolences or share photos and memories of Ian, please contact McCall Gardens at 250-385-4465, or visit our website below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Michael
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Dawn Beattie I am so very sorry to hear of Ian’s passing.
I feel very lucky to have spent time with him.
He was a lovely gentleman.I enjoyed the stories he shared with me of his life and his love of his family.
My condolences to Catherine, Anne, Helen, John and his beloved grandaughters.Dawn Beattie
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Mary Skipp Lee liked Ian and enjoyed his company and I thought he was a very nice man. My deepest sympathy to all your family. Sincerely, Mary Skipp
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Ian Gordon Pyper To Catherine and Family. I had the great pleasure of working with Ian to build, and in fact, re-build the Progressive Conservative Party in BC back in the 1954 to 1968 period. He succeeded me as President of the Young Progressive Conservatives in 1957. He was a solid and highly competent man who helped immensely in the rebuilding process. I left BC to work overseas in 1970, returning in 2005. I very much regret that I did not see you and Ian again since my return and had no idea that you had moved to Salt Spring Island or had any connection to Victoria.
May I offer my deepest sympathies to you and yours for your loss.
Ian Pyper.
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Stephany Brown Catherine so sorry to hear about Ian’s passing. We spent many summers together sailing on your boat and our children grew up together and have wonderful memories. Ian will be missed and my thoughts are with you and Anne, Helen and John. Catherine I hope to see you at the end of February as I will be in Victoria.
Stephany Brown
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Warren Dollery I had the great pleasure of working with justice Ian Drost in the capacity of Senior Court sheriff Badge number 33 in the New Westminster Supreme & County/courts a number of times in his courts he presided over. Judge Ian Drost was a fair man in his decisions and most likable by all court staff staff that had the opportunity to work with him.
Retired senior member of the New Westminster Sheriffs Department
Warren Dollery
Dear Catherine, John, Anne, & Helen.
I am saddened to run across this posting, Ian always so gentle and kind
No doubt with the years gone by you still miss him. He was a true gentleman, took an interest in one’s affairs, calm, methodical with a glint in his eye. What a marvelous husband you had Catherine, and what a marvelous father (mother also!) you had John, Anne, & Helen. So very fortunate Ian touched our lives as he did!
Catherine I hope you’re faring well.
I was just poking around to look up on you, it’s been an age since we connected, and I tripped over this! Last I stayed over with you and Ian on Saltspring, challenges whack-a-moling yourway with Ian’s eyesight and ever more frequent medical excursions of island. It’s been awhile. And then some.
Hoping to catch up with you one day,
Love Michael Muller
Same Olde address in the city with one gorgeous floral piece gathering dust no doubt.
P.S. Our Renate has published a book. I had dinner with her in Castlegar whilst skiing Red. She’s going to outlast us all I’m sure. She’s also still gunning it down Red Mtn @ the sturdy age of 90.