Douglas Pryke, an international consultant to the pulp and paper industry, a TAPPI member since 1978, and a TAPPI Fellow since 1998, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the age of 66, following several months of fighting cancer. Doug was an active member of the TAPPI Alkaline Pulping and Bleaching Committee and a frequent attendee at the TAPPI pulping conferences. He was an instructor for the TAPPI Bleach Plant Operations Workshop/Short Course, teaching about chlorine dioxide delignification, chlorine dioxide brightening, and optimization of ECF bleaching. He was an author of more than 40 publications for the pulp and paper industry trade press.

Doug obtained a B.A.Sc. degree in chemical engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1973. He was subsequently employed by Sterling Pulp Chemicals Ltd., where he was responsible for the development and implementation of chlorine dioxide bleaching for that company’s industry clients. He also served as founding executive director for the Alliance for Environmental Technology (AET), an association of U.S. and Canadian chemical manufacturers and forest products companies.

Doug was a passionate golfer and member of Devil's Pulpit Golf Association in Caledon, Ont., Canada. In addition, he was an ardent white water canoeist, organizing and participating in many Canadian river challenges. Although Doug spent his past 40 years in southern Ontario, he was born in Vancouver and leaves many friends in the West.

Doug will be fondly remembered by many for his unshakable integrity, his never-ending curiosity, sense of fairness, and his infectious laugh that could be heard across any room. Laughter was important to Doug and he was delighted if he could make someone smile.

Doug is survived by his loving partner, Cheryl Preston; dear wife, Valerie Pryke; his devoted brother, Gary Pryke; and niece and nephew, Carly and Benjamin.

As per Doug's wishes, a celebration of Doug's life is being held today, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at his beloved Devil's Pulpit Golf Association, 3035 Escarpment Sideroad, Caledon Village from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation or to the DPGA Members' Charitable Foundation.