Stephen Bjarnason

1960 ~ 2022

Stephen George Bjarnason passed away unexpectedly in Medicine Hat on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at the age of 62 years.

A life cut short but packed with lots of adventure nonetheless. He was born in Calgary, happy and hungry to proud parents, George and Anne Bjarnason (nee Sorensen). He joined his older sister Christine, followed by Susan and Donna. Early life was filled with trips to see Sorenson kin in southeastern BC and the Bjarnason homestead near Innisfail, Alberta. His parents purchased a pet and garden supply store (Fairplay Stores) when Stephen was 12. That ended his budding career as an ankle-bender hockey star once he realized he could earn a bit of money helping at the store. Stephen packed in a lot of shenanigans with close mates in his youth whether it was dropping water balloons off parkades in downtown Calgary or backpacking through Europe at age 18. Unlike many of us, he never worried about fitting in or being part of the “cool kids”. He became a licensed amateur radio operator in his teens and loved going birding in the early mornings during his university days. Restoring old cars (he was a proud member of the Chevy 5 6 7 club), spending weekends backcountry camping and skiing in his beloved Rocky Mountains, even enjoying an occasional slice of pizza and pint of beer was how he de-stressed from the rigours of academic life.

Stephen obtained a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology at the University of Calgary in 1983, followed by a Master of Science in Toxicology from University of Saskatchewan in 1989. His 33 year career as a research scientist and manager for the Government of Canada began in Ottawa at Health Canada and ended as Director of Suffield Research Centre, DRDC (formerly DRES). One of his proudest accomplishments during his time at Suffield was to ensure his office was known as the Centre Director’s Office (CDO) as opposed to it’s previous name— Office of the Centre Director (OCD).

It was when they were both in university in Saskatoon that Stephen met his future wife, Della Kirkham. He wasn’t thrown off by her orange spiked hair or bent humour sealing their fates as perfect mates. They married in her hometown of Saltcoats, Saskatchewan in May 1991 and shared a wonderful 31 year marriage forged in much love and laughter. Along the way they were joined by sons Jack (2001) and Sam (2004). Watching his sons grow into the fine young men they are now was Stephen’s greatest joy. No Dad assignment was too big or small whether it was taking them for their little boy haircuts, homework tutoring, or helping Jack shop for a car. They will forever miss his Dad jokes and pray they inherited his facial hair genes.

Always the first to acknowledge he was a lucky man, Stephen lived in gratitude and humility. He loved his job and the people he worked with. He had solid relationships with family and friends. While he has left much unfinished, he lived a life full of adventure, laughter, and most of all love.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Della Kirkham; sons, Jack and Sam; sisters, Christine Nurse (Don Lee), Susan Stiles (Colin), Donna Garner (Paul Sullivan); the extended Bjarnason, Sorensen, and Kirkham clans as well as many dear friends and colleagues. They will all cherish his memory and try to live up to his example as they struggle to find their way without his love and guidance.

Stephen would have loved to leave this earth floating down the river on a funeral pyre but apparently Viking funerals are no longer in vogue. Instead we will gather to celebrate his life at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, 476 – 4 Street S.E., Medicine Hat on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.with the Reverend David Pollard officiating. The family invites you to share a time of fellowship and fun stories in the church hall immediately following the service. After all, Stephen never missed the opportunity to pass up a good sandwich.

In lieu of flowers, Stephen would want you to donate to one of the charities that reflects his passions and compassion:

Doctors without Borders (551 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 0N8 or online at https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/); CKUA Radio (Calgary Foundation Studio at the National Music Centre, 851 4 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta T2G 1P2 or online at https://ckua.com/); Praxis Science Outreach Society (#12-826 11th Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1T7 or online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/49043?v1=true)

The service will be lives-streamed. Anyone wishing to experience the Celebration of Stephen’s life may visit www.cooksouthland.com and select the View Broadcast button on the home page at service time.

(Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, Medicine Hat, Alberta. Telephone: 403-527-6455.

• Date : 2022-12-13
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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