Philip Thomas MSc

In the late 60′s, I was a graduate student in the Anthropology and Sociology Department and was the departmental representative on the Social Sciences Reading Room Committee.

In 1969, David Bond from the Economics Department and I were a “subcommittee” to interview and recommend to the Main Library a candidate for Reading Room Librarian. We interviewed a number of candidates, but came to the conclusion that Heather Barnes was the best candidate. In due course she was hired as the librarian.

Since I spent a great deal of time in the reading room, I got to know Heather very well – and besides she laughed at my jokes. She always said she could either work or laugh at my jokes and the later was easier.

After a couple of years of dating and one year of my being in Yellowknife (working for now Senator Pat Carney), we were married. The wedding was in April, 1974, in St. Marks College Chapel on the UBC campus.

We were married for just over 25 years and had two children. Our son Robin is the eldest and works for Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. Eleanor is the youngest and she followed in her father’s footsteps (albeit much faster). She graduated from UBC in 2005 with the same degree as I received: A Master of Arts in Anthropology. Eleanor lives and works in Vancouver for AustraLearn, a company that assists Canadian students who wish to attend Australian and New Zealand universities.

About four months after our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Heather passed away from cancer. She fought a brave fight, but in the end the cancer won.

So, the answer is “YES.” Love can be found at University of British Columbia.