april 2009 issue

Obituaries
Robert James Kavanagh, P.Eng.
APEGGA Life Member

Robert (Bob) Kavanagh, P.Eng., a past-president of the Consulting Engineers of Alberta and a retired vice-president of Stantec, died March 6 while vacationing in Hawaii. The Edmonton resident was 65.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Mr. Kavanagh earned a B.Sc. in civil engineering from the University of Manitoba and a M.Sc. in civil engineering from the University of Alberta.

Though his family always came first, Mr. Kavanagh was a strong believer in giving back to the community. He was actively involved with many volunteer organizations in both Winnipeg and Alberta. In Edmonton, he was a member and past-president of the Mayfield Rotary Club.

An active member of APEGGA since joining in 1980, he held positions on the Edmonton Liaison Committee, the Edmonton District Meetings Committee, and the Nominating Committee. He received the 2007 Edmonton Branch Voluntary Service Award.

Mr. Kavanagh was president of the Consulting Engineers of Alberta in 1992-93. He served on a task force of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers as the Canadian representative of design/build construction.

Mr. Kavanagh retired as a vice-president with Stantec in 2001.

An avid woodworker, Mr. Kavanagh designed and built a large addition to the family cabin at Long Pine Lake in Ontario, providing room for all his grandchildren. The family time at the cottage was very important to him and he always enjoyed sitting with his grandchildren at sunrise while sharing hot chocolate.

Mr. Kavanagh is survived by his wife, Marg, two daughters, a son and five grandchildren. Make donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Lung Research; the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, Neo Natal ICU; or a charity of your choice.