Theodore (Ted) Alex Popilchak (1938 - 1990)
Ted Popilchak was born on June 26, 1938, at Daysland, Alberta, where he spent many of his growing up years before moving to Sylvan Lake in 1952. He was a farm boy whose education stopped at Grade 9, but he didn’t let that slow him down. Ted worked in the seismic acquisition industry, both overseas and in Canada, where he met many people who became lifelong friends. He originally worked for GSI, and then moved on to CDX, Sefel, Veritas, Enertec and, finally, Saskoil.
Ted served a term as president of the Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors and also spent many years with the CSEG, where he was well known for his wonderful, happy personality and his willingness to help when asked. He and his wife Priscilla, were very active in the CSEG, attending both SEG and CSEG conventions as well as other functions. Priscilla was also very active in the CSEG Ladies’ Auxiliary.
He served six years on the Doodlebug Committee, including his “Chairman Year” in 1980, when “everything was Ukrainian”, which honoured his heritage. Ted curled for many years at the Doodlespiel in Banff and he and Priscilla regularly participated in the Ski Spree in Fairmont. Other industry events included curling at Rocky Mountain House, the “Goof Off”, and the Sylvan Lake Oilmen’s Golf Tournaments.
A CSEG scholarship, which existed for a number of years, was set up in Ted’s name.
