It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of long-time BCMC Member and Mountaineer, Sev Heiberg at the age of 94.

Severin Andreas Heiberg Dec 10, 1922 - July 18, 2016 Mountaineer, trail blazer, gymnast, coach, mentor, Mensa, PhD Nuclear Physicist, computer programmer, stock trader, gentle power, humble leader, loyal friend. Born in Norway, Sev immigrated to Kingman Alberta with his family in 1926. Growing up on a farm during the Great Depression shaped him - his love of the great outdoors, his frugality, his spartan lifestyle. His intellect and brilliance always shone through. Sev's schooling began at the rural one- room Pretty Hill School and culminated in the attainment of a PhD in Nuclear Physics from UBC. In between he attended Kingman High, Camrose Lutheran College & UofA and did a stint in the RCAF which brought him to Denmark just as the war was ending. With his thesis "Reactions Induced by Fast Neutrons in Boron Trifluoride..." in hand, he ventured to Suffield, Alberta and then Ottawa participating in nuclear physics research. In 1968 he traded Ottawa and physics, for the higher mountains of BC to concentrate on his two passions gymnastics and mountaineering. From his mother, Sev gained a lifelong love for gymnastics, first as a competitor and then as a high level coach. In 1960 he founded the Ottawa Gymnastics Club and in 1969 the Phoenix Gymnastics Club in Vancouver. He was a founding member of Gymnastics BC and a Life Member of both Gymnastics BC & Gymnastics Canada. The Sev Heiberg National Stream Coach of the Year Award is named in his honour. He built the clubs on traditions and values of generosity, sportsmanship, work ethic, honour and love of gymnastics. His influence on the gymnastics world continues to be felt. An active member of the Alpine Club of Canada and the BC Mountaineering Club, Sev was an accomplished and well known explorer and mountaineer in western Canada. Noteworthy accomplishments include the first ascent of Pioneer Ridge on the north peak of Denali (Mount McKinley) in 1961 and the first ascent of Mt. Ontario in the Yukon's Centennial Range in 1967 as part of a government sponsored celebration for the centennial year. Well into his 80's Sev could be found on one of his many trail maintenance outings. Son of Florrie and Christen, brother to Lucy (Leif) and Sophie, uncle to Laila (Roger), Allan (Kathy) and Sven (Jane), great uncle to Katrina, Erik and Ethan. In addition to his nieces and nephews he leaves behind many friends especially in the gymnastics and mountaineering communities. A special thanks to the Astoria Retirement Residence and The Madison Care Centre for outstanding care and compassion during his last years. Donations in Sev's memory can be made to Phoenix Gymnastics, Alzheimers' Society or charity of choice.