Suresh Shankar Gurjar

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Charlotte "Sherry" Gurjar, his cherished children Rishi (Carlin), Ritu (Laurie), and Jaya (Sebastian), his adored grandchildren Anika, Kiran, and Hana; his extended family in India and countless friends.

Suresh was born on June 16, 1944 in India and spent his formative years in Mumbai. He pursued his passion for engineering, graduating with a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering with first class honours from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). He immigrated to Canada (Halifax) in 1967 where he earned an M.Eng. in Civil Engineering at the Dalhousie University in May 1969, followed by an MBA from the University of Alberta in May 1982.

While attending school in 1968, he crossed paths with Sherry, laying the foundation for a lifelong bond. In 1972 Suresh and Sherry married in Montreal and moved to Calgary where they started their family, eventually settling in Edmonton in 1977.

Throughout his illustrious 40-year career, Suresh worked for Hardy Associates, Hardy-BBT AGRA, AGRA Earth & Environmental and Thurber Engineering where he held many executive positions including Director, Vice President, Sr. Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Concrete Engineer.

Suresh made significant contributions to the field of engineering and beyond. He served diligently on the Board of Examiners for APEGA from 1989 to 1995 and held various esteemed positions, including Director of the Alberta Ready Mixed Concrete Association in 1980 and 1981, Director of the Alberta Chapter of the American Concrete Institute in 1981, and President of the Alberta Chapter of the American Concrete Institute in 1983.

Suresh's commitment to education was evident in his role as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Alberta from 1990 to 1993. He also dedicated his time and expertise to organizations such as The Consulting Engineers of Alberta, where he served as Treasurer and Board Member from 1994 to 1996.

His technical acumen and leadership were further demonstrated through his involvement in various technical committees, including concrete CSA Standards for over 15 years. Suresh's impact extended to the federal level, where he served as Chairman of the Technical Advisory Group for Concrete Research from 1991 to 1995.

In recognition of his service and dedication, Suresh was honored as an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton. His influence and generosity touched the lives of many, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Suresh led a fulfilling personal life. He found joy in leisurely pursuits such as golfing, listening to Indian classical music, and socializing with friends and family. He accomplished the feat of running a full marathon in Edmonton in 1999 at the age of 55. His love for adventure and exploration took him to over 40 countries, and he enjoyed wintering in Ajijic, Mexico, from 2008 to 2022.

Suresh was a wonderful friend & mentor to many, respected engineer, grateful husband, proud father and loving grandfather. Family was his greatest accomplishment.

A celebration of Suresh’s life will be held at 1:00pm on April 28, 2024 at Hainstock’s Funeral Home (9810 34 Ave) with a reception to follow. The service will be live-streamed, as well as recorded. If you would like a link, please reach out to a member of the Gurjar family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.