Glenn Ross Yungblut

Glenn Yungblut passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 16th at the age of 93 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Jean Yungblut (nee McLennan); children, John Yungblut and Jennifer (Chris) Shaw; nine grandchildren, Jackie Yungblut and Joseph Nafziger, Dylan and Vanessa Yungblut (nee Rae), Alex Riley, Brittany Riley-Yungblut, Jade Yungblut and Sydney (nee Mytrunic), Lauren Lapointe-Shaw and Lucas Chartier, Raye Mckinnon, Sigourney Shaw and Gerry Churchill, Pelly Shaw and fifteen great-grandchildren ages 16 to 1-1/2 years - Jordyn, Ashton, Lily, Jacob, Arya, Jet, Eloise, Florence, Carter, Mia, Theo, Finley, Scarlet, Lelya, and Marsali; and his brother, Bob (Moira) Yungblut. He was predeceased by his brother, Don; and his wife, Margaret.

After graduating from Queen’s University in 1954 with an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, Glenn accepted a position with Shell Canada in Calgary. Starting as a drilling engineer in the geologically complex foothills he subsequently was involved in developing and testing equipment for Gulf of Mexico deep water drilling operations and ultimately in managing drilling operations on floating drilling platforms off of both the west and east coasts of Canada.

In 1971 Glenn transitioned to a government role being responsible for developing drilling and production regulations for offshore production and regulatory oversight for drilling operations in the Canadian northern territories as well as arctic and east coast offshore areas.

In 1980 he became a founding partner of EPI Resources providing drilling and production consulting services to companies operating in the Canadian arctic and east coast offshore areas inclusive of the Venture gas field and Hibernia oil field.

From 1989 to 1996 Glenn returned to regulatory operations including working on a joint Canada US task force focusing on pipeline security and safety. He retired from the NEB in 1996. From 1996 through to 2005 he was Chairman of the Canada Nova Scotia Offshore petroleum Board.

Concluding 54 years in the oil and gas industry Glenn served as the Canadian representative on a Canada US task force focusing on pipeline security and safety from 2005 to 2007.

On December 16, 1961, Glenn married Jean Yungblut whom he had met while she was working as a Secretary at Shell Canada before taking a position with the Nickel Daily Oil Bulletin, a key publication for industry news. Their marriage may not have been possible if Jean had remained with Shell, as most industry companies discouraged romantic relationships among employees.

Jean has been Glenn’s partner throughout his many assignments and changing work locations, together having established homes in Calgary, Houston, Victoria, Halifax, Ottawa and finally back in Calgary.

Glenn’s calm, kind, caring demeanor permeated everything he undertook. He was known in the family as the baby whisperer and was popular with all the children in his life.

He loved to ski in Banff and did so well into his 80s. He loved a good game of pickleball or squash or a golf game as long as there were friends to golf with and a beer and peanuts waiting at the end.

He was happiest on his bike on Ottawa’s many bike paths, in Calgary’s Fish Creek Park or just about anywhere else in the world with a bike path to be explored and he explored many! Some of his first bicycling trips to Europe were with Jim Eickmeier, who has been a close friend for 65 years. Glenn biked across Canada with longtime neighbour and biking buddy Michael Romano and in many countries in Europe with a bigger crew including brother Bob, Michael, Ed Chillak and occasionally accompanied by Jean, Moira, Jennifer and Chris.

He spent many years volunteering at Red Pine Camp starting on the Operating Committee in the 1970s and ending as Chairman of the Board of Directors in the 1990s when his position with the National Energy Board took him to Calgary. At camp he could be found playing paddle tennis, leading a team in the water regatta, sailing or reading a book on the bluff overlooking Golden Lake.

Thank you to the many care workers who helped care for him at home and at the Foothills Hospital in the last few months. Donations can be made in Glenn’s memory to the Prostate Cancer Centre at Rockyview General Hospital.

Private commemorative services have not as yet been scheduled.