Obituary of Stewart Raby

Stewart Raby, 69, died suddenly in his Regina home on August 1, 2009. The only child of Violetta and Edwin Raby, Stewart was born in Ossett, Yorkshire, UK, and immigrated to Canada in 1965 to take up a career as a professor, a scholar, and a leading authority on First Nations land claims. He is survived by his partner of the past 24 years, Alison Lohans and their son Chris Lohans (Che Colpitts) all of Regina; by his daughter Rebecca Raby (Holly Patterson) and their son Levi Patterson-Raby of St. Catharines, ON; by his son Andrew Raby (Alli Porter) of Vancouver, BC; by Alisons son John Lohans of Saskatoon; and by his former wife Helen McFadden of Surrey, BC. Stewart prepared for life as a scholar by earning one degree from Oxford University and another from the University of Alberta, before earning his PhD in geography from the University of Wales at Swansea. New doctorate in hand he immigrated to Canada in 1965, teaching first at the University of Saskatchewan, then at the University of Windsor, and finally in Ottawa. While in Ottawa, Stewart was hired as a Senior Researcher for the 1969 Barber Commission inquiry into Indian land claims, and began his lifes work. The Barber Commission job led to a staff position with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) in the early 1980s, where he served as Head Researcher on specific claims. Over the years, his work with FSIN was instrumental in the resolution of many important claims throughout Saskatchewan. Though raised in the Church of England, Stewart became a convinced Quaker (Religious Society of Friends) and was an influential member of Regina Allowed Meeting and Prairie Monthly Meeting. Music and literature were passions; his tall, lean frame with its shock of white hair a familiar presence at book launches, readings and concerts in Regina. We grieve his passing, but his legacy of scholastic service and commitment to social justice " and the delight he took in sharing beautiful music and fine literature " leaves the world better than he found it. Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2009 at Speers Family Centre, 2333 Cornwall Street, Regina, SK. The family suggests that a donation to the Saskatchewan Council for International Co-operation " 2138 McIntyre St, Regina, S4P 2R7 " would further work that was important to Stewart. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com