Walter Koerner
Encyclopedia
Walter Charles Koerner, CC
, OBC
(July 21, 1898 – July 21, 1995) was a Canadian
businessman and philanthropist.
Born in Nový Hrozenkov, Moravia
, he emigrated to Canada in 1938 after serving in World War I
. His family had been involved in the forest industry and continued the tradition in Canada founding the Alaska Pine and Cellulose company. After the company was sold to Rayonier Canada in 1954, Koerner became the president and chairman and retired in 1972.
Koerner had a long association with the University of British Columbia
including helping the University library, chairing the Board of Governors from 1968 to 1972, and donating his European ceramic art collection to the University in 1987 or 1988. His collection now occupies a small wing of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC
. The Walter C. Koerner Library, opened in 1997, is named in his honour. Dr. Walter Koerner was also the serving chairman of the UBC Health Services Centre from 1971 to 1980.
In 1967, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada
. In 1990, he was awarded the Order of British Columbia
. Walter Koerner died on his 97th birthday in 1995.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, OBC
Order of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
(July 21, 1898 – July 21, 1995) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman and philanthropist.
Born in Nový Hrozenkov, Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, he emigrated to Canada in 1938 after serving in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. His family had been involved in the forest industry and continued the tradition in Canada founding the Alaska Pine and Cellulose company. After the company was sold to Rayonier Canada in 1954, Koerner became the president and chairman and retired in 1972.
Koerner had a long association with the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
including helping the University library, chairing the Board of Governors from 1968 to 1972, and donating his European ceramic art collection to the University in 1987 or 1988. His collection now occupies a small wing of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is renowned for its displays of world arts and cultures, in particular works by First Nations peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations...
. The Walter C. Koerner Library, opened in 1997, is named in his honour. Dr. Walter Koerner was also the serving chairman of the UBC Health Services Centre from 1971 to 1980.
In 1967, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. In 1990, he was awarded the Order of British Columbia
Order of British Columbia
The Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
. Walter Koerner died on his 97th birthday in 1995.