DECember 2009 issue
|
|
OBITUARIES
William Lawrence Fraser, P.Eng., FEC
APEGGA Hon. Life Member
Friends and family called him a kind gentleman, a sage and a mentor with a great approach to life and work. William Fraser, P.Eng., FEC, passed away on Oct 3 after a short illness. He was 90.
Mr. Fraser, an APEGGA past president, was born in Calgary, where he spent most of his life before relocating to Victoria, B.C., in 1997. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1953, then moved back to Calgary to begin his career with Calgary Power Ltd., now TransAlta Utilities Corporation.
Before retiring in 1991, Mr. Fraser held many positions within the company, completing his professional career as a senior vice-president. His time in the industry spanned four decades, covering a wide area from electrical utility planning, engineering and operation, to international contract negotiations.
He served on numerous boards, committees and task forces with APEGGA, completing a term as the Association President in 1982. He was awarded an APEGGA honorary life membership in 1983 and was further honoured for his service to his Association with the L.C. Charlesworth Professional Service Summit Award in 1995. In 2009, he was named a fellow of Engineers Canada.
Mr. Fraser served on a task force that reviewed the ASET application for registration under the Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act. For two terms — 1981 and 1994 — he was Alberta director of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, now commonly referred to as Engineers Canada.
Mr. Fraser is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, a daughter, Nancy, of Edmonton, a son, Gordon, of Calgary, and three grandchildren.