Remembering Todd French

Announcement Research
November 28, 2022
Todd French

Dear GEES colleagues, friends & students

I am writing to follow-up on this terrible news of the death of our friend and colleague Todd French. I send deep condolences to all of you who knew Todd, worked with him, chatted with him, and benefited from his love of the world around us.

Our colleagues Ellen Petticrew and Phil Owens worked closely with Todd at the Quesnel River Research Centre (QRRC) and have collaborated with the University and Todd’s family to develop this announcement via UNBC Communications (below) and the establishment of a student scholarship in Todd’s name. UNBC President Geoff Payne expressed condolences and lowered the flags at the UNBC campus to half-mast in Todd’s honour today.

A celebration of life is being planned by Todd’s family to take place here at UNBC in mid-December – we will share the details as we learn about them.

I also encourage you to consider a donation (my motto: give what you can, if you can) to the new scholarship for a student in aquatic science at the link included below.

I hope you will be inspired to reach out to those who knew Todd and think about him as you head off onto a forest trail or paddle on a local lake or river.

Rest in peace, Todd.

Catherine Nolin, Chair
Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences

Photo of Todd by Phil Owens at the headwaters of Quesnel Lake

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UNBC Communications:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and colleague, Todd French, on November 21, 2022. The flags on have been lowered to half-mast in his honour.

Todd was born and raised in Prince George and had a large extended family locally and a wide range of friends and colleagues. He was an aquatic scientist with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria, a Master of Science from the University of Alberta and he had worked towards an almost-completed PhD at Queen’s University. His association with UNBC included his role between 2015 and 2021 as a full-time research associate on the impacts of the Mt. Polley mine spill. Before his research associate position, Todd had done sessional teaching at UNBC and collaborated with faculty on northern B.C. lake projects, including management issues on Tabor Lake.

Since leaving UNBC, Todd worked in Prince George with Environmental Dynamics Inc. (EDI) where he was doing many interesting projects, including training of local First Nations with water sampling techniques. He excelled at field work, proposal writing, data analysis and graphic presentation. Todd was an avid swimmer and hiker, enjoying spending time in the pool and outdoors.

His generosity of spirit, his physical strength in the field and his scientific curiosity were just a few of the traits that made him a superb colleague. With his buoyant attitude he made friends with all those around him and will be remembered and missed by many.

A celebration of his life will be taking place in the near future. An aquatic science student scholarship in Todd’s name (Todd French Memorial Award) has been established at UNBC. To donate, please visit our Giving website and use the “Give to” menu and select “Todd French Memorial Award.”