SCHUT
GERHARDUS HENDRIK
Passed away peacefully in his sleep at Almonte Country Haven on April 29, 2014.
Gerry Schut
of Ottawa, Ontario, at the age of 99.
Beloved husband to Ingeborg Hirsch (d. 1990) for 35 years. Survived by his son Peter and daughter-in-law Carol Mortimer, and his four grandchildren: Kirsten, Nathan, Adrian, and Thomas. Born in the Netherlands to the late Timen Schut and Trijntje (nee Kingma). Older sibling to Hendrik Willem and Theodoor Geert.
Gerry was a world-renowned photogrammetrist. He was a research scientist at the National Research Council of Canada from 1952 – 1980. During his career he was instrumental in developing the mathematics and computer algorithms that were used to the create topographic maps from aerial photography. He started programming computers during the 1950’s, using the world’s first commercial computer at the University of Toronto (FERUT), and later ported his programs to a succession of IBM mainframes, and eventually to the IBM PC. The programs that he wrote were used for decades by agencies around the world and have been used to map much of the earth’s surface.
In retirement Gerry became an avid hiker and cross-country skier. He completed the Bruce Trail and much of the Appalachian trail, and went on hundreds of hikes as well as ski and canoe trips with his friends in the Wednesday Walkers and the Rideau Trail Association. He continued to hike long distances well into his 90’s. At home he continued to program his beloved computers, learning the C programming language in his eighties and rewriting all of his programs in a new language one last time. He lived independently in his own home by his own choice until he suffered a stroke in February of this year.
By inclination Gerry was private and somewhat reclusive. In keeping with his temperament, family and friends are invited to take a hike in his memory along one of the many trails in the Gatineau Park. Donations in his memory to the Canadian Red Cross Society would also be appreciated.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of the
C. R. GAMBLE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL Inc.
