Our long-serving president Pieter Ulrich Rutgers passed away due to cancer on April 14, 2023, in hospital in Comox, B.C. He will be sorely missed by us all. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Kate, and Piet and Kate’s three sons and their partners. We are so thankful for Piet’s time with our organization, and for the exceptional conservation legacy that he helped us to achieve. During his tenure, the lands that the CVLT protects in perpetuity increased from approximately 100 to 600 hectares.
Piet was born in Arnhem, Netherlands in 1949 to Ulrich and Greta. As a teenager he met a young Scottish lass, Kate, who was backpacking around the Netherlands, and became the love of his life to the end. After graduating in urban planning from the University of Newcastle, Piet and Kate moved to Ottawa in 1973 and were married in 1974. They moved west to Vancouver where Piet did a master’s in planning at UBC. He joined the Planning Department of the Vancouver Parks Board and was involved in many Parks’ projects including the Olympic facilities, retiring in 2010 as Director of Planning and Operations. At home Andrew, Gordon and Iain were born, and Piet was an active father involved in sailing, soccer, and scouting. After retiring, Piet and Kate moved to Courtenay, and he was active in the community. As president of the Comox Valley Land Trust, he helped secure the funding for the 280 hectare Morrison Creek acquisition shortly before his passing. He was also a passionate woodworker specializing in craftsman furniture.
In place of flowers, donations to the Comox Valley Land Trust, BC Cancer Foundation or the BC Parks Foundation are appreciated.