We regret to advise of the death of Douglas Hayward Ketch on 1 November 2016 at the Oromocto Public Hospital. Born in Aroostock, NB, Doug graduated from the University of New Brunswick in Civil Engineering in 1949 and went to work for the Federal Government as a Surveyor for what became a 37-year Public Service career.
Doug first worked for eight years with the Topographical Survey of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys before joining the Army Survey Establishment (ASE) in 1956. He held one of the ASE positions for civilian engineers and served with the Department of National Defence until 1974. Doug was active in most aspects of mapping in the unit - even to the extent of participating in field parties. He surveyed in every province but Newfoundland and Doug was on the Ennadai Lake survey in Nunavut in 1959.
Doug was a graduate of the Senior Survey Officers Course with Mines and Technical Surveys in 1961 and he then headed and became a mainstay of the Computations and Data Section. He was a key player in the purchase of the IBM 1620 - the first computer in ASE. In the early 1960s. Doug became Officer in Charge of the Technical Administration Squadron in 1965 and 1971 was appointed Officer Commanding of Reproduction Division at (MCE).
Doug was one of the founders of the Army Survey Club (later becoming the Mappers Club) and was one of its first four councillors. He left MCE in 1974 but only ‘down the hall’ to Energy Mines and Resources and he remained in almost daily contact with the unit - both technically and socially.
There will be no visitation. A Celebration of Doug's life will be held at a later date for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Doug to the charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences may be offered through York and Miramichi Valley Funeral Homes.{khNov2016}
