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Ian Robert Ritchie
January 24, 1959 - May 25, 2021
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Befitting his Scottish roots, Ian Robert Ritchie was born January 24 — the day before Robbie Burns, Scotland’s national bard on January 25. The day before but two centuries later — to the year — in 1959 to Nancy & Robert Ritchie not long after they immigrated to Vancouver from Scotland.
The Ritchies returned to Scotland to live in Dumbarton where Ian started school. Younger brother Fraser was born in Scotland before the family returned to Canada and settled in West Vancouver where Ian spent his formative years.
After graduating West Vancouver Secondary School Ian attended BCIT to become a Forest Technician, graduating to work for BCFP and MacMillan Bloedel planning forestry layouts up and down the Central BC Coast and wilderness locales of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwai.
Attacked by a sow grizzly bear after encountering its twin cubs on the Central Coast in the early 1980s, Ian decided to switch to a safer profession.
After obtaining his Criminology Degree at SFU Ian embarked on a policing career that began with the RCMP in Saskatchewan, followed by uniformed duties with the Oak Bay Police Department, culminating in a 22-year career with the Saanich Police Department. Ian concluded his policing career by serving with the provincial Integrated Road Safety Units.
Ian and his family lived in Shawnigan Lake for many years and through their sons developed a long association with Shawnigan Lake School — such that in retirement he worked in the school’s transportation department, staggering similar duties with Cowichan School District No. 79.
A consummate people person, Ian volunteered with the Duncan Food Bank and Duncan Community Living and raised support for and rode in the 2005 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock — volunteering backup team support in subsequent Tour de Rock rides.
Condolences
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From: Derek and Marcia Egan
Relation: Work colleague
We were so sorry to learn of Ian’s passing. We send our most sincere sympathy to Ian’s entire family.
From: Heinz and Yvonne Roemer
Relation: Friend
Margaret and Family. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts ad prayers are with you all.We.will always remember Ian as the soccer coach!! he was so good with all the players. . We have many good memories of all those years watching our daughter play soccer with Ian as the coach.
From: Julie Scott-Polson
Relation: Friend
So Sad to hear this news.
Scottie and I have had many run ins and catch ups with Ian over the years.
And will miss his conversations. My condolences to Margaret and the kids.
From: David Haley
Relation: through Margaret
Dear Margaret and family, I am sorry to hear about your loss. These things always come as a shock. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
From: Nancy Stevens
Relation: Family friend
Our thoughts and prayers to Margaret and family at this difficult time.
From: Mike and Sue Chadwick
Relation: co-worker
Sue and I were so very sorry to hear of Ian’s passing. He was a caring and compassionate policeman and a great guy who always had time for a chat or a story. Our sincere condolences to Margaret and the boys
From: Laura Manning
Relation: SPD Co-worker
So sorry to hear of Ian’s passing. Ian always had that great smile, made time to have a catch up and chat. He will be missed. Condolences to Ian’s family and friends.
From: Walter P Robinson
Relation: Through a fellow policeman.
I will miss the cheerful laugh coming from the yellow bus when Ian would pull up beside me to ask how it was going and extend a hearty “Have a great day!”.
From: Margaret & André St Cyr
Relation: A friend
Our condolences to Margaret and family.. We will always remember our hike on Hornby Island with you all. We met you through friends who were also on the island at the time. Our children were young then and we all went on about a 10 k hike. We did not know at the start of the hike that Ian had made a bet that our daughter, who was about 4 , would not be able to finish the hike. Well our daughter not only finished but she led the pack! I will never forget Ian’s expression!! We all had a wonderful day together. I hope you can find comfort in many wonderful memories you have of Ian.❤️
From: Dwight Grieve
Relation: Ian and i first met doing bicycle rodeos at Discovery School Shawnigan Lake also helping with their bottle drives. We became fairly good friends after that.
Very sorry to hear of your loss Margret . Always enjoyed meeting Ian and having a friendly chat. It does not seem possible that he is gone.
Dwight Grieve
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