Kristin ROHR Obituary

Kristin was born in Pittsfield, MA of a history professor, Donald Gerard Rohr, and an artist, Joan Michener. Growing up in Providence, RI with her sister, Karen, she acquired a global perspective as her grandparents Roland and Norah Michener travelled the world as diplomats and most notably as Governor General of Canada (1967-1973).

She graduated with a BA in geology from Brown University in 1977 and earned a PhD in Marine Geophysics from the MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1983. She spent time in Texas learning marine multi-channel reflection techniques which were used extensively throughout her career. In Texas she also learned how to ride horses and motorcycles acquiring a feisty Texas Pinto and a Harley Davidson sportster. After a few years, she and her cousin Lisa Rohr Wood trailered the horse and motorcycle to British Columbia, where she began a position with the Geological Survey of Canada.

Driven by curiosity she studied the oceanic plates offshore B.C. and published numerous scientific articles about their geologic and tectonic evolution. Unwittingly she found herself a trailblazer as the first woman chief scientist on government (DFO and NOAA) and industry research vessels. A bit of an iconoclast she rarely accepted dogma but asked pertinent questions leading to greater insights. Recent work on Haida Gwaii and the tectonic triple junction has influenced several ongoing multi-institution investigations.

Fibre art was an enduring passion that led to delightful friendships and work shown in regional and international fine art shows. Inspired by nature and the Earth itself her work often portrayed maps in richly coloured hand-dyed silks.

Riding motorcycles introduced her to the love of her life, and husband of 37 years, Kenneth Wayne Jackman. He will forever treasure their time together.

She mostly lived some distance from family and especially cherished deep lifelong friendships. She often travelled to connect with family members. In addition to her husband Ken she is survived by her sister, Karen (Rohr) Blaker, nephew and niece Chris and Katie, cousin Lisa (Rohr) Wood and an abundance of cousins on both sides of the border.

Kristin touched many lives and will be forever missed.

Donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation ( bccancerfoundation.com )