Lance Boyd Balcom

On November 28th, Lance Balcom left us after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He left just as Ginny, his wife of 40 years, and his sisters Marni and Tracey, and friend Helen, were starting (yet another) Scrabble game at his bedside. He heaved a great sigh and headed off to his next adventure. We think he'd had enough Scrabble for a lifetime.

A kind and adventurous person with an inquiring mind and a wry sense of humor, Lance saw the best in everyone and was invested in their happiness and success. Lance leaves a legacy of family, friendship, and optimism. And a myriad of lives made better through knowing him.

Whether coaching Lego robotics teams, building a world-class educational robotics program in BC, helping organizations adopt innovative technology, or helping UBC Engineers turn an old cheese factory into their gathering place, fondly known as 'The Cheeze', and then as it crumbled, help replace it with the new Engineering Student Centre, Lance's focus was on the people, on creating opportunities for learning and growth and expanding horizons for all.

As a father, brother, friend, and husband Lance was present, engaged, thoughtful, and caring, always there when needed, with a ready smile, a warm hug, and the encouragement that 'it will be the right decision'.

Lance's love of learning and discovery led him and his family across the globe, never daunted by new languages, failed brakes, broken wrists, or any of the other challenges that voyaging into the unknown inevitably brings.

Like his parents before him, Lance loved family and invested in lasting friendships. He loved gatherings, happily hosting rambunctious kids, neighbourhood watch meetings, family dinners, and parties with as many people as fit into the Balcom home (and sometimes more).

His wry sense of humour was his hallmark, always a witty comment, whether to fuel a joyous moment or provide relief when most needed.

In this spirit, his wife Ginny (aka Virginia), his children Bryce (Lisa) and Keegan (Wes), his sisters Tracey (Rob) and Marni (Jose), sisters-in-law Kerry and Peggi (Phil), and nieces and nephews (Rhys, Shayla, Jared, Hal, Devlin, Zoey, and Kai), invite those who knew Lance to join them at the Stanley Park Brewpub on December 6th at 1:00 PM to celebrate his life as he celebrated many Christmases - with a Tacky Gift Party. For more information about the celebration of life, and to let us know you'll be attending, please go to: https://tinyurl.com/2p83b2tm

Lance's great passion was creating opportunities for educational robotics, particularly for youth who might not otherwise have access. The Lance Balcom Memorial Youth Robotics Fund has been established to build on Lance's legacy, supporting educational robotics and STEM programs in BC. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the fund: https://give.vancouverfoundation.ca/s/lancebalcom