Tribute

Walter Frey of Powell River, British Columbia died on October 25 2010. Walter Eugene Frey was born in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan on August 17, 1937, son of Walter Frey and Margaret (Materi) of Fox Valley. His four grandparents were among the earliest pioneers west of the Great Sand Hills in the Fox Valley district of south-west Saskatchewan. Educated in Regina and Medicine Hat, he began his career as an accountant, taking an early interest in the rapidly expanding availability of mainframe computers in the late 1950s. Pursuing this interest through university extension programs in computing science, his subsequent career encompassed the installation and technical and administrative management of large computer systems in a wide range of commercial, financial, educational and governmental environments. He married Myrna Paulson of Medicine Hat and together they began a family and a life of mobility as his career took him across the country. He was pre-deceased by his father Walter (1905-1956); his mother, Margaret (1914-1993); nephew Jonathan and brother Gary. He is survived by the sunshine of his life, Myrna, son Lincoln (Lynda Ames), of High River Alberta, daughter Kim (Daniel Boyco) of Camrose, Alberta, son Daniel of Powell River, grandchildren Glynis, Erica, Morgan, Heather, Sarah and Marcus, sister-in-law Karen, niece Samantha (Stavros Karlos), grandniece Apollonia of Banff, Alberta and his aunt Frances (Anderson) of Medicine Hat. Following computer assignments in the wholesale distribution and investment industries in Alberta and Ottawa, he was appointed Director of Information Systems for the Edmonton Public School Board in 1967. There he organized and managed what was to become one of the most advanced computer facilities in the large North American public school systems of its day. His later work included freelance software design and consulting in British Columbia and the Yukon. He ended his professional career as Senior Manager, Systems Development and Research, for the Controller”s Office of Alberta Treasury.
In 1992, after 33 years in the computer industry, he accepted an opportunity for early retirement and moved with Myrna to Powell River, BC. Abandoning all things digital, they explored the anchorages and rapids of Desolation Sound and the waters of Georgia Strait and Johnstone Strait. They travelled extensively in their motorhome, including several winter seasons in Mexico, where they taught themselves to sail in a small sloop they restored, and made a lengthy rail journey in Europe where Walter had “hitch-hiked” as a young man. Pursuing one of his many other interests, he compiled a history of the Frey and Materi familes for his children. He spent his spare time messing around with boats. His ashes will be buried in Medicine Hat with, at his request, no ceremony. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Stubberfield Funeral Home. Condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.stubberfieldfh.com.