Kim Juniper

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Stanley Kim Juniper. Kim was born on March 23, 1954 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan and passed away peacefully on June 7th, 2024 in Victoria, BC after a valiant 18-month journey with brain cancer. Kim’s passion for the marine sciences was inspired through the adventures of Jacques Cousteau. This passion drew him to study at the University of Alberta, where he graduated with a BSc. in Zoology in 1976. He continued his educational endeavors at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he completed his masters and then received his PhD in (Marine) Microbial Ecology in 1982. Kim was a world traveler. His profession took him to all corners of the globe to attend many conferences and speaking engagements with scientific fellowship. Early in his career, Kim even explored the depths of the deep-sea, venturing to 2200m below sea level on a 3-man submersible on the Endeavor Seamount, Juan de Fuca Ridge of the west coast of Canada/USA. There, he and the research team discovered new and strange lifeforms living amongst the thermal hydro vents. Kim was always up for a challenge whether it was a home or work project. He loved our great family adventures including canoeing the mighty Peace River with his and his brother’s family, exploring the Australian outback and Great Barrier Reef with his daughter, traveling to China with his son, and Taiwan with his wife and mom. Not to mention his many family vacations to France. After receiving his PhD, Kim conducted research at Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS), Sidney BC. Kim then received an opportunity to conduct research at the marine institute IFREMER in Brest, France where he met his wife, Laurence, and became fully bilingual in France while working. After returning to Canada with his wife, Kim held a teaching position at the University of Québec in Montreal (UQAM) for 15 years, prior to moving to Victoria in 2006. In June 2023, Kim retired as a university professor in marine biology at UVIC after 18 years. Additionally, he held the position of Chief Scientist at Ocean Networks Canada along with being a chairperson in the Climate, environmental change & sustainability at UVIC. He was dedicated to his marine microbiology research and contributed to the success of many graduate students over the years. Kim enjoyed photography, taking family videos and improving the landscaping of the garden. Kim especially loved to host and entertain his many friends, colleagues and family from around the world at their home in Victoria. He is survived by his loving wife Laurence Patris, son Glenn, daughter Fiona, mother Anne, brother Lindsey (Julie) Juniper, and many nieces and nephews and 2 great nieces. Our family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude for the compassionate and professional care Kim received at the Jubilee Hospice in Victoria as well as Just Like Family and Vancouver Island Health home care professionals over his journey for the past 18 months. A Celebration of Life will be held at a date yet to be determined.