It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Dr. Donald Rix (1931-2009), a founding member of the Advanced Applied Physics Solutions (AAPS Inc.) Board of Directors and long-time friend of TRIUMF. Dr. Rix passed away on Friday, November 6 at the age of 78 following a long illness.
Dr. Rix was regarded as a man of many talents. In the wake of his death there has been an outpouring of heartfelt acknowledgements of his legacy as a doctor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist and of his special gift as a leader and mentor to many. A champion for the British Columbia technology community, Dr. Rix was perhaps known best for his pivotal role in the growth of LifeLabs Diagnostics Inc., Cantest Ltd., and Genome B.C. along with his long list of leadership positions within various associations - which included the Premier's Technology Council, B.C. Innovation Council, Vancouver Board of Trade, B.C. Cancer Foundation, and B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation, to name just a few. Dr. Rix was inducted into the Business Laureates of B.C. Hall of Fame in 2006 and received the Order of British Columbia in 2004 and the Order of Canada in 2008.
Although he may be known best for his extraordinary achievements, philanthropic endeavours, and esteemed positions within the B.C. technology community, Dr. Rix also made a significant impact on our own TRIUMF community, and particularly within the AAPS start-up company, a national designated Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research. "AAPS was very grateful when Dr. Rix agreed to serve as a founding member of our Board of Directors," commented Edward Odishaw, Chairman of the Board of Directors for AAPS. "He brought a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to the table which AAPS, as a start-up company, greatly benefited from. You could count on Don to contribute enthusiastically at every meeting; he asked the tough but necessary questions and always provided sound and heartfelt advice." Dr. Rix also served on the AAPS Audit Committee and the AAPS Scientific Advisory Committee.
Dr. Rix was known to say, "If you do something for yourself - like go fishing - you enjoy it for a day; if you do something for the community, it lasts forever."1 His vision, generosity, and leadership have certainly made a lasting impact on this community and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
A public celebration of his life will be held this evening (November 18) at the Hotel Vancouver, Pacific Ballroom from 4-6pm.
-- Meghan Magee, Communications Assistant
Thumbnail Photo: http://www.businesslaureatesbc.org