Mineral Exploration is the official publication of the Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/428696
In Memoriam: Bob Cathro By the Cathro family R obert John Cathro, an AME BC life member and past president of AME BC, was born in Dauphin, Manitoba, on April 30, 1935, and died at home in Chemainus, British Columbia, on August 26, 2014, surrounded by his lov- ing family. He was a proud, independent person and was known for his honesty, community service and his great sense of humour. A friend and mentor to many people, he will be greatly missed. He leaves behind his wife Pat (née Scott), their three sons Mike (Suzi Tevendale), John (Kare) and Gary (Jessie Pratt), and five grandchildren, Claire, Callum, Zack, Reed and Fynn. Bob met the love of his life when he showed up in the emergency room of the hospital in the mining camp at Port Radium, N.W.T. The nurse on duty rushed to assist and, after a quick exami- nation, said, "This is only a pinprick, it doesn't even need a Band-Aid." Bob said, "Yes, but it's the only way I could think of to meet the new nurse!" The two were married on April 29, 1961, and spent 53 happy years together. A lt hough raised in W in n ipeg, Manitoba, and Chilliwack, B.C., much of Bob's identity was defined through his career in northwestern Canada. After graduating from UBC in 1959 with a degree in geological engineering, Bob worked in mines in Port Radium, N.W.T.; Uranium City, Saskatchewan; and Yellowknife and Keno Hill, Yukon. In 1966, he and partner Al Archer struck out on their own, founding the consulting firm Archer, Cathro and Associates Ltd. The firm has special- ized in Yukon mining exploration since then, and remains one of the top Yukon explorers after nearly 50 years. Bob was a partner in "AC" until his retire- ment in 1989, during which time the firm made several notable discoveries or advancements of important Yukon mineral deposits. These include Casino (copper-gold-molybdenum), Wolverine and Marg (copper-lead-zinc-siver- gold), Mactung (tungsten), Carmacks Copper (copper-gold) and Wellgreen (nickel-copper-platinum). Bob was an important mentor for hundreds of young geologists, "dirt- baggers," prospectors, bush pilots and engineers who discovered and shared his love of the wilderness, remote camps and hard, dirty work that builds character. Over his career, Bob received several awards including the A.O. Dufresne Exploration Achievement Award in 1991 from the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ( CIM) for his "outstanding contribu- tion to mineral exploration in B.C. and Yukon, and for his commitment to the North." In 1999, Bob and Al Archer were co-winners of the H.H. "Spud" Huestis Award for excellence in prospecting and mineral exploration, presented by the B.C. & Yukon Chamber of Mines (now AME BC). In 2003, the Geological Association of Canada presented him with a Distinguished Service Award. Bob always believed strongly in giving back to his industry. He served as vice- president (1978–81), president (1982–83) and past president (1984–85) of the B.C. & Yukon Chamber of Mines. In 1984, Bob, along with Jack Patterson and Nick Carter, helped bring together the mineral exploration industry and the federal and provincial geological surveys to establish the first Cordilleran Roundup confer- ence. This convention, known today as Mineral Exploration Roundup, is now recognized globally as one of the lead- ing technical events for mineral explora- tion, attracting thousands of delegates to Vancouver every January. Over his career, Bob participated as chair, co-chair or member on numerous committees and task forces, providing advice on programs, policy and research activities on behalf of the Canadian Geoscience Council, the Geological 108 W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Photograph : Cour te sy the Cathro family