	Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
	Canada's premier coastal and marine facility for teaching and research

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Remembering Dr. Andrew N. Spencer

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On Sunday June 20th, 2010 Andrew Spencer passed away at home surrounded by his wife, Barb and all his children after a stoic battle with cancer.

Andy was born on February 13, 1945 in England. He lived in with his parents Thomas and Ruth and sisters, Katherine and Joanna until the age of 22. At which time he immigrated to Canada with his first wife Rita. There he raised three children; Nicola, Michelle and Jimmy.

Andy’s career as a zoologist was based at the University of Alberta, but his love for research and knowledge was far-reaching. As important to Andy, as the research were the relationships built with other scientists as well as students. A large part of his academic successes and personal friendships developed from his time at the Bamfield Marine Science Centre over the last 30 years. Andy became the director at BMSC in 1993 and stayed on for 11 years with his wife, Barbara and daughter, Sarah. After leaving Bamfield; Barb, Andy and Sarah moved to Parksville, B.C. where he continued to build community and pursue his love of science at Vancouver Island University. Throughout his life, Andy treasured time with family and friends and had diverse interests including fine food, cars, sports, music and outdoor pursuits.

Andy is predeceased by his father, Thomas, survived by his mother, Ruth and sisters; Joanna (Stuart) and Katherine (Alan). His wife Barb and Andy’s children; Nicola (Bruce), Michelle (Michael), Jimmy and Sarah as well as loving grandchildren; Emily, Meg, Sam and Lucy. And numerous nieces, nephews in the United Kingdom and other extended family.

A celebration of Andy’s life will take on Sunday, June 27th at 2:30pm at the Nanaimo Yacht Club 400 Newcastle Avenue, Nanaimo (750 754 7011).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oceanside Hospice Society at 210 Crescent Road West, Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K- 1J9.

The family is collecting a series of anecdotes and stories about Andy and encourage you to send them to , who will forward them to the family.

Dr. Louis Druehl writes:

"From the early years until present Andy Spencer has woven himself into the fabric of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.

As a young scientist he spent long summer hours in the lab and on the beach. His children frolicking about and his big old black lab retrieving unwanted starfish.

For several years he participated on various committees concerned with the Station. As Director he was responsible for initiating several major improvements, including the hydro-dynamic lab and the foreshore physiology lab. Throughout, he introduced students, post-doctoral fellows, and research associates to the Station and the community of Bamfield. Recently he was a major sponsor of Music-By-The-Sea.

Andy was a doctoral student of George Mackie, University of Victoria, and might have been indoctrinated with some of his professor's eccentricities - George was often seen walking down the Bamfield boardwalk, a cello over his shoulder. As a young professor at the University of Alberta, he gave Don Ross's pioneering observations on invertebrate behaviour neurological explanation. (Don Ross and Bill Hoar, University of British Columbia instigated the Bamfield Marine Station.) Andy was a competitive person, driven to achieve in all venues. This certainly added to his successes in marine science and as an administrator. I had the dubious pleasure of playing tennis with him, a match I'll never forget. I'm not very good.

My heart-felt condolences to his wife Barbara, his daughters Nicola, Michelle and Sarah, and his son, Jim."

Louis Druehl, Bamfield

Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
100 Pachena Rd, Bamfield, BC
Canada, V0R 1B0
Phone: (250) 728-3301
Fax: (250) 728-3452