Allan William David Tanchak

Allan William David Tanchak, 78, passed away on his own terms on June 21, 2025, in Enderby, British Columbia. Born on June 26, 1946, in Vancouver, British Columbia, to parents William and Elena, Allan lived a life marked by quiet strength, thoughtfulness, and a profound love for his family, friends, and the world around him.

From humble beginnings in New Westminster, Al eventually attended the University of British Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His studies included a new course on the subject of “computer science,” which he took to avoid other, less attractive (to him) sciences. The choice would ultimately define his career, taking him initially to Ottawa to write code for Revenue Canada, before returning to BC to take a position with BCTel in 1972, and, ultimately, Simon Fraser University in 1974. His career with SFU spanned several decades – and the evolution of the IT industry – until his retirement in 2002. Rather than slowing down in retirement, Al embraced a new chapter as a novice “ranch hand” after purchasing acreage in Enderby, British Columbia, with Karen, his beloved wife and partner of more than 20 years.

Al’s professional and personal life were marked by his desire to see people succeed. Over the years, he acted as both an official and unofficial coach in various sports, at differing levels, including at UBC, where he served as Manager for the Champion 1966-67 Men’s Volleyball Team, inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. His colleagues and family alike would come to rely on Al to push them out of their comfort zones in pursuit of their goals, and he loved nothing more than to see people excel at everything they attempted. He had high expectations and strong values, but would always get behind solid, unwavering effort.

Al was known for his calm demeanor and logical mind, often paired with a sharp – though sometimes cheesy – wit that brought smiles and groans in equal measure to those around him. He had an appreciation for literature and was an avid reader throughout his life, never afraid to “do the research” on a particular topic or skill. He loved to travel, and he and Karen shared many adventures, particularly in warmer climates, cherishing moments shared with friends and family. He enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, particularly baseball and basketball, and developed a great joy in spending time with horses. Above all else, Al took immense pride in being a parent and was a loving mentor, coach, and full-fledged cheer squad to all of his children, in all their successes and setbacks.

Al’s love extended to the four-legged members of his family as well – he adored his dogs and took pride in their care, challenging them to napping contests on an almost daily basis. He was also famously known for his sandwich construction abilities, just one of his many small but memorable affectations.

Al is lovingly remembered by his wife Karen; children Dave, Ben, and Sarah; grandson Dex; stepsons Ian and Scott; sister Donna; and niece Keer.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and continue to inspire kindness, humour, and love.

A celebration of Allan's life is to be announced at a later date.