By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: March 14, 2014
The Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists (APEG) have started a bursary in honour of the late Squamish geologist Frank Baumann.
“It’s a great way to recognize Frank’s contributions to his profession and his community.” SFU professor John Clague
Baumann died on Nov. 1, 2013, after being injured in a car accident in Pemberton. The Frank Baumann bursary, an award of $2,000, will be given to a deserving BC engineering or geology student.
The call for applications for the first scholarship award will be made soon, said John Clague, a long-time friend of Frank Bauman, and a professor at Simon Fraser University.
Clague said the target is to raise $50,000 for an ongoing bursary for deserving students. As much as $35,000 has been raised.
Clague said there have been major contributions from people who knew and admired Frank Baumann.
Catherine Hickson, Dick Benoit, Pierre Friele, Aztec Geoscience Inc., Matthias Jakob, John Morgan, Mark Coolbaugh, Hardy, Bartle have contributed to the bursary.
Clague said Frank served his profession with selfless dedication and was vocal and responsive about issues of public safety.
Baumann was the first to highlight the issue of debris flow hazard at Whistler. He also alerted the public and government to safety issues related to development of Cheekeye Fan, he added.
Baumann was also a noted avalanche hazard assessment expert, an accomplished mountaineer, a Whistler volunteer ski patrol. He also served as the chair of the board for Kawkawa, a Christian youth camp in Hope.
“We welcome contributions from Squamish residents. It’s a great way to recognize Frank’s contributions to his profession and his community,” Clague said.
Donations are tax-deductable; donors will be issued a receipt by the APEG Foundation. The foundation will also administer the bursary. Cheques should be sent to:
APEG Foundation
200-4010 Regent Street
Burnaby BC V5C 6N2
