Paul West Obituary, Death – Paul Ronald WEST 1940 – 2023 FCIC Dr. Paul R. West P.Chem died on March 14, 2023, in Victoria, British Columbia, leaving behind his devoted wife, Louise; his children, Barbara, Carrie, Robert (Tanya), Allison (James), and Laura (Michael); and his grandchildren, Taylor, Brittany, Paige, Jacob, Maggie, and Frances. Predeceased by older brother Barry, younger brother Steve (Marie), sisters-in-law Jane West and Wendy Luxon, and several nieces and nephews survive. He’ll be sorely missed. Margaret and Percy West raised Paul in London, Ontario. He met Louise Mullin during a dance while studying for his Hons. BSc and PhD in Chemistry at McMaster University, and they eventually married at McMaster Chapel.
Paul joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Victoria in 1968. From 1987 until 2002, he was the longest-serving Director of the Environmental Studies Program and then the School of Environmental Studies at UVic, where he helped construct and expand the School while teaching sustainability and environmental protection to a generation of students. He also served on the British Columbia Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (1990-1994), the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (1993-1995), the Forest Renewal BC Work Force Committee (1994-1999), ECO Canada, and the Standards Council of Canada’s ISO 14000 Implementation Committee (1995-1998).
Paul was instrumental in the formation of British Columbia’s Science Advisory Board for Contaminated Sites and served as its President for many years, providing scientific guidance for B.C. standards and risk assessment in soil, vapour, and groundwater contaminants to protect human health and ecosystems. He was also the Chair and President of the Association of the Chemical Profession of British Columbia, as well as the Chair of the Federation of Professional Chemists of Canada. In his previous post, he was crucial in establishing the P.Chem professional designation in British Columbia.
He was involved in community concerns in Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island, notably those concerning the environment. The Saanich Environmental and Natural Areas Committee honored him with the Long-Term Environmental Achievement Award in 2013. Paul played rugby in his youth in both Canada and the United Kingdom and was a proud former member of the Hamilton Hornets, celebrating their 100th anniversary in recent years. Because of his numerous bruises, he was dubbed “Technicolor Man.”
Paul’s family will remember him for his wit and wisdom, his personal integrity, and his unending love and support. Louise, the children, and the grandchildren will miss Paul’s incredible vinyl record collection and will be eternally thankful to him for being the best of husbands, fathers, and grandfathers. Many thanks to the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s team of doctors, nurses, and staff for their exceptional medical care, professionalism, and friendliness. There was a memorial service for immediate family members. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be donated to an environmental effort.