The man for whom the new UBC library is named left an
indelible mark on the world around him. It is very
appropriate that a facility devoted to the adventure of the
mind is named in his honour.
Walter Charles Koerner was born in northern Moravia in 1898 in what was then part of the Austro-Hungarian empire (later Czechoslovakia and now the Czech Republic). He served in World War One and was decorated for bravery. In 1938, along with his brothers Leon, Otto and Theodore, he emigrated to Canada.
The Koerner family had been involved in the forest industry for two centuries in Europe, and the brothers carried that tradition to their new home. It was Walter's brainstorm to market western hemlock, previously unpopular as quality lumber, as "Alaska Pine", and the brothers' Alaska Pine and Cellulose company thrived. In 1954 they sold the company to Rayonier, and Walter Koerner became chair of Rayonier Canada (BC). He retired in 1972 and devoted himself to public service and philanthropy.
Dr. Koerner's association with the University of British Columbia began in 1955, when he helped support the Slavonic Studies library collection. In 1956 he was a founding member of the Friends of the University Library, and served on the council for many years. In 1958 he contributed the start-up funds for the library's South Wing expansion.
His service to UBC included chairing the Board of Governors from 1968 to 1972. During this period he donated his extensive collection of Northwest Coast Native art to the university to initiate the process that resulted in the building of the world-renowned Museum of Anthropology, which opened in 1976.
Walter and his wife Marianne began collecting Northwest Coast Native art when they arrived in B.C., and over the years assembled an amazing array. Their goal was to see the items put on display for all to enjoy, and the Koerner donation formed the heart of the Museum's collection. Subsequent donations included Inuit, Latin American and East Asian materials, as well as commissioning the large sculpture "The Raven and the First Men" by the artist Bill Reid.
Dr. Koerner also initiated the project which led to the creation of the UBC Health Sciences Centre, the core building of which is named for him. He was chairman of the Centre from 1971 to 1980.
His support for library collections, medicine and other programs at UBC, as well as generosity towards many other charitable causes in the community, continued throughout his life, which ended on his 97th birthday, July 21, 1995.
Philanthropy is a Koerner family tradition. Brother Leon and his wife, Thea, gave generously to a number of UBC projects through the Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation. Walter's son, Michael, and his wife, Sonja, have continued the UBC connection, establishing a scholarship fund to provide opportunities and support for First Nations students.
As a young boy, Walter Koerner picked up a love of art, particularly ceramics, from his mother. He began collecting at the age of eight, and it blossomed into a lifelong passion. In 1990, he donated his extensive collection to found the Koerner Ceramics Gallery, which is housed in a small wing within the Museum of Anthropology.
In honour of his wide-ranging support and service to UBC, in 1994 the university announced that the new humanities and social science research library would be named for Walter Koerner. The library's striking design and important academic resources stand as a tribute to his vision, his appreciation of art, culture and learning in all forms, and his commitment to the university and British Columbia.
