Donald W Karpow

He is survived by his loving wife Lise Karpow nee Beaudin, his daughter Dawn Lianne Harrison, and his niece Kendall (Glenn) Epp.

He was predeceased by his sister Lois.

Don was born on December 9, 1937 to William and Edna Karpow. He grew up on a farm outside Arelee, a small town in Saskatchewan. He started working young, getting his first job working at Safeways. Don worked hard all his life. After grade 11 Don broke into the working world full-time. His drafting specialization at the high school technical collegiate offered him opportunities in surveying. Later, he moved to Calgary and got a job with Shell Canada. A transfer to Edmonton in his early career confirmed his preference for Calgary though he stuck it out for 15 years. He said the only “significant plus” from being in Edmonton was his daughter Dawn. After 8 years with Shell, Don decided to build his own drafting company with a friend – Karpow & Schmitz Drafting Ltd. When they were able to expand the business into Calgary Don was excited to move back!

Don eventually became one of the 9 shareholders in Tri-Ocean Engineering Ltd. After the oil and gas industry took a dive in the early 80s, the company was left with 5 shareholders and a secretary to keep themselves afloat. In 1986, Don met Lise at the Calgary Stampede. When Tri-Ocean found some work with off-shore rigs in 1988 they sent Don to Australia and Lise joined him. There he and Lise got married in 1989 “in a park, under a large tree beside a waterfall”.

They moved back to Calgary in the 90s. At this time the company had grown in Calgary and had added offices in the UK, Russia, and for a short time Nigeria.

Don was a well travelled man at this point, but he made his way to Russia for work saying his Russian was limited to please, thank you, hello and “nyet smetana” which means no sour cream.

In 2000 Tri-Ocean Engineering was sold, so in 2002 Don retired.

He and Lise moved to Vancouver Island in 2005 for a change of scenery and climate. They loved the ocean view and made many wonderful friends. They decided to move back to Calgary in 2018, downsizing in the process. There they reconnected with many old friends and made wonderful new friends at their new place. Don enjoyed even more travelling with friends and family.

He was well loved and left his mark on the world as well as many peoples’ lives. He will be dearly missed by numerous friends and his family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society (cancer.ca) or the Foothills Country Hospice (countryhospice.org) in Don’s memory.