DECember 2009 issue
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OBITUARIES
Dr. Eric Lars Tollefson, P.Eng.
APEGGA Life Member
A former Board of Examiners member who loved ice cream, composing and playing music, writing and painting has died. Dr. Eric Tollefson, P.Eng., passed away in Calgary on Sept. 20. He was 87.
Dr. Tollefson was born in Moose Jaw and raised on the family farm near Mossbank, Sask. He earned a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts in chemistry, both from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Tollefson worked for the National Research Council in Ottawa. Then in 1951, he moved to Tulsa, Okla., to work for Standard Oil of Indiana. Returning to Canada in 1956, he accepted a position with Chemcell Ltd. in Edmonton.
During this time he also enjoyed teaching occasional courses at Camrose Lutheran College (now Augustana University College) in Camrose. Dr. Tollefson then joined the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department of the University of Calgary, in 1967, ultimately becoming head of the department.
During the 1970s and ’80s, Dr. Tollefson served on the Board of Examiners with APEGGA. He also received numerous awards, among them the R.S. Jane Memorial Award for Exceptional Achievement from the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering. He served as the first chairperson of the University of Calgary, Peace and Conflict Resolution Study Group, and on the executive of the Canadian Pugwash Group.
Dr. Tollefson is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean, three daughters and four grandchildren. A celebration of his life was held Sept. 30 in Calgary. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to Parkdale United Church Foundation, Project Ploughshares, Calgary, or the Add Your Light Charitable Foundation. In living memory of Dr. Tollefson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.