Mr. H.R.B (Rolf) Paterson

Rolf was born in Salmon Arm, BC to Alvera and Max Paterson and lived in Sicamous until age 7 then moved to Vernon where he attended Vernon Prep School to grade 9 and Vernon High School for grades 10 and 11. In 1958 the family moved to Vancouver where he attended Magee High School. He then attended the University of British Columbia, where he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Commerce. He started his business career articling for Clarkson Gordon continuing to practice with the firm as a Chartered Accountant for two years. In 1970 he left Clarkson Gordon to take a senior management position with Daiwa Canada where ultimately, he became president. In 1986 he and long-time friend Bruce Russell acquired the Gulf Pacific Group, a multi-faceted commercial property management company with offices in North Vancouver, Toronto and Duncan, BC, which continued to be an important part of his life up to his passing. Through Gulf Pacific, they acquired a significant interest in Enerpro Systems Corp. a leader in the energy management industry. In addition to his business interests, throughout his life Rolf was a dedicated and passionate volunteer on numerous local and national boards of Directors, committees and associations, including: president of both the BC and Canadian Badminton Associations and as the CBA representative, was a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee plus served as the vice president of the Pan American Badminton Association. More recently he was a director on the 2010 Winter Olympics finance committee. He served as a director and president of the Vancouver Racquets Club and a director of Hollyburn Country Club, the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, Yaletown House and the Architecture Foundation of BC. He was indeed a mentor to many in business and community groups.

Sports, whether as a player, administrator or spectator were an important part of Rolf’s life which helped define his sterling, caring, competitive and cooperative nature. While soccer, fishing, golf, tennis and squash were much loved sports, he and his brother Ed played highly competitive badminton for almost 40+ years excelling at an international level and reigned for many years as Canadian junior singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles champions. The brother duo represented Canada at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Jamaica while Rolf also played in the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. They were both members of 3 Canadian Thomas Cup teams in competition against Japan, Mexico and the USA. At age 57, with his good friend Bruce Rollick, Rolf won the men’s doubles at the Canadian Seniors’ Badminton Championships.

Rolf also loved to travel, experiencing some of his most cherished moments and memories traveling with his family, including his young grandchildren. He traveled extensively through sports and business, but enjoyed it most with his family, especially in his later years.

Notwithstanding an incredible business, sports and volunteer career, Rolf’s greatest love and pride was his family. While predeceased by his mother and father, he leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Ann; two daughters, Alison; Joann (Lindsay) Ross and beloved granddaughters Ellie and Camryn; his brother, Ed (Lis) Paterson; sister-in-law and husband, Jean and Jim Binnie, nephew Gregg and nieces Tine, Rhonda and Dale, as well as a wide circle of great friends, business associates and company staff, whom he considered as family.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Kim Chi and staff at the BC Cancer Agency for their care throughout his 5-year battle and more recently, the Lions Gate Hospital staff and Vancouver Coastal Health Home Care Team.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paterson Family Fund, c/o the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, proceeds of which are for the North Shore Hospice or alternatively, to the BC Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

May his soul rest in peace.