It is with a heavy heart and tremendous love that we announce that Richard “Rick” Dale Bower skated his last shift, in Victoria B.C on August 28, 2023.
Rick was born in Calgary, Alberta on July 20, 1951. He spent his childhood years growing up and playing sports in the Hillhurst area of Calgary before eventually attending the University of Calgary, in the Engineering Program. An enthusiastic athlete from the onset, Rick’s passion for sport and people led to a lifetime supporting his community, his friends and most importantly his family over the last 72 years.
In his professional life, Rick started his engineering journey at Richland Engineering before finding success as a founding Partner and Chief Engineer at Bower Damberger Rolseth Engineering Ltd. where they operated successfully within the Oil and Gas industry for over 20 years. In his most recent role, Rick was operating as a Principal and Owner at Allardyce Bower Consulting where he focused on maximizing the efficiency and recoveries from existing Oil and Gas facilities, whilst also being on the leading edge of the Carbon Capture initiative in efforts to minimize impact on the environment and push the industry toward innovation.
Though he excelled professionally, where Rick truly found greatness was in his role as Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and friend. The consummate teammate and family man, he always endeavoured to teach, mentor and encourage those he engaged with to find their potential and push beyond it. Rick’s impact was seen through his time coaching kids in minor sports, mentoring young engineers and providing his family and friends with the love, guidance and sense of compassion that made everyone he touched, feel supported.
He will be dearly missed by his wife Leda, his children Sean (Amy), Jessica (Magda), Ezra (Pia), Zereau (Breanna), Vefele (David), and Caitlyn (Paul). He is survived by his 5 grandchildren, Bodhi, Gideon, Ewan, Evan and Ian. He will also be dearly missed by his brother Len and his sisters Judy and Deb and their families and by his loveable dogs Chi-Banda “stupid dog” and Kashika.
A recording of the Celebration of Life for Rick can be viewed by clicking play on the image below.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
29 Responses
Just saw this obituary now. To his family my sincere condolences. I was a personal trainer at Panarama and he was my client and we worked out together for years. We had so much fun and we also became friends after our years of workouts together. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing. He worked so hard in the gym and I always admired his grit and determination despite having some health issues. I was just thinking about him wondering how he was doing.
Rest in peace Ricky. Jo
so sorry to hear about Rick Bower
I met Rick playing hockey with the Retreads at Panorama and golf at Ardmore. Rick was always full of fun and liked to challenge the boys. Rick and I supported the tennis at Panorama and he was very generous. A good friend passed too early and will be sadly missed.
Uncle Rick and Auntie Leda brought me into their home right after graduating highschool. It was my first experience growing into adulthood and for that I’m eternally grateful. The last morning I saw Rick in July, he had gone out to get my niece fruit and breakfast supplies, all because a four year old had asked. He said “that’s what Grandpas do”. That’s the gentle and kind energy he brought the world. Though he will be greatly missed, I find comfort in knowing he truly left the world a better place than he found it. Sending my love and condolences to his family and friends.
Rick Bower personified the term gentleman. Across more than 5 decades I counted him as my best friend, sportsman, and a peerless councilor. We are left impoverished by his surprising loss, but are left with a model of personhood to aspire towards. I cannot recall a single person who bore him ill will, or could not appreciate his love of life. He will be sorely missed, and my it is with heavy heart that I offer my condolences to his wife and children.
I met Rick when he began playing hockey some years ago with the Sidney Retreads. Along with a love for old timers hockey, we shared a common interest in the oil patch – he as an Engineer and myself as a long time investor in Canadian Oil and Gas companies. He was a great guy and a talented player – always stepping up to help organize the games. In recent years he made the extra effort to organize August hockey which enabled some of us keeners to start getting into shape for the fall session a bit early. His sense of humour and the camraderie he brought to the “room” will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of playing alongside him. My sincere condolences to Leda and the family.
Rick was instrumental in the development and mentorship to many. I worked for and with Rick during the early days in my professional career.
I respected him for his professionalism, his friendship and his never ending support.
Please accept my condolences. He was a great friend and an amazing man.
Dear Leda and family, my heart breaks for all of you.
Vanna
I will remember Rick as a multi-decade superstar in the oil and gas industry, a hall-of-famer in the realm of Process Engineering! His contribution was paramount to the success of a huge number of notable and successful companies over the years both directly from his own work and also from the large number of people whom he mentored and who carried on their careers with the competence and confidence he bestowed upon them.
Rick was a great friend, loved and respected for his kindness and character. He was such a positive influence.
It was shocking to hear of his passing. I wish Leda and the family comfort and happiness in their memories of a great human being.