Obituary of David William Betts

March 9, 1936 – Millerton, New Brunswick

March 26, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

David William Betts, beloved husband of the late Wendy Frances Betts, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the age of 88 years. Dave was born on March 9, 1936, to LeRoi and Audrey Betts of Millerton, NB. He attended Derby Superior School in Millerton and was awarded a Beaverbrook scholarship to the University of New Brunswick. He graduated from UNB in 1959 with a BSc.Eng EE.

In 1966, Dave married Wendy Frances Tidmarsh at the Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal. They moved to London where Dave completed his MBA at the University of Western Ontario. Dave and Wendy’s children Donna and Gordon were born in Toronto and in 1978 the family relocated to Calgary. Over the course of his long career, Dave worked as an electrical engineer, a corporate financial consultant, and as a member of the Alberta Securities Commission. He also served on the Audit and Finance Committee of the PPCLI Foundation.

Dave’s passions included hockey, golf, and his Labrador Retrievers. He, along with Wendy, were ardent advocates of higher education. To that end, in 2009 they established the Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship at the University of New Brunswick to support students pursuing engineering, science and computer science degrees. In 2014, Dave and Wendy were bestowed honorary Doctor of Letters degrees by the University.

Dave is fondly remembered by his children and their families, Donna (Michael) and Gordon (Kirsten); his grandchildren, Brendan, David, Nina, Koa, and Halle; Dave’s brother Don (Mary), his nephews, Ian and Sheldon; his nieces, Laura, Susan, and Karen; and extended family and friends. Dave was predeceased by his parents, Audrey and LeRoi Betts; his brother John, his sister-in-law Annie, and his wife Wendy.

The family requests that contributions in Dave’s memory be made to PALS Pet Access League Society, 3019 – 21st St. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 7T1.  Telephone: (403) 250-PALS (7257), www.palspets.com or to the University of New Brunswick c/o Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 5050 Saint John NB, E2L 4L5, Telephone: 1-844-968-0039, www.unb.ca/giving.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with David’s family here. The family kindly requests that any condolences left be kept private.

In living memory of David Betts, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.