Walter James Sandford

True to character, his passing was pronounced in a defiant streak of sunlight that broke through the rainy Fraser Valley morning on December 2, 2025. It shot brilliantly and persistently between the day’s dark clouds, fading finally to red at twilight into the Harrison horizon, like a set of glowing Goldwing tail lights destined for the next great adventure.

Walter is survived by, his wife and life long partner and ally, Frances Sandford (nee Foster); his son, Ronald James Sandford, daughters Fay Marie Sandford Sullivan and Christie Lynn Sandford as well as his treasured granddaughter and best friend, Madison Lynn Frances Sandford Hyndman. Walter is also survived by his beloved brothers Robert and Don Sandford, sister Ruth Kerr, as well as dear sister-in-law Vi Sandford and his many nieces and nephews with whom he established unique and lasting relationships. Walter is predeceased by his father, Rufus Sandford, and mother(s) Gladys (nee Weatherby) and Lucy Sandford, as well as his sisters Ellen McKay and Margaret Hrico, brothers Herb and Harold Sandford, and nephew Reid Robert Sandford.

Walter will be remembered for his unyielding commitment to critical thinking and the scientific approach to problem solving, as well as his unparalleled faith in the value of technology. Despite his devotion to methodological rigour, it did not interfere with his complete and absolute disregard for rules that might get in the way of fun— such as children’s bed time, the fine art of under-arm-farting at the dinner table or children being seen-but-not-heard. Indeed, he will be remembered by all children as one of the few adults to give full license to be curious and free thinking; every idea was worth listening to and every person with the courage to express an idea was validated by Walter’s full and complete attention. Walter is remembered by his brothers as marking the end of an era of poverty and leading the way, “always future facing”, to opportunity and unlimited possibilities.

A tribute to Walter’s life and legacy will be announced at a later date and celebrated in June, 2026, in Harrison Hot Springs, followed by an unruly celebration in Canmore, Alberta. Location, times and dates to be announced.