February 19, 1930 - May 25, 2007
Now soaring with his beloved Eagles.
Dad was born the youngest of eight children to George and Lily May Harvey in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His family moved to Vancouver to "populate the west" when Dad was five. He used to ride his bike past the farms on South Granville Street to fish on the Fraser River. His life long love of the environment started there. Dad began his working life as a butcher at Woodwards in Vancouver. An avid fisherman and outdoorsman, he thought nothing of driving to Penticton on Saturday night and returning to work on Monday morning. Dad's love of the out doors led him to a career with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. After spending time on the Nass and Nimpkish Rivers, he worked his way up to become the first manager of the Big Qualicum River Salmonid Enhancement Project. Later he oversaw the start up of the Eagle River Hatchery near Malakwa. It was during his time at the Nimpkish that he met Kathleen Leyland on a blind date in Alert Bay. Two years later this English nurse would be his bride. Two daughters followed shortly afterwards. He was a "hands-on" Dad long before it became standard behaviour. His other love was the natrual world he lived in. He began a second career as a wildlife cinematographer. He made several educational 16 mm flims including the award winning "Living River". He also supplied stock footage to nature television and film programs from around the world including CBC's Nature of Things, BBC's Nature, the Discovery Channel and the National Film Board. He enjoyed spending a year traveling the province filming on behalf of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
After retirement his photography career continued. He switched from 16mm to digital cameras and concentrated on eagles, black bears and grizzly bears. His family expanded to include three beloved granchildren of who he was doting "Poppa" to. Dick is survived by his loving wife Kathleen, daughter Jane Harvey of Victoria, daughter Pauline Rankin, son-in-law Andrew Rankin and grandchildren Chloe, Hailey and Avery Rankin all of Courtenay. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Armstrong of Kamloops, many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends throughout the world. It seemed fitting that Dad died at home just around the corner from the Lorne Hotel where as newlyweds he and Mom would have a 10 cent beer on a night off from working on the Tsolum River. No service by request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's name to Comox Valley Hospice Society (P.O. Box 3193, Courtenay, BC V9N 5N4). Special thanks to Dr. Edward Howard, Dr. William Tinmouth and the nurses and caregivers from Home & Community Care. Memories and condolence messages for the family can be emailed to prankin@shaw.ca.
To the grandchildren,
"think of me as an echo
Whispering softly down the ways
Of happy times and laughing times
And bright and sunny days"