Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 7, 2008

FORT SMITH - The South Slave has lost a well-known and well-respected educator.

Lawrie Hobart, a former principal of Fort Smith's Paul William Kaeser high school, died suddenly on Dec. 29 from complications due to pneumonia.

Lawrie Hobart, the supervisor of schools in the South Slave, died suddenly on Dec. 29. - photo courtesy of South Slave Divisional Education Council

At the time of his passing, Hobart had served five years as supervisor of schools with the South Slave Divisional Education Council (SSDEC).

"It is not an exaggeration to say we are all shocked and saddened with Lawrie's untimely passing," said SSDEC superintendent Curtis Brown in a statement. "It's a terribly sad time. Kids and colleagues alike loved Lawrie."

Brown described Hobart, who was in his mid-50s, as an amazing man. "We will remember him dearly."

Hobart's contributions to education in the NWT goes back to 1981 when he first came north from his home province of Alberta to become school principal in Tuktoyaktuk.

Shortly afterwards, he moved to Fort Smith and served as a teacher, vice principal and then principal of PWK high school in the late 1990s. He then moved on to the SSDEC office as a regional consultant.

At one time, he also ran the Western Arctic Leadership Program for four years.

In 2006, Hobart received a 25-year long service award from the GNWT.

Also in 2006, he received the Premier's Award of Excellence - the highest award a GNWT employee can receive - for his work on the SSDEC's Trades Awareness Program.

Brown praised Hobart for his humour and enthusiasm for his work.

"Lawrie gave his commitment," Brown said. "He did it wholeheartedly, no matter what was asked of him."

Hobart is survived by his wife, Janie, and their two sons John and Tom.

A memorial service was held at PWK high school on Jan. 3.