APRIL 2008 Issue
Obituary
Reagan Stuart Williams, P.Eng.
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REAGAN WILLIAMS, P.ENG. |
An engineering family and company still reeling from their losses in one plane crash are now facing a similar tragedy. Reagan Williams, P.Eng., president of A.D. Williams Engineering, died with four passengers when the small plane he was piloting crashed en route to Winnipeg from Edmonton, March 28.
Reagan, 40, was the son of Allen Williams, P.Eng., the founder of A.D. Williams. Allen died just five months earlier near Golden, B.C., when the small plane he was piloting went down. That crash also claimed the company’s chief financial officer, however a young granddaughter of Allen’s survived.
In addition to Reagan, the most recent accident claimed the lives of the company’s new chief financial officer, Philippe Allard, and the director of business integration and strategy, Rhonda Quirke. Shaun Stewart and Trevor Korol also died in the business flight, which went down beside the Battle River near Wainwright, east of Edmonton.
Reagan and Allen were both regarded as excellent, experienced pilots. The cause of Reagan’s crash wasn’t known at press time, but he had reported gyroscope problems shortly after takeoff. The Piper Malibu broke apart in the air, authorities said.
Reagan took over the reins of A.D. Williams from his father in 2005. He said then that he envisioned the company growing and reaching new heights of quality customer service.
He developed an industry-leading, web-based program to promote growth and advancement within the company. It allowed engineering and technical staff to choose between paths leading to technical specialization or high-level management.
Reagan shone not only in his career but also in the community. In his volunteer life he served a number of groups, including the Edmonton Flying Club, the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and Junior Achievement of Northern Alberta/NWT.
Friends and family remember Reagan as having a passion for life and giving generously of his time to mentor and inspire others.
The president of the University of Alberta Swim Alumni, Reagan was known for his competitive swimming. He came close to making the Canadian Olympic Swim Team in 1987. Reagan helped set a Canadian record time in relay, the same year.
He won the Beaumont Trophy while at university, which is presented each year to the male swimmer with the best all around record for leadership, sportsmanship, progress and ability. He went on to coach swimming as well.
By all accounts, Mr. Williams was highly regarded as an engineer and colleague, a friend, and a family member.
“You couldn’t ask for a better guy to work with or to be friends with,” said Naseem Bashir, P.Eng., the newly appointed president of A.D. Williams Engineering. “It’s been a difficult time to lose great friends and mentors.”
A Facebook group dedicated to the memory of Reagan Williams had at press time more than 260 members.
Reagan Williams leaves behind his wife, Mandelle, a son, Fenwick, and his mother, Gwen, as well as a brother, a sister, his grandmother, and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to:
University of Alberta Swim Alumni
2104 10104 103 AVE NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0H8
or
Junior Achievement
200 World Trade Centre
9900 Jasper AVE NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7.
Both organizations have set up scholarship endowments in Reagan’s name.