THE ADVOCATE 253
VOL. 79 PART 2 MARCH 2021
NOS DISPARUS
By R.C. Tino Bella
Gerhard Ronald Toews, Q.C.
Ron was born on May 30, 1949 in Rosthern,
Saskatchewan and passed away on November 9, 2020
in Smithers, British Columbia. Between those two
dates there was a lot of life and in that life a lot of
character.
He will be greatly missed by his brother David
Toews, his sisters Julie Schopp and Erica Riggs, his
sister-in-law Deanna Toews and his brothers-in-law Gerhard Schopp and
David Klaassen. He will also be missed by a slew of nephews and nieces in
a large, loving family. Ron was predeceased by his parents Kornelius and
Helen Toews, his sister Louise Klaassen, his brother-in-law Christopher
Riggs and his grand-nephew Garrett Schopp.
Ron’s early years were in Saskatchewan with schooling in Regina. His history
degree was from the Regina campus of the University of Saskatchewan,
his LL.B. from UBC. He subsequently earned an LL.M. from the London
School of Economics (which entitled him to cheap lodgings on his many
subsequent visits to the U.K.). He articled in Prince George and was called
to the bar in 1976. He practised in our North for the balance of his career,
centred in the glorious community of Smithers.
Ron was in private practice for most of that period but latterly was Crown
counsel, which provided a wonderful benefits plan. He appeared in courts
all over the North, as is typical of our colleagues in that part of the province.
He had many friends in the legal community in the North and throughout
the province. He was a mentor to many. He was a social person. His annual
pig roast was a highlight of the Smithers/Prince Rupert County Bar calendar.
Lawyers visiting Smithers had a spot at the Toews’ Inn.