David Gordon Hunter, PEng, MBA
September 26, 1934  (Edinburgh) – August 6, 2022 (Revelstoke)

It is with sadness that we announce the sudden death of David Gordon Hunter. David was the only surviving child of Scottish expatriates, spending his early life in China, Hong Kong, Australia, and South Africa before attending Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College (’53). After graduation, David served as an officer in the British Royal Navy, based in Hong Kong and Singapore. His early career began in Singapore with Malaysian Stevedoring before he was convinced to give up the Far East life for a university degree in Vancouver. David attended UBC, graduating from civil engineering (’61), and there he met and wed his life partner, Margarete (Gretel) Kruger.

Calling Vancouver his home, but ever the adventurer, David continued to explore the world, and the couple moved their family to various locations including Dominica, Britain, Northern BC, Jamaica, Indonesia, and Thailand, where he was primarily working as an international development specialist with global aid agencies within water, sewage, power, and infrastructure space.

David also did shorter solo contracts throughout Canada, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Northern Africa and Asia. His professional contributions were extensive; latterly he worked as an expert in engineering claims for Revay and Associates for 25 years, only retiring in 2021.

Not only was David a valuable member of his profession, he and his wife were home builders extraordinaire who took building to the next level by doing everything from pouring concrete to plumbing to shingling roofs. Their legacy remains in the homes they single-handedly built in Whistler, Vancouver,  and finally in Chilliwack, where they spent 20 years on their beloved acreage at Ryder Lake.

David made lifelong friends wherever he went and, along with Gretel, and despite the many bionic parts he acquired latterly, faithfully and frequently travelled the globe, Canada, and their BC backyard, keeping those connections and friendships alive. He was active with the Old Fettisians and did not miss the opportunity to gather with his UBC Civil (’61) classmates.

A keen intellect and intensely knowledgeable of world affairs, David loved his family, his pets, and the outdoors; he spent his final days with all three in the country he loved so much. He will be missed by his wife Gretel, his children Bruce, Birte (Tom), and Rhona, and his grandchildren Kiah, Sheldon, Makenzie, Siobhan, Teagan, and Keeva.