Obituary of John Louis Tiedje

TIEDJE, John Louis – passed away peacefully, July 18, 2013 at Bluewater Health in Sarnia, Ontario. John was born on April 18, 1921 in Princeton, B.C. but spent most of his youth in Trail, B.C. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1945 with a Master of Applied Science Degree in Chemical Engineering and joined the Research Department of Imperial Oil Ltd. in Sarnia. He spent 1971-1973 in France as Directeur de Recherches, on loan to ESSO France and returned to Sarnia to become Research Manager for Imperial Oil. He retired in 1984 after 39 years of service. John was active in the affairs of the World Petroleum Congress, serving for four years as Chairman of the Canadian National Committee and participating in the affairs of the international organization as a member of the Scientific Program Committee, the Executive Board and the Permanent Council. John and his wife Dorothy were active members of the Field Botanists of Ontario and Lambton Wildlife. John enjoyed the outdoors, skiing, hiking and sailing and was an avid wildflower photographer. While a student at UBC, John was president of the Varsity Outdoor Club. John is predeceased by daughter, Ellen and her husband Harry Butterfield of Hamilton and by his sister Patricia of Vancouver. He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy of 65 years, their three children Tom (Glenna) of Victoria, Jane (Steve) of Halifax and Henry (Dina) of Edmonton and five grandchildren, Megan, David (Michelle), Eric (Marianne), Brian (Lesley) and Ian. He is survived by his sister, Marian of Prince George. John's honesty, intelligence and generosity will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Central United Church in Sarnia on Wednesday July 24 at 11am with Rev. Dr. Christine Jerrett officiating; reception to follow in the church hall. Arrangements are entrusted to McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 519-344-3131. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, friends who wish may send memorial donations to Lambton Wildlife Inc., Box 682, Sarnia, Ont., N7T 7J7 or a charity of choice. Messages of condolence & memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com. A tree will be planted in memory of John Tiedje in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 15th, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area