Mr. Richard John Henry Carswell

Richard John Henry Carswell was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Richard always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Richard was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

His parents were John and Gale Carswell. Richard was raised in Golden, BC and Fort St, James, BC. Always able to express himself well, Richard possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Richard was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Richard was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Richard was raised with two siblings. He had two older sisters, Karen and Laurie. Richard had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Richard showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Richard enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in hockey, volleyball, fast pitch, golf, and skiing. He was a Scout. In his spare time he liked to play sports and go hunting and fishing with his Dad.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Richard was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Fort St. James High School in 1990. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite classes in high school were PE and math. Richard will be remembered by classmates for helping his hockey team win the Provincial Championships.

When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to Richard. Again, his direct, “down to earth” approach served him well. He was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Victoria and a Master Certificate in Project Management from York University. Richard participated in UVic's co-op program which offered him the opportunity to experience various Engineering jobs during his studies.

Friends and acquaintances found Richard an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Richard was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. He had many friends, including Mark, Josh, Ed, Veronica, Mark, Adam, Richard, and Larry.

On October 4, 2009 Richard exchanged wedding vows with Amanda Grace Staton at the Wickaninnish Inn on Chesterman Beach of Tofino, BC. Richard was attentive to Amanda's feelings, and he charmed Amanda and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Richard was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

Richard was excited and very proud to know that his son would be born in late August 2010.

Richard was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Richard’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Richard was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Richard could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was mechanical engineering. His work experience included many years of forest firefighting, Engineer at Harmony Integrated Systems, Engineer at MTU Aero Engines, Engineer and Project Manager at Coe Newnes, and Engineer and Project Manager at Plutonic Power.

Richard enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits encouraged his sense of adventure: hiking, camping, volunteering for ski patrol, traveling around the world and collecting art from the places he visited, wine making and tasting, and spending quality time with friends and family. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Because he liked to take risks, Richard was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. In high school, Richard played hockey, fast pitch, volleyball, and golf. In his college years, Richard continued to stay active by participating in a variety of social sporting activities. Recreational activities included downhill, cross country, and back country skiing, golf, white water kayaking, Jiu Jitsu, cycling, marathon running, and triathlon. Richard was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Top on his list was hockey.

Richard was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made him a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which he belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Richard worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout his later years, Richard was involved in the Salmon Arm Wine Guild, the Committee for a Strong and Sustainable Salmon Arm, and volunteered his time for a community park project in Salmon Arm. He was also a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of BC.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Richard truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included surfing with Mark in Indonesia, multiple Hawaii trips, Tofino, Quebec City, and Mexico.

Richard was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. His family was rounded out by an energetic Golden Retriever named Tove.

Richard was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Richard had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Mr. Richard John Henry Carswell.