Retirement Wishes Stewart McIntosh, P.Eng., has retired after his second career, a 17-year stint with APEGGA.

A director whose second career spanned 17 years of service to APEGGA and its members retired last month – and this time, he means it. Stewart McIntosh, P.Eng., who was most recently the Director, Special Projects, is known as the colourful, Glasgow-born bagpipe player and golfer whose professionalism was always delivered with good humour and fairness.

His job extended throughout the regulatory side of APEGGA, since he came on board to help his Association through some tricky transitions. “If you could stay on and help a bit, it would sure be appreciated,” he was told several times over those years, as he became a go-to expert on the business of self-regulation. Staff, Council, volunteers, his wife Bertie, other family and other well-wishers praised him for his work ethic, his intelligence, and his cool-headed fairness in the difficult area of investigations. He did it with panache – and loved it. Few people enjoy their job as much as Mr. McIntosh did.

TGIM, he used to tell staff when the week began – thank God it’s Monday. “I should have copyrighted that. I could have made a lot of money on it,” the 79-year-old Mr. McIntosh quipped at a gathering of staff.

He was also known to regale staff with Danny Boy on St. Patrick’s Day. The performance is rivaled only by his Auld Lang Syne, which he sings on New Year’s Eve.

Several APEGGA leaders and volunteers spoke of the role Mr. McIntosh has played in their professional and personal lives. Executive Director & Registrar Neil Windsor, P.Eng., said that when he took the top staff position, Mr. McIntosh quickly became a crucial confidante on work, personal and professional matters.

APEGGA President Linda Van Gastel, P.Eng., said Mr. McIntosh’s influence changed her life. “It was he who called me about 15 years ago and invited me to volunteer for the Practice Standards Committee. I say invited, but dragooned might be a better word.

“But on a serious note, and please excuse me if my voice waivers here, my life hasn’t been the same since then. Thanks, Stewart.”

His Canadian career began in British Columbia, and in late 1948 he joined Imperial Oil in Calgary. His path led him to the presidency of Northern and Central Gas Corporation, now known as Norcen Energy Resources, the position he retired from in 1984.

In 1987 career number two began, as Director, Professional Practice, for APEGGA. His reputation as a consummate professional grew. “Stewart has been a much-appreciated and greatly influential mentor, guide and example of professionalism and exemplary ethical behaviour,” said Ms. Van Gastel.

Investigative Committee Chair Paul Preville, P.Eng., said Mr. McIntosh was always forthright, fair and always able to “cut through to the bottom of an issue.”

Mr. McIntosh called his APEGGA career “exciting, challenging and very rewarding, all the time. It certainly wasn’t temporary, but it was most worthwhile.”