In memory of Dr. Johan Dormaar

Dr. Johan Dormaar, B.S.A., PhD., received an Honourary Doctorate of Science from the University of Lethbridge in 1991. In 2011, when he passed away, Judi Dormaar and her brothers established a Scholarship in his name for the University of Lethbridge Geography department.

From Dr. Dormaar’s obituary:

“Johan was born in a military hospital in Indonesia on February 16, 1930 under German occupation in the Netherlands. He came to Canada in 1953 and to Lethbridge in 1962 where he lived the rest of his life. His career was spent at the Agriculture Canada Research Centre. As well, he was involved with the Archaeological societies of Lethbridge and Alberta, the Historical Society of Lethbridge, the Chinook Outdoor Club, Alpine Club of Canada, Glacier Mountaineering Society, Scouts Canada, the Lethbridge Science Fair and the Alberta Wildflower Survey. He had deep pedological, geological and historical interest in the landscape of Southern Alberta with all its varieties from prairie to rivers, canyons, ridges and mountains. With this background he was able to assist the Geoarchaeology and Geomorphology field courses at the University of Lethbridge. Johan volunteered and spoke to many organizations and groups throughout the years. When asked why he worked and volunteered so tirelessly in his retirement, Johan would state that when you retire, you get to spend your time doing all the things you love to do. "