Eric's Obituary

CLEMENS Eric George July 1, 1938 - October 6, 2008 Peacefully, after a 9-month struggle with cancer, Eric, our beloved brother and uncle, breathed his last breath on October 6 in Victoria, BC. Eric leaves to mourn brother Paul (Carole) (Hornby Island), sisters Val (Winnipeg) and Lenore (Vancouver), niece Kristiana, and nephews Jeremy and Noah. Kristiana's mother Pam also remained a valued friend.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Eric lived and worked in London, England; Ames, Iowa; Ottawa; and finally Victoria, the city he loved best. Eric obtained several degrees, which charted his career path from architecture to public administration, teaching, research and publication: Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture and Urban Design, and Master of Public Administration.

Eric had been co-authoring a book with UVic colleague Bob Bish. Despite recurring physical weakness, Eric managed to complete his part in the project within the last two weeks of his life. This determination to fulfil an obligation was characteristic of Eric, as were his loyalty to family and friends, his concern for their well-being, his integrity, his good will, and his spiritual faith. He will be greatly missed.

Having spent the first ten years of his life in Winnipeg's mainly-Icelandic West End, Eric was the one who kept us connected with our Icelandic roots. He took our mother (Amma) to Iceland in 1991 and organized a wonderful 'clan gathering' of six to visit relatives there in 2005. He was an active member of the Icelandic Club of Victoria.

Eric enjoyed some physical respite in the summer, when he visited family and friends in Victoria and on the islands. Thanks to all for their hospitality.

Thanks also to the many folks who expressed their care and concern for Eric during this difficult time. The family also wishes to thank the staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospice for their kind and attentive care in his last hours.

Many thanks as well to colleague Evert Lindquist for his invaluable help in arranging the memorial gathering.

We are deeply grateful to friend Joan Young for her stalwart support of Eric throughout his illness.

The gathering will be held on Saturday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fireplace Lounge, University Club, University of Victoria (parking lots 9 or 10). In lieu of flowers, donations in Eric's memory may be made to a charity of choice.

Published in the Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on 10/16/2008

In Memoriam, School of Public Administration, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC

In Memoriam
July 1, 1938 -- October 6, 2008

We were sad to learn of the passing of Eric G. Clemens, a wonderful colleague, alumnus, friend and contributor to the School of Public Administration.

Eric was a management consultant whose areas of practice included public policy and program analysis, survey research, and local and aboriginal government management, finance and service delivery. Eric’s local and aboriginal government work has included projects for the Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot, Capital Regional District, City of Victoria, Town of View Royal, District of Metchosin, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Indian Taxation Advisory Board, and the Squamish, Tsawwassen and Adams Lake First Nations. He also served as a Senior Planner (Urban Design) with the National Capital Commission in Ottawa.

Eric never was far away from higher education, holding several degrees: Bachelor of Architecture (Manitoba), Master of Architecture and Urban Design (Washington, St. Louis) and Master of Public Administration (Victoria). Eric was an Adjunct Assistant Professor in UVic’s School of Public Administration and has served as a practicing architect, and an Assistant Professor of Architecture.

Eric had many close connections with the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria. It is hard to think of the School without him. He developed and taught courses in local government, urban and regional economics, property taxation and contracting out government services. Eric collaborated with Professors Bob Bish and Jim McDavid on research projects. His published work included consulting reports and academic studies, such as Indian Government Taxes and Services in British Columbia (1991), with Robert Bish and Hector Topham, and “Contracting out local government services: the B.C. experience” (1995), with James McDavid. The latter received the J.E. Hodgetts Award for the best English-language article published in Canadian Public Administration in 1995. Most recently, Eric was co-author with Bob Bish on the fourth edition of Local Government in British Columbia, an important publication for local government professionals and students in BC.

Eric was proud of his Icelandic heritage. For many years he was a member of the Icelanders of Victoria Club, serving as treasurer, vice-president and long-time editor of the club’s newsletter. He also had a more playful role as one of the Jólasveinar (Christmas elves). His friends and kinfolk will miss his cheerful and knowledgeable company.

Hvíl í friði vinur og takk fyrir allt.

Rest in peace friend and thank you for everything.

Our thoughts are with Eric’s sisters, Lenore and Valdine; and his brother Paul, niece and nephews and many friends, during this difficult time.

Come join us with Eric’s family and friends to reflect on his many family, community, and professional contributions at the University Club (Fireside Lounge) at the University of Victoria from 1-3 pm on Saturday, October 18th.

http://publicadmin.uvic.ca/eclemens.htm