Having experienced gaslight to lasers; hand falling trees on springboards to helicopter logging, George Dashwood “hiked out” at the age of 98.
As did many who lived most of the 20th century, George had a minimal education yet, at the age of 94, made appreciable inroads into Stephen Hawking’s books and was ready to talk to anyone about string theory and world monetary policies. During his lifetime he made sure that he contributed to his communities, mainly in Lake Cowichan and Youbou B.C., leading Scouts and Junior Forest Wardens. He was the “go to guy” for everything from a hand caught in a mix-master to opening locked and keyless suitcases, to fixing clocks.
George grew up in the Fraser Valley and among many activities, played an above average game of tennis and loved walking the woods with a ‘Trapper Nelson’ on his back. He married twice; first to Peggy who died of TB shortly after, then to Pearl with whom he was able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with their family Pearl (Peter Nordvie), Alice (Marc Holm), Stephanie (Bill Clifford), George (Wendy Dashwood), grand and great-grandchildren.
Long before the buzz words of ECO friendly, lifelong learning, and environmentalism, his children and many young people learned from him the importance of education, of the need for respect and care of the environment, and the value of lifelong friendships.
We will miss his strength, wisdom and love. He died comfortably, with family present, on October 31 at Prince George Hospice.