Richard Mark Fredericks

Along with Wendy, he leaves behind his sons Alex and Ben Fredericks Chan

(Vancouver), mother Maureen Hill (Nanaimo), sister Theresa Fredericks (Vancouver),

Forrest Johnston (Victoria), and the Chan Family (Vancouver): May, Yen, Roger,

Carolyn, Lana, Michelle (Garvin), and their children Matt, Will, Megan and Chloe.

Richard grew up in Nanaimo, Victoria and Sidney and completed his BA in Sociology at

the University of Victoria, an MA in Sociology at UBC, Vancouver, and was an ABD (all

but dissertation) candidate in the PhD program at UBC where he had completed all the

fieldwork, but life and other priorities got in the way of completing the writing.

While working on his PhD, Richard began teaching as a sessional instructor in the

Sociology program at UBC, and at Nanaimo’s Malaspina University-College (renamed

Vancouver Island University or VIU) in the Sociology and Global Studies departments.

He was regularized at VIU as a permanent part-time faculty member, a position he held

for 20 years until his passing. He was passionate about teaching and inspiring students

to research both sides of a topic, critique and think for themselves. The majority of his

students thrived with his teaching style and registered in every class he taught. Years

after completing courses, students still raved about his teaching approach to academic

education.

Throughout his graduate studies, Richard worked as a book scout, finding used books

to sell to bookshops, colleges, and universities. His love of and deep knowledge of

books continued as he opened his own online book business where he sold books on

Amazon and Abe as well as to local bookshops. Over the years he formed close

relationships with other booksellers in the Vancouver area, and his dream was to one

day open his own bookstore.

Richard’s greatest love though was his twin sons, Alex and Ben. He was a devoted and

loving father, sharing equally in their care, and their well being was the most important

thing in his life. He loved spending time with them on fun outings, he shared his love of

books and reading with them, and he got them interested in the thrill of thrifting and

finding a great bargain. He was so proud of their every accomplishment and shared

their latest interests with everyone he knew.

Richard wore many hats - he was a university instructor, an entrepreneur, a treasure

hunter, a dog lover, and a life-long partner. But the role he was most proud of was being

a father to his sons.

Rest in peace dear, you left us much too soon.

Tribute video of Richard Mark Fredericks:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1od11htBJ7Uo0-K3c2jCWrxKTJP4Y5p-G/view?usp=sharing