We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Donald “Don” Livingstone (Ret’d) in Lethbridge, AB on 9 March 2001 at the age of 84.
Don was born in Lethbridge the son of pioneers of the city. He was a WW II veteran who served four and half years with the Royal Canadian Engineers overseas in the 4th Canadian Armoured Division. He worked with the forward elements of the Division, passing back engineer information and ensuring that engineer parties received all necessary equipment and stores. Much of his work was carried out under enemy fire. He was twice decorated by the Belgian Government and made a Knight of the Order of Leopold II receiving the Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Order of Leopold with Palm. After the war, Don served 16 years in the Reserves with the Royal Canadian Engineers, from 1946 to 1955 as Commanding Officer of 33rd Field Park Squadron/33rd Field Squadron in Lethbridge. He then commanded 8th Field Engineer Regiment in Edmonton from 1955 to 1960.
Don graduated from the University of Alberta in Edmonton with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering, specializing in Coal. His first job was working underground in the famed Galt #8 coal mine in Lethbridge so he could learn every job. He then became the Site Engineer, eventually the Manager, before becoming the General Manager of Lethbridge Collieries for whom he worked 34 years. Following this, he was Coal Consultant for the Canadian Pacific Railways and was one of a five-member team who explored and established the Fording Coal Enterprise at Elkford, BC. He later was Coal Consultant for Cambrian Engineering of Calgary.
Don belonged to many professional mining and engineering societies including being a member of the Council of the Professional Engineers of Alberta; a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy; a member and President of the Coal Association of Canada; and a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers.
Don was also very active in community service; a member of the Rotary Club; member and Chairman of the Lethbridge Public School Board; and Finance Chairman of the Lethbridge Community College Board. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities, including Elders Quorum President, Bishop of Lethbridge 2nd Ward, Counsellor in the Lethbridge Staker Presidency, Mission President of the London England South Mission, and Director of Public Communications for the Church in Southern Alberta Canada. He was owner and operator of the Bridge Valley Par-3 Golf Course and Driving Range.
Visitation will take place on 15 March at the Christensen Salmon Funeral Home, 327-10 Street South, Lethbridge from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. A funeral service will take place on 16 March at the Lethbridge Stake Chapel, 2410-28 Street South. Burial will take place at a private family service at Mountain View Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Family History Genealogical Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, 1912-10 Avenue South Lethbridge or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta. A tree will be planted in Don’s memory in the Lethbridge area. {gdJan2017dc} [zsp]
