We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Art in Duncan, BC on Christmas Eve, 2015. Art was born on the family farm near Speers, Saskatchewan; the youngest child of Fred and Julia (Kahlis) Strautman. He attended a rural school to Grade 10 and completed his last two years of high school in Lloydminster. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1948 with a BSA in Agricultural Engineering.
Following graduation, Art served as an Instructor in the
U of S Agricultural Engineering Lab, then worked for 2 years as Service Supervisor for Minneapolis-Moline of Canada in Calgary. In 1951, he began a three-year contract as an Agricultural Engineer for the Ministry of Agriculture, government of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, in Khartoum.
In 1952, Art married Phyllis James of Woodrow, SK in Vancouver and returned to Sudan. While based there, they traveled through Africa, Europe and Scandinavia, including viewing the Coronation Parade in London, from Sudan Government seats overlooking Hyde Park.
Art and Phyllis returned to Canada in 1954 with infant daughter, Shirley; living briefly in High River while Art worked for Allis-Chalmers Rumely Ltd. Art then joined Imperial Oil and worked in Edmonton until his retirement in 1982. In 1991, after 36 years in Edmonton, Art and Phyllis relocated to Duncan.
Over the years, Art and Phyllis traveled extensively in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, back to Africa, Brazil, Mexico, the Maritimes and cruised Alaska and the Caribbean. Art was active in Golden Age 10 Pin bowling, was a member of Mt. Brenton golf course and played old-timers hockey until his early 80’s with the Parksville Panters. He greatly enjoyed word puzzles, particularly the cryptic crossword and reading history, biographies and multiple daily newspapers.
Art was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Phyllis, on December 22, 2012, and by his brothers, Fred and Chuck. He is survived by his children Shirley (Ken), Janice (Bill), Julie, Richard (Chyleene) and Chuck (Marjorie) and his grandsons, Matt, Andy and Nolan. He will also be greatly missed by many other family members and friends.
The family extends many thanks to the staff of Sherwood House and to Art’s special caregivers, Sabine, Kelly and Michelle for keeping Art comfortable over the past 8 years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 1:30pm, Chemainus United Church Hall, 9814 Willow St., Chemainus, BC. Condolences may be shared online at www.sandsduncan.ca.