Former Chilliwack Museum and Archives executive director of nearly 30 years passes
CHILLIWACK — The man who earned a fond nickname of being “Mr. Museum” for his extensive time spent as the executive director of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives for 28 years has passed.
According to a statement from archivist Tristan Evans on the website of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, Ron Denman passed away on June 26, 2024 in Hope. Denman previously served as executive director of the non-profit organization from 1985 to 2013, and interim director roles from in 2014-15 and 2018-19.
“We will forever be grateful for Ron’s work in the heritage sector and with the Chilliwack Museum & Archives. His legacy will live on here,” Chilliwack Museum and Archives wrote in a statement on Facebook.
“For those who have been following for a few years, Ron was practically Mr. Museum,” archivist Tristan Evans said. “I had the pleasure of working with Ron for seven months during his second renewal from retirement to fulfill the roll of Interim Director from July 2018 – January 2019. Despite being surrounded by entirely new staff, Ron made sure we all felt valued and understood our work was important. I knew right away that Ron was a leader; albeit, the type of leader who avoids the spotlight. When it comes to credit Ron believed in the philosophy, “everything is a group effort.”
Ronald Wayne Richmond Denman was born in Perth, Ontario. He later attended Carleton University and Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, earning a diploma in Photographic Arts. After graduation, he followed a school friend west to Victoria, B.C. Another trip north led him to Prince Rupert where he earned a position with the Museum of Northern B.C., eventually becoming its director. Evans says Denman once remarked on the experience, “It was a job that taught me the importance of involving the community in every aspect of Museum work in order to create a vibrant and alive institution.”
Denman met his wife, Lois, in Prince Rupert. After ten years of rain the couple decided it was time to try something new. In 1985, Denman took on the position of director/executive Director of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives. Denman was instrumental in the renovation of the former Chilliwack Hall building in 1987, Evans said, followed by the museum’s relocation to its current location. He also managed the Archives’ expansion in 2011, gave countless presentations, and managed over 100 different exhibits during his tenure, Evans said.
Beyond his professional career, Denman relished being on the water paddling dragon boats.
As told by Evans, looking back on his career, Denman said, “I can honestly say that I couldn’t have asked for a better job. Chilliwack is an amazing place, with an incredibly rich and lengthy history, a dynamic landscape that continually changes and two of the province’s greatest wild rivers at our doorstep. I have seen a generation disappear but I am forever grateful to have got to know some of them as they shared their memories and precious stories and objects with us.”