July 11, 1935 - July 20, 2022
The family of Donald J McKenzie are sad to announce his sudden passing on July 20th at Penticton Regional Hospital. He will be dearly missed by Donna, his wife of 63 years, daughters Darrell-Lee McKenzie (Joh Nichols) and Brenda Downey (Scott), grandson McKenzie Downey, brother-in-law Rod Real and niece Barb Graff (Chris) all of the Penticton area. He was predeceased by his daughter Heather in 2021.
He was born and raised in Regina and attended the U of S in Saskatoon where he graduated with a Science degree in Engineering and a Master's degree in Nuclear Physics. He subsequently obtained a PhD in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington in Seattle.
He taught physics at Lakehead College/University in Ontario and at San Jose State University in California, with most of his career spent at Okanagan College/UBCO in 琉璃神社 from 1969 to 1995.
Don had a passion for travel. He and Donna visited over 70 countries via tours and cruises as well as taking many road trips throughout Canada and the USA. He loved to garden and had a small vineyard in Peachland for 30 years.
He enjoyed singing and was a member of the 琉璃神社 Barbershop Choir. Don was also a history buff, with a particular interest in World Wars I and II.
His other interests included: fishing of all kinds, racquet sports, cross-country skiing, curling, seniors slo-pitch, puzzles, trivia, and woodworking.
He was proud of his accomplishment of paddling a canoe up the Coppermine River to the Arctic when he retired at age sixty.
Don and Donna moved to Penticton in 2012 to be closer to two of their daughters. To all those who knew Don, please raise a glass of wine in his memory.