DR. BRIAN ROSS WOOD, PhD, PEng
December 29th, 1944 – February 5th, 2025
Brian Wood passed away at home in Moose Jaw, SK at the age of 80, on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025.
Brian was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. He was a lifetime Bombers and Canadian basketball fan. He was also a natural athlete – a football quarterback and provincial speed skating champion who also played basketball, baseball, judo, tennis, curling, ping-pong, hockey, skiing, golfing and slo-pitch.
Fiercely intelligent, Brian was a lifelong student and teacher. He attended Vincent Massey High School and then graduated from University of Manitoba with his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees of Science in Civil Engineering. He received his PhD at the University of Alberta. His Master’s thesis was about a reinforced concrete beam and his PhD thesis, which was written alongside his children doing their homework, was about tall steel frames. After the Red River flooded, Brian responded by designing a dam at his parent’s home which was situated along the river.
One of Brian’s first jobs took him to Seattle, Washington to work with, as he recalled, an airplane hangar full of other Engineers with drafting tables, to design the Boeing 747. Because he was a “professional student” and academic, he moved his family around the country a few times and secured his PEng status in each BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. While working on his thesis he taught at Camosun College in Victoria. He then became a Professor at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, ON, moving with his family of four kids. The next move was to Calgary, AB where he worked in the oil industry. His final job before retiring was teaching for nearly 30 years and becoming Program Head for CADD and Geomatics at SIAST, then STI, in Moose Jaw, where he developed several courses in his field.
Brian first and foremost was a father. Besides coaching his kids’ hockey and softball teams, he helped with their homework and happily shared his vast knowledge on many, many topics along with his sage advice. He also taught the fine art of leaving things to the last minute and still coming through with flying colours!
Brian prioritized taking his family on road trips in the red and white paneled van introducing his children to the joy of music, especially that of his most favourite, John Denver. While there are too many memories of road trips to recount, we can’t forget the biggest trip of all: the epic 5-week, 8-state adventure to Disneyland and back, stopping at countless tourist sites in-between.
Brian ensured his children were able to complete their post-secondary pursuits, across disciplines and far-apart locations; Wende in Pharmacy, English and Education, Heather in Interior Design, Glen in Filmmaking and Doug in Finance. His support was constant whether financially, or providing homework advice, and always just a phone call away.
This philosophy of support extended to his students. He always had an open-door policy at all times for his students, who often referred to him affectionately as “Doc”. Well respected, he advocated for his students, securing the best technology and equipment to help his students to excel.
Introduced by longtime friends, Brian and Ethel were together for nearly 30 years. Devoted partners in life, they enjoyed going to concerts, playing cards with friends, entertaining, reading mystery novel series and of course watching British mystery shows. They also traveled when they could, with highlights being trips to Bermuda, Hawaii and Italy. Brian was an exceptional cook, researching new recipes with which to wow his wife, friends and family.
Brian will be remembered for his signature smile and wide array of unique facial expressions and gesticulations, playful sense of humour and love of all things silly, strongly held beliefs and opinions, stubbornness and determination, intricate storytelling and his gift of caring and feeling deeply.
He once by pure chance got a license plate that ended in 007. When he was told he could pretend to be James Bond his response was, “I AM James Bond”. His words of advice would often end with, “to put it bluntly, sometimes you just gotta say what the [fill in the blank]!”
He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick Milford Wood and Sara Beatrice “Bea” (Ransby) Wood, and his and Ethel’s precious dog, Maggie. Brian is survived by his beloved wife and caregiver, Ethel Blackwell; his devoted children: Wende, Heather (Neil), Glen and Doug (Lynn); and his cherished granddaughter, Kate. Brian will be greatly missed by Ethel’s children: Ange (Bob), Dan (Kathryn), and Amy (Stephen); and grandchildren: Avery, Nate, Evelyn and Edmund. He will also be sorely missed by his close friends and coffee buddies, and the many students whose lives he touched.
Brian’s kids would like to thank Ethel for being his devoted spouse, companion and caregiver. We would also like to give a big thank you to his care team, especially his homecare nurses and aides. We are also grateful to all of Brian’s close friends who came by to see him and chat with him over these more recent difficult months.
One of Brian’s favourite songs was “Sailing to Philadelphia” by Mark Knopfler. It is about Charles Mason, an astronomer, and Jeremiah Dixon, a “Geordy Boy” surveyor from the same area of England that Brian’s family originates.
It was my fate from birth
To make my mark upon the earth
You did, daddy. You did.
Family and friends will gather at a later time to commemorate Brian’s wonderful impact. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Cara Ashworth, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
Dear Ethel – I am so to hear of Brian’s passing. I always liked Brian and found him very interesting to talk to during his visits to Avanti. My thoughts are with you and his family. His is a profound loss. Sincere condolences.
Wende, this is such a thoughtful and personal memory you and your brothers and sister have shared. Steven and I are so sorry for your family’s loss. We know your memories and recollections will help you navigate your grief. As Dr Seuss penned: don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Much love from us to you.
I remember his influence at SIAST(STI) while I was there. While most teachers were surly, he was always cheerful and encouraging.
You will have many good memories to process over the coming weeks. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Thank you so much, Deanna. This made me smile. I remember you, it’s been such a long time. I hope you’re well.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
To Brian’s dear family,
My sincere condolences to you all. Brian and I had coffee many times over the years. He was a beacon of information for me, many laughs, and his common sense approach to all kinds of topics resonated with me greatly. He will be missed. I am really sad to hear this news. Cherish all of your wonderful memories.
~ Dawn
Thanks Dawn for your kind Dad always appreciated your conversations, debates, and discussions. We loved sharing ideas and valued different perspectives. I’m grateful for your friendship with him.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I always thought of him with a smile on his face and this really captured that. My thoughts are with you.
Kerry. Such a beautiful remembrance of our dad. You’ve been such an important friend to many in the family.
Thanks for your kind words.
Our deepest sympathies to you Doug on the loss of your father.
A beautiful tribute to a lovely man. Our sincere condolences to our dear “Auntie Heather”, and to the entire family. He was so highly regarded by his loved ones and that is the sign of a life well lived
Thanks, Anna and all the Hutts. Humbled by your words as would dad be. Love you.
Sending my heartfelt condolences to Ethel and family(s)….it was a pleasure to have met both Brian and yourself, Ethel. I’m planning to come see you soon. I’ll be in touch.
Hugs to all of you as you grieve your loss of Brian….husband, father, stepfather.
Sincere Sympathy, Tracey (H/C)
Thanks, Tracy. You’ve been such a great support to Dad and Ethel over the years. Thank you.
My sincere condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace. (his former SIAST Colleague)
Thanks Mohammad. Grateful for the remembrance of Dad.
I was so sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. We had so many enjoyable years curling with the STI league . Thinking of you Ethel and all of the family. He will be missed..
I remember Dad playing in the curling league. He loved it very much. Thanks so much for reminding us of better times!
Such a special, and beautiful tribute. It was truly a pleasure working with Brian, at the then STI (SIAST) Geomatics and CADD Department. He was a colleague, a coffee buddy, and a close friend of so many years… He will be deeply missed. Please accept our most sincere condolences to your entire family for your loss.
Sincerely, Don & Sharon Williams
Moose Jaw, SK.
So sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. There are no words to ease the pain of your loss. I interacted with Brian during our STI/SIAST careers and I always had good visits with Brian whenever possible. My sincere condolences.