Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

The Oliver arts community is mourning the passing of one of their own.

Leo Pedersen, a stalwart member of the RipOff Artists, is remembered as a “quiet, gentle man” and a kind volunteer with the Oliver Community Arts Council (OCAC).

“Leo was a long-time member of the arts council . . . great for one-on-one conversation, and when he did speak publicly, you knew it was something important,” said OCAC president Penelope Johnson.

She noted that Pedersen always had good practical suggestions that everyone took to heart.

Pedersen often assisted the display team at the Fall Art Show and Sale, and volunteered for the Oliver & District Heritage Society and the Friends of the Oliver Library.

Pedersen was born in Denmark and spent his childhood there. Drawing was one of his favourite subjects in school. In his 20’s he immigrated to Canada and settled in BC.

In 1972 Pedersen and his family (wife Roma and three children) moved to the Okanagan. When he retired, he began making name signs, and became a skilled, self-taught artist (sketching, painting, and woodworking). He was also a loyal member of the Oliver Sagebrushers.

“I always referred to Leo as our right- hand man; no matter what the task was, he was willing to take it on,” said Sagebrusher Sally Franks.

She noted that Pedersen excelled in folk art (see his featured work at the Sagebrush Gallery on Main Street).

Franks said the Town Hall also has one of Pedersen’s paintings of “The Ditch.”

“Leo will be missed, and our memories will be very fond,” Franks said.

On Facebook, Dawn MacRae said: “I will never forget the first time I met Leo, hand in hand with his love Roma looking over the art at one of the Oliver art shows at the community centre. Later on only to sit with him again in class at the Quail’s Nest . . .  I sure enjoyed our conversations and memories shared.”

Sue Morhun said Pedersen and his wife were such stalwart supporters of the heritage society. 

“Both worked away quietly on needed tasks, especially with the archival collection. The community of Oliver has benefitted so much from all the many activities they participated in.”