ERNERST HARCOURT HOBBS passed away November 3, 2016 in the presence of family at the age of 93. His loss will be most deeply felt by his loving wife and soul mate Eileen, son Chuck (Domynique Fortin), daughter Dorothy (Gregory) Humphrey and daughter Betty (Alan) McNaught, grandsons Matthew Hobbs (Jaclyn Moneypenny), Timothy (Sara) Hobbs, Ryan Humphrey (Ardythe Harder), Patrick Humphrey, and Cole McNaught (Shelley Petersen). He will also be greatly missed by his extended family and many dear friends.

Harcourt was predeceased by his parents Henry and Sarah Hobbs, brother Norris, sister Helen, brother Harry, and grandson William McNaught.

Harcourt was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on October 14^th, 1923. He spent his formative years living on the family farm near Ruthilda, Saskatchewan, where he developed his lifetime ideals - commitment to family, the rewards of hard work, fiscal responsibility, love of nature, to do your best, and the importance of developing deep and lasting connections with friends.

He was a good scholar, completing a teacher's certificate at Normal school, and then taught at a small one-room Saskatchewan school house. He subsequently joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Coastal Command Squadron 407, serving in southern England and northern Scotland as an LAC - Leading Aircraftman, Wellington Bomber gun armourer from 1943 to 1946. He was very proud of this service to his country.

After the war, Harcourt enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating with a BSc. in Agricultural Engineering. Following graduation, he spent over 30 years working firstly at the Vauxhall, then the Lethbridge Research Stations, where he published over 70 scientific papers. His specialty was irrigation, and he witnessed the transformation from the early days of hand-dug flood channel techniques through the development of the St. Mary River Irrigation District, to modern day electronically controlled pivot irrigation systems. He was able to share his expertise as a consultant in Idaho, Pakistan and Uruguay.

Harcourt was a competitive sports fan and remained physically active all his life. Sport interests included shinny hockey, baseball, curling, golf, square dancing, snooker, cards, - he loved and excelled at all of them.

Harcourt believed in service to God, Queen, Country and Community. He was actively involved in McKillop United Church, was a scout leader, president of the Lethbridge prostate cancer support group, active in the Legion Revelers, president of the Grandview Condo association, head of the Research Station bridge club, and more. Harcourt lived his belief in doing his share of the work and leaving things in better shape than when he arrived.

Harcourt and Eileen were married in Saskatoon in August 1952. He was devoted to her and a strong advocate for the challenges her hearing loss brought. He was an amazing father, and was an active parent to Chuck, Dorothy and Betty. Three spouses and then six grandsons were welcomed into the family. He and Eileen loved to travel, visiting many countries and taking numerous cruises with friends and family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH - 2329 15 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB on Wednesday, November 9^th, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Trevor Potter officiating. Lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of choice are appreciated.