We regret to advise of the passing of Captain William McKenzie Gilchrist (Ret'd) of Ottawa ON, on 22 March 2003 at the age of 93 years.
William was born in Weyburn SK. He graduated from Queen's University and served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1941 until 1945. After the war, William worked in the uranium mining industry. During his career, he was President and Chairman of Eldorado Nuclear and its subsidiary company Eldorado Aviation, President of Northern Transportation, Governor of the Arctic Institute of North America, President of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, President of the Canadian Nuclear Association, and a Member of the Atomic Energy Control Board.
Among Mr. Gilchrist's many honours was the Massey Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, presented by the Governor-General of Canada, for his outstanding contributions to the development of Canada's north, that have combined to advance geographical knowledge. Mr. Gilchrist also received the Camsell Award of the Royal Camnadian Geographical Society, the Confederation Medal and the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal. He was a member of the Rideau Club, the Engineers' Club and Royal Ottawa Golf Club.
A funeral service was held on 31 March 2003, at Dominion-Chalmers United Church in Ottawa, ON. A reception followed in the Sir John A. Macdonald Room at the Rideau Club. Burial took place at Mount View Cemetery in Cambridge ON. Donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. {dcJan20, wrd} [zpp, zsd]