MARTIN JOHN DAVID WHITTLES An intrepid traveler, Dr. Martin John David Whittles set off on his final journey on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, after a courageous and dignified battle against cancer. Having recently celebrated his 51st birthday, Martin did not go "gentle into that good night"; rather he fought his cancer with the same determination, spirit, and sense of humour that he applied to every aspect of his life. His beloved wife, Dawn Farough, was by his side at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice in Kamloops. Martin will be missed by his wife Dawn Farough of Kamloops, mother Betty Whittles of Pincher Creek, brother Lorne of Boise, mother-in-law Gail and father-in-law Mervyn Farough of Winnipeg, three brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, eight nieces and nephews, and a large, caring circle of friends. Martin was predeceased by his father Raymond Whittles. Martin was born April 15, 1958 in Edmonton, AB. His life took him down three distinctive career paths: a journeyman carpenter, a Special Constable in the RCMP, and a cultural anthropologist. Educated at the University of Lethbridge, the London School of Economics, and the Scott Polar Institute at the University of Cambridge, Martin found his skills as a carpenter to be a huge benefit to his academic career during his fieldwork with the Inuit community of Sachs Harbour, Banks Island, Northwest Territories in the early 1990s. After teaching at the University of Lethbridge and Red Deer College, Martin joined the faculty at the University College of the Cariboo (now Thompson Rivers University) in 1998. Martin was especially admired for his sharp intellect, his generosity and rapport with students, his tremendous wit, and his collegial integrity. His tireless efforts on behalf of the institution were recognized in a 2006 Distinguished Service Award. Although Martin travelled extensively, the UK, and in particular, Scotland, held a special place in his heart. In June of 2004, Martin and Dawn married on the Isle of Arran in Scotland, and Martin proudly wore his wedding kilt on many subsequent special occasions. Dawn would like to thank the nurses, staff, and volunteers at the Royal Inland Hospital's Cancer Clinic. Martin was an extremely sociable person and his chemotherapy was made tolerable by the many conversations and "taking the world to bits" he was able to have with the folks at the Cancer Clinic. Thanks also to Drs. Ritenburg (and Jenny), Gorman, and Avanessian as well as the nurses and staff at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice for their wonderful care of Martin during his illness. Martin valued friendship above all else, and the value of his friendships was never more unassailable than at his life's end. A core group of friends laughed, cried, dined with him, and nurtured him through the year and a half of his terminal illness. Martin embodied the spirit and letter of the Inuktitut term nuannaapaq, "the taking of extravagant pleasure in being alive." To commemorate Martin's life, a service will be held at St. Andrew's on the Square in Kamloops on Friday, June 19, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. Donations may be made to the TRU scholarship in his name or to a charity of your choice