Einar Dennis Blix
A wonderful life of adventure came to an end November 25th, 2014
Born December 7th, 1930 in Shanghai, China, Einar began his travels early in life when at 18 months he was sent to live in England. At age 7, he went to live on his uncles’ farm in Follebu, Norway. In Norway there is a term – friluftsliv – that is used often to describe a way of life that is spent exploring and appreciating nature, and it was definitely in Norway where he developed his lifelong passion for the outdoors.
From 1950 to 1954, Einar attended Leeds University. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. In 1962, he returned to Leeds University and received his Masters degree.
A job with Northern Electric of Montreal brought him to Canada in 1954. In 1956, Einar eagerly accepted a job with Alcan in Kemano, BC. After a “wonderfully adventurous journey” from Montreal to Kemano he found “the experience of landing in the midst of the Kitimat/Kemano project” and the incredible beauty of the natural surroundings “to be something completely new, incredibly exciting and almost overpowering” (quotes from Einar’s memoirs).
Shortly after arriving in Kemano he met Barri, a beautiful, adventure loving, young woman from England. In her he found a companion who loved the outdoors and the beauty of nature as much as he did. They married November 30th, 1957 and together they travelled the world on one adventure after another by car, boat, train, airplane but most often on foot, hiking and skiing in the mountains.
Einar worked primarily for Alcan from 1956 until his retirement in 1987. In 1975, he took a leave from Alcan when he decided to realize his dream to write a trail guide for northwestern BC – he spent his leave time researching and writing and in 1977 the first edition of Trails To Timberline was published. Einar was very happy that his book was so well received and so enjoyed hearing from people that it had been helpful to them.
Retiring to Smithers was a decision made long before he actually retired. Einar particularly loved Smithers, because of the incredible beauty and the amazing hiking and skiing opportunities, and just as importantly, also loved all of the interesting people here in the valley that he met who enriched his life. Right up until the end, he gained immense pleasure from the friends who came to visit him.
Einar was a wonderful father and he instilled in his children his love of the outdoors, nature and the incredible importance of preserving our beautiful wilderness and environment.
Einar is survived by his wife, Barri; his son, Andrew; his daughters, Nancy (Murray) Olivier and Lorna (Tim) Evenden; his grandchildren Jake, Jimmy, Danny and Ella; his sister Nina Filby, and his brother Carl Peter.
A Celebration of Einar’s Life will be held January 10th, 2015 from 1-4pm at The Friendship Center in Smithers. Please come and join us in celebrating and sharing his wonderful life of adventure.
Condolences may be offered at
www.raschraderfuneralhome.com
R.A. Schrader Funeral Services
250-847-2441