Joseph Balombin

Joe was born February 2, 1931 in Dalmuir, Alberta, and grew up on a farm northwest of Newbrook, Alberta. Joe was a graduate of the University of Alberta and a Professional Engineer. He worked in the communications field in Drayton Valley’s oil and gas fields then with the Alberta Government’s Public Works Department doing electrical and mechanical systems design. With a teaching certificate Joe taught at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology while also being the Assistant Program Head of the Electrical Engineering Technology Department until retirement in 1991 due to a heart problem. Joe’s hobbies and activities included travel, hiking, skiing, boating and especially snowmobiling in the wilderness and farming. In June 1957 he married his love Julia and they remained together until the final moment with Julia at his hospital bedside. Joe leaves four children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren, who all looked to him for his guidance, wisdom and leadership, and were in constant vigil beside him during his final stay in hospital care.

Autobiography of Joseph Balombin

My introduction to life and its tribulations began in a land of swamps and mosquitos northwest of Newbrook, Alberta in the early 1940’s, where I first lived in a log cabin amongst spruce and poplar trees. Then in a log and siding house, that we as a family built. During this time, with the help of a friend, my family built a sawmill, which was used to produce lumber to build the house and other buildings.

I had 3 brothers and 3 sisters. We all worked on the homestead land and provided most necessities ourselves, as most people did in those times. Initially all work was done by people and horses and then transitioned into engine driven machinery.

My initial education began in a one-room log building (still in existence) a 6km walk from home. I will always remember the miserable cold winters in deep snow, and clouds of mosquitos in the spring and summer. This made me wonder why such a horrible insect was ever created. After school I was to help with a variety of chores like chopping firewood, feeding the livestock, and then do homework. All kids in these days lived this type of lifestyle.

I was fortunate to have excellent teachers, whose lifestyles and background were similar to the people in that area. They understood what was important and useful to learn in order to achieve a better life in the future. This was from grades 1 to 8.

At 15 years of age I attended grade 9 at Gamefield School (located 18km from the homestead). I lived alone in a vacant farmhouse 4 km from the school. My grade 10 was at Newbrook, Alberta (38km from the homestead). I lived in a small one-room shack in Newbrook. During both years my family delivered necessities such as food, lamp oil, wood for the stove, clothing, and school supplies as was required.

I finished my high school in Edmonton at St. Joseph’s Composite High School. From there I attended the University of Alberta, in the Engineering program and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

In order to make money while attending high school I worked at various manual labour jobs such as ditch digging, plumbing, concrete work, in the lumber yards, etc. During my University years I worked doing roofing, welding, as a draftsman with Canadian Utilities, and in the electrical department at Sherritt Gordon Mines in Fort Saskatchewan. In hindsight, I should have used my education and worked more in commerce and business to gain experience in those areas.

In 1957, I married my lovely wife Julia, to whom I am still married, and together we have four children-two boys, and two girls; all residing in Edmonton.

Upon graduating from University, I worked in the communications field in Drayton Valley’s gas and oil fields and then with Alberta Government’s Public Works Department doing electrical and mechanical systems designs for various building types.

While there I had an excellent supervisor, Mr. Robert Proudfoot, under whose guidance I learned many aspects of the engineering field, both in design and systems administration. This was a very rewarding and enjoyable time for me.

Four years later, I joined the teaching staff at The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Electrical Engineering Technology Department, where I taught various courses within the Department’s two-year program and performed administration work. Since electrical and electronic technology was evolving very rapidly, the teaching and implementation of these changes into the program provided a very challenging role. Never a boring moment! I was the Department’s Assistant Program Head until my retirement in 1991, due to a heart problem. While at NAIT I had taken time off and enrolled in courses towards a degree in Education at the University of Alberta and obtained a teaching certificate in 1972.

While working at NAIT and following my retirement I did consulting work part-time producing electrical systems plans for various buildings of modest size ( such as the Marmot and Tonquin lodges in Jasper Park) community centers, motels, hotels, etc. In addition, my family and I did a bit of farming on a small scale our farm near Legal, Alberta. This provide a very enjoyable activity for all of us.

My outdoor hobbies and activities include travel, hiking, skiing, boating, and snowmobiling. I especially enjoy snowmobiling in the wilderness. My favourite model of snowmobile is the Polaris. On one occasion, a number of years ago, I took my 12 year old niece Beverly, for a snowmobile ride on a trail that wound its way amongst tall spruce to a lake. At the edge of the lake she tapped me on the shoulders to stop. When I did, she got off. She would not continue any further onto the lake with the snowmobile. Instead she stood and looked out across the lake. Assuming she was afraid the ice may break if we went on it, I told her I would make one tour around the lake to show her that it was safe. When I returned I asked her if she changed her mind and would like to go for a ride. She did not.

I told her I would go straight across the lake and return. As I sped away the side of the snowmobile hit a solid snow drift and flipped. I was hurled about 20 feet away while the snowmobile came to a rest a short distance away. I was stunned and immobilized. After I was able to get up and slowly walk to the machine. I righted it and drove to the lake’s edge where Beverly was waiting. I picked her up and drove us home.

I recall this story because for years, prior to being thrown from the snowmobile, I was bothered by sharp pain in the right side of my back. Amazingly, after being hurled onto the snowdrift, the pain, the pain disappeared!

In 1994, I underwent a successful major heart surgery. As a result I changed my lifestyle, started eating healthier foods, and being physically active. Currently I, and most of my family reside in Edmonton.

At present I keep myself busy with maintaining and repairing the family properties and vehicles with the help of my wife, children, and grandchildren. I have had many interesting adventure and experiences too numerous to mention in this autobiography.

My future plans are to continue with the same activities and do some sightseeing, and be involved with my family and seek new adventures.