(Rick) Albert Norton Richards Senkler, only child of Albert Edmund and Jesse (Betty) Senkler (Rankin) died suddenly on March 9, 2016 after a short illness. He was predeceased by his parents and by his wife Mary (Nation) Senkler, mother of his children.
He is survived by his two children Heather Katherine Senkler and Philip Albert Senkler, his cousin Jaime Fennell for whom he was a father figure and by his wife Joanna Drewry Senkler.
Born in Victoria, Rick attended Malvern House School, Oak Bay Junior and Senior High Schools and the University of Victoria. He served his articles to become a chartered accountant with Thorne Riddell (KPMG).
During his career, he worked for BC Transit, BC Ferries, Glendale Lodge Society, the District of Sooke, the Greater Victoria Water District, and the Corps of Commissionaires. From 2005 until his retirement in 2014, he was employed with VIH Aviation Group as Vice-president, Finance.
Rick loved to be of service in his community and to that end he served on the board of the Victoria Seniors Housing Society for 11 years, facilitating the construction of several major buildings. He was a long-time dedicated member of the Vancouver Island Model Engineers (VIME), and was well-known for the railroad that he built on his two acre property on Quayle Road.
He was a 25 year member of the Gyro Club of Victoria and was active on the executive of that organization for many years, serving as President from 2002 to 2003.
He was recently elected President of the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society (SHAS) Foundation. During the past year, he was instrumental in providing a strategic planning framework for that group for which he had served as Treasurer for several years. He served on the fundraising and finance committees of the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) and was a member of the Board of the HCP for the past two years. He served as Chair of the Board of Variance for the District of North Saanich for the past three years, serving on that committee since 2008.
Rick was passionate about trains and he travelled throughout North America to enjoy a variety of train experiences from the Yukon to California to New York. He and his son had five engines which they enjoyed running both for VIME special events and for birthday parties. His daughter joined him in working to enhance the visitor’s experience at Saanich Historical Artifacts (Heritage Acres).
Rick and his wife Joanna travelled extensively during the past 9 years, enjoying trips to Palm Springs, Ottawa, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, Greece, Turkey and England. In 2015, they travelled to Horningtoft, Norfolk, England to discover the Senkler family records dating back to the 18th century.
Rick was a consummate host who loved to entertain and the garden he and Joanna created was the site of many memorable parties including their wedding. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of BC and Victoria history and loved to regale his friends with tales of the past. He loved to cook, to entertain and to provide a home where all were welcome.
Rick’s extended family include Margaret Lynn Senkler of Vancouver, her children Susan (Bill) and David (Gail) and their children; David and Nancy Hodgson and their children and spouses; his brother-in-law Robert Nation and his wife Helen as well as the Nation family cousins Michael (Joy), Thea, Peter (Diane), Sarah (Leslie) and their children.
A great-grandson of Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia Albert Norton Richards (1876 – 1881) and grandson of prominent Vancouver lawyer John Harold Senkler, Rick was proud of the role his family had played in B.C.’s history. Throughout his life, he exemplified a tireless commitment to service to his community, to his wide circle of friends and to his family. His was a life well lived, ended far too soon.
Thanks to all the staff at the Cardiovascular Unit and the Intensive Care Unit of Jubilee Hospital for their care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saanich Historical Artifacts Foundation, the Vancouver Island Model Engineers or the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific.
A celebration of Rick’s life will be held at Mary Winspear Centre, Bodine Hall on Saturday, March 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
22 Responses
Dear Joanna,
We were shocked and saddened to learn of Rick’s recent death. Our warmest thoughts go out to you as we remember him. He was full of enthusiasm, ideas and joie de vivre at our grad committee meetings, always ready to pitch in and help. And together you were such fantastic hosts. I am so glad you eventually found each other and were able to share some very happy years together. Sandy joins me in sending our sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy.
Glenda
I wish to send condolences on the untimely death of Rick Senkler. He was a close friend of mine and my wife Catherine. We both shared a love of large passenger carrying model trains, especially steam locomotives. He was helpful in starting the Vancouver Is. Model Engineers while I was President of the BC Society of Model Engineers in Burnaby BC. I was privileged to be one of the first to un my steam locomotive around his new track at Quayle Rd. He was a member of BCSME when he lived at Lions Bay and participated in expanding our club. Rick was always a popular and positive influence in the hobby. We expect him to be enjoying life in the Roundhouse in the Sky. Please pass on our sentiments to Philip and Heather and Joanna.
Lindsay McDonnell