BATES, Allan Clifford
December 4, 1946 – December 20, 2011
Allan Clifford Bates B.Sc., M Sc., Ph.D. passed away on December 20, 2011.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on December 4, 1946, he excelled early as an athlete at J.B. Mitchell Junior High and later as president of Grant Park Collegiate. Always a brilliant student, he achieved his Bachelors and Masters of Science at the University of Manitoba. On December 31, 1971, he married his college sweetheart, Johanna (Joanne) Bates. They moved to Calgary where Allan began his geophysical career with Pan Canadian Petroleum. In 1973, Allan began his Ph.D. in Geophysics at the University of Alberta. From 1976-2002 he was with Gulf Oil, then Arrow Energy and finally, Husky Oil. A gifted geophysicist, he loved science and discovered some of the major deep water oil wells on the East Coast and Beaufort Sea. Allan was also a brilliant guitarist, beginning with Neil Young and the Squires, one of the bands from the Winnipeg Band Scene of the sixties. Most of all, Allan was immensely proud of his four children. Larissa followed in his footsteps as a geophysicist, Raymond became a successful businessman, Matthew an international produce broker, fluent in Spanish and finally, Allan Jr. is completing a six year degree in medicine in Dublin.
Allan leaves to mourn his four beloved children, Matthew (Edith) Bates of Langley, British Columbia, Larissa (Corey) Bjornson of Okotoks, Alberta, Raymond (Fatima) Bates of Calgary and Allan Jr. Allan is also survived by seven beautiful grandchildren, Dominic, Julianna, Sophia, Maria, Naomi, Raymond Jr. and Baby Theodore. Also, sister Lorna, brother Raymond, both of Winnipeg and nephews Kevin, Darryl, Darren and niece, Lindsay. Allan was predeceased by his father Matthew and mother Pearl.
Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Coby Van der Zeijst Memorial Bursary at the University of Victoria or to a charity of choice. Please contact mbritt@uvic.ca for details.
In living memory of Allan Bates, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200
Print Obituary & Condolences
Matthew, Larissa, Raymond, Allan & Aunt Joanne; I know the pain you are all feeling at this time with the loss of your father as I too went through the very same pain many years ago with the loss of mine. Trust me though, as time goes by this pain will diminish and will be followed by a life time of pleasant memories of a man that was 50% of the reason that we grace this planet and can love our own children as our fathers loved us. My memories of your father were ones of admiration and respect. He and your mother where key figures in my childhood. Together they made birthdays and Christmas’ very memorable occasions. From me and my family to each of yours, we send you our deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad. I leave each of you with the following words to read as I have often read because to me they ring so true in my relationships with Monika and Carolyn.
“A Fathers Love”
Fathers seldom say “I love you”
Though the feeling’s always there,
But somehow those three little words
Are the hardest ones to share.
And fathers say “I love you”
In ways that words can’t match -
With tender bedtime stories -
Or a friendly game of catch!
You can see the words “I love you”
In a father’s boyish eyes
When he runs home, all excited,
With a poorly wrapped surprise.
A father says “I love you”
With his strong helping hands -
With a smile when you’re in trouble
With the way he understands.
He says “I love you” haltingly,
With awkward tenderness -
(It’s hard to help a four-year-old into a party dress!)
He speaks his love unselfishly
By giving all he can
To make some secret dream come true,
Or follow through a plan.
A father’s seldom-spoken love
Sounds clearly through the years -
Sometimes in peals of laughter,
Sometimes through happy tears.
Perhaps they have to speak their love
In a fashion all their own.
Because the love that fathers feel
Is too big for words alone!
~ Author Unknown ~
Johanna, my most sincere thoughts and support both personally and on behalf our our team.
Lee
To the Bates family:
A working buddy on and off for 25 years as well as a fellow musician in the 80′s. May all our words of sympathy help to ease your pain and may you find some comfort knowing others truly care. Allan’s geophysical help over these years was greatly appreciated.
Dave Caulfield and my wife Tommy
I was a grad student at U of A with Alan in the 1970′s. We connected many times during our working careers in Calgary’s oilpatch over the ensuing decades. Alan’s quick wit and tireless work ethic made him a great colleague for many CSEG and industry duties and functions. The geophysical industry will be lessened without him. My sincere condolences to his family who surely will miss him even more.
Dr. Larry Marks
I enjoyed working with Alan at Gulf Canada many years ago. I especially enjoyed “working” with him when he took on the impossible task of trying to teach me how to properly play the guitar when I decided to pick it up again after many years of inactivity. Through those few sessions in his basement I got to experience firsthand his deep passion for music. He was a very talented man who will be missed.
Larissa, you have my deepest sympathy. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
Cyndi
Johanna our sincere condolences for you and your family’s loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Johanna, please accept our condolences for your loss.
It was a pleasure to have known Al. From time spent working with him in the Sylvan Lake group at Gulf, to field trips to Ft Mac. and back to Bottlescrews where darts were the sport of choice, it was always fun. With Al you could always count on a very straight forward unabridged discussion. I’ll surely miss that. Deepest sympathies to the family.
Allan was very special. He was funny, talented,smart as can be and the greatest guy I ever met..we all will miss him.
Dear Bates Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences at the passing of Allan. I had the pleasure of working with him for the past two years while managing the Resource Gas group at Husky Energy. He was such a great person to have in the group, always keen in imparting his knowledge and with a great attitude.
He was great in telling a joke and we shared some good laughs just in the last few days. I apologize for not being able to attend his service, but I have some family commitments in B.C. over the holidays. I know my colleagues will pass on the best wishes from all his friends at Husky. John Hogg, who worked with him at Gulf also asked me to pass on his heartfelt sympathy. Best wishes, JW
I was a co-worker of Al Bates at both Gulf Canada and Husky Energy. I will greatly miss his advice, great sense of humor, and enthusiasm for CFL games. My sincere condolences to the Bates family during this tragic time.
Dear Johanna, Larissa, Raymond, Matthew and Allan Jr,
our most heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.
Allan’s first love was his family and he was especially proud of his children’s accomplishments.
To those of us in the geophysical industry he was a highly valued friend and respected colleague.
Sincerely,
Ray, Sharon & Jeff Lipkewich
As co-workers of Alan’s at Gulf we were saddened to hear of his passing. May this be a time for gathering all the fond and best memories of Alan’s life and hold these in your hearts forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with grieving family and friends. Karen and Andrew Kryzan.
Johanna, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you manage through this difficult time.
Dear Joanna . Please accept our sympathy for your loss
Dear Johanna, Matthew, Larissa, Raymond and Allan.
I am so sorry to hear Allan passed away so suddenly.
My memories of Allen, when I lived with you in 1986/’87, are very nice. He was very kind, funny and definitely a great musician. He always treated me with warmth and acceptance.
My sincere thoughts are with you all, veel sterkte in this very difficult time.
Liefs, Greet
My deepest condolences to all the Bates Family during this difficult and trying time.I was a co-worker with Allan at Husky. I will miss his humor and discussions about food and football in the coffee room. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Our dearest Joanna;;
We offer our deepest sympathy for the loss of Allan..
Our prayers are with you and your family..
Ernie and Isabelle Watson