Merlin Bellamy Brinkerhoff
July 2nd, 2020
Merlin Bellamy Brinkerhoff, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2020, after a battle with dementia. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Gloria; two daughters, Tanya (Curtis) and Celia (David); and four grandchildren, Felix, Zenna, Ana and Sam; his siblings, Loretta (Derald), Judy (Bruce), David (Lynn) and Irma. Merlin was born on November 10, l939 in Lovell, Wyoming. He served on a mission in Brazil for the LDS Church and upon his return, he and Gloria were married. He attended Brigham Young University and graduated with BA and MA degrees in Sociology. The family then moved to Seattle where Merlin enrolled at the University of Washington and earned his Ph.D. in Sociology. They returned to BYU for one year and then Merlin accepted a Post-Doctorate position at McAllister College in Minnesota. In l970, Merlin joined the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Calgary, serving in the positions of Department Head, Assistant Dean of Social Sciences, and Associate Vice President of Research. He spent sabbatical leaves conducting research in Mexico, several countries in South America, and the Philippines. When he retired in l997, he was asked to be a part of the International Center and help with its development; this was the beginning of extensive travel to oversee CIDA funded projects in several countries in Asia and Latin America. Merlin loved the academic scene where he enjoyed his colleagues and the students, and especially teaching, research, and writing. He was very proud of the U of C and his part within it, serving on the U of C Senate, involved in the Latin American Studies Program and joining the board of directors for the Canadian Research Institute for Law and Family. He volunteered for the Organization of American States as an election observer on missions to Suriname, Guyana, and Nicaragua. After retirement, he joined the Calgary Horticulture Society and enjoyed the volunteering and the friends he made. He served on their board of directors for 6 years.
Merlin grew up in the mountains of Wyoming where fishing, camping, and hiking were a big part of his life. When the family moved to Calgary, cross country skiing was added to his favourites. He was a devoted husband and father. His family was a deep source of pride for him. He was an avid reader, faithful CBC and PBS follower, and political discussions were of great interest to him. The friendships made on Baines Road became their Canadian family. He was very interested in people and wanted to know where they were from and what their stories were. He was a generous and caring person who would help anyone in need. He spearheaded the building of a log cabin in Montana which became the center of their family life in the summers and where he made many dear friends.
The family is deeply grateful for the excellent care provided by his two doctors, Dr. Rick Ward and Dr. Gordon Ford, and for the care at Foothills Medical Center and Agape Hospice. They all made the journey easier. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI) in Calgary, https://www.arbi.ca/.
Messages:
My condolences on the loss of Merlin Brinkerhoff. I met him a number of years ago at the U of C when I was delivering an outreach program for the Faculty of Management and we had a nice chat. Although we are not related, at least not at all closely, I was immediately proud that he bore the Brinkerhoff name! So sorry for you loss.
I had the privilege of knowing Merlin through the Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family - we both served on its board for a number of years. I remember him as fair, thoughtful, hard working, committed and always insightful. He spoke when he had something to say, we listened when he did. My sympathy and condolences to his family.
Gloria, so sorry to hear of Merlin's passing. Your cousin Don.
My condolences to Merlins family. I had the pleasure of working on some tasks with Merlin at UCalgary over the years and always valued his opinion and experience. After his retirement I continued to enjoy our conversations when he was on campus. He will be missed.
My condolences to the family. Over many years, i would have short, pleasant, thoughtful encounters with Merlin, often as we walked across the U of Calgary campus. He was kind, gentle, generous, and good-humoured. He will be missed by me and many others. I am very sorry for your and our loss.
Dear Gloria and family, Robert and I were saddened to hear of Merlin’s death. He was such a presence at the U. of C. during the years that we were colleagues there, not only because of his administrative positions, but also because he was such a kind and friendly person—someone who could ‘make one’s day’ just by saying hello. We will remember him very fondly. We are truly sorry for your loss, and send condolences to you and your family. Tamara and Robert Seiler
My heartfelt deep sympathy Gloria for your loss, Merlin was a kind and personable man. He will be missed my many.
My heartfelt sympathy Gloria and to your family. Merlin will be remembered for the kind and personable man that he was.
It was my honor to know Merlin. My deepest condolences to the family.
My deepest sympathies to Gloria, Tanya, Celia and the rest of the family. Uncle Merlin was an amazing man, and I remember his smiles and good nature fondly.
Dearest Gloria and family Merlin was so special to me, as you know. He was instrumental in my career with Research Services, and both Dennis & I treasured his great sense of humor and mischievous ways. Dennis always called him the "Magician", and he was. I can remember the first phone call I ever had with him when I was a brand new employee at UofC. We so appreciated your visit to Naramata, and we want you to know we hold you close. Merlin will be forever in our hearts. Dennis&Patricia Evans
Hello Gloria. Knowing Merlin was one of the highlights of my life. Although we did not have much contact in recent years, he genuinely was always in my thoughts, with my frequently making reference to "my old mentor and friend Brinkerhoff" who taught me this and that. He was a tough mentor but a kind friend, whose occasional notes have been stored in a "Brinkerhoff" file. In Sociology of Religion circles, as you may know, "Bibby & Brinkerhoff" - as I reminded Merlin - were more famous than Simon & Garfunkel! I am grateful to God for what Merlin brought to me. He will forever be remembered and treasured. Warm wishes to you and your family. -Reg
Gloria, to you and your family we send our condolences to all of you. Remembering Merlin starting in the 60’s at BYU to then over years seeing you in different locations. Also a smile on his face and those visits were special. Sympathies to all. Dick and Sue Thompson
We remember fondly our visits in Brentwood. Merlin was gracious, kind, and nurturing especially when Usher first arrived at the university. May Merlin rest in peace, and may you be at peace with his memory.
So extremely sorry to hear about the loss of Merlin. He left an indelible impact on so many with his laughter, his charm, his wisdom and his delicious fudge. Someone so special will not be forgotten. My deepest sympathies to Gloria and the family.
Our deepest sympathy to Gloria, Merlin's family and friends. We will remember Merlin for his openness to all, his commitment to the next generation and the ease and warmth of his personal interactions. Bev remembers talking with Merlin about his decision to buy the Montana property and both of us were grateful to Merlin for supporting our son Paul early on in his artistic career. He was the epitome of a good colleague at the University of Calgary, fair minded and intent on the best outcomes for everyone.
Merlin was a wonderful man. I feel privileged to have known him. My deepest condolences to his family.
I will miss watching games and cheering on the Flames and Stampeders with Merlin. He is in a better place but will be missed. My sincere condolences to Gloria and family. your friend and neighbor. Sandy
We miss your smile, your teasing, the hikes we shared and your fudge!!! Enjoy that family reunion with your parents. Give Burt and Ruth a hug for me.
He will always be my wizard uncle Merlin. Such a great and gregarious man. We had a hell of a time getting the old irrigation pump winterized at Ruth's Ranch. Wish that I had more time to converse with him.