Obituary
Erik Bodtker passed away peacefully in his Penticton BC home on November 4th, 2022 in the loving company of his wife Bonnie, his brother Nils, and his children Kirsten and Stewart. He is predeceased by his brothers Jack and Norman. He is survived by his brother Nils of Calgary, his wife Bonnie, his daughter Kirsten (Alejandro Laignel-Lavastine) of Calgary, his son Stewart (Laura) of Calgary, and his grandchildren Stefan, Elyse, Marco, Erika and Luke.
Erik’s life began in Dolbeau, Quebec in 1942. Son of Jacob Bodtker a Norwegian engineer and Helga Lundstedt, his Swedish bride, Erik spent his school years in Baie Comeau hiking and skiing in the wilds, playing hockey and fishing. This set the stage for his love for the outdoors.
He graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1966 with a degree in mechanical engineering and began his career with MacMillan Bloedel in Powell River, BC. Following a decade with BC Hydro Gas Division in Vancouver, he opted for a more flexible professional experience as a pipeline construction engineer that took him to the Arctic, Quebec, Turkey, Libya, Bangladesh, and the Middle East. He had a genuine fascination with the mosaic of languages, cultures and people he met wherever he worked.
In 1971 he and a friend purchased a property near Midway BC known as Norwegian Creek Ranch where he and a tight circle of city-folk friends, with naive enthusiasm, learned all they could about farming, according to Harrowsmith. Nature was his solace. The legendary “Great Train Ride” from Midway to Castlegar during the final days of the nearby Kettle Valley Railway and fishing trips to the Arctic with his son and a friend were only some of his wild adventures.
In the late 60s he met and married his beloved “Bon” and together they raised their treasures, Sis and Stew in beautiful British Columbia. He was passionate in support of their sports and educational endeavours and spent many hours in school gyms and hockey arenas. Their independence and self realization were his top priority.
Erik will be remembered for his authentic personality and wicked wit. Both could be on display at any time of the day or night. With his sharp intellect he blazed a unique trail wherever he happened to be. Erik spent his final decade holding court on the deck in the shade of the old willow tree beside Skaha Lake dangling a glass of Okanagan “white”.
“…….signed and sealed to Nature. Be it so.” – Robert Service
If you care to make a donation in Erik’s name, please consider the Penticton Community Soupateria,
or any Canadian charity for the needy
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Erik Lundstedt Bodtker 1942 2022 (age 80)..
Death notice for the town of: Penticton, Province: Colombie britanique