Squadron Leader (Retired)

August 2, 1930 – October 2, 2022

Farmboy, Student, Athlete, Airman, Coach Sports Administator and Sports Consultant

It is with deep sorrow the family of W.E. “Hank” Tatarchuk announce his passing on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at the age of 92 years.

Hank is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, J. Arlene; son, Erik (Lynn); grandsons, Graham and Scott (Chen); and great-granddaughter, Jasmine. Predeceased by his parents, Peter and Dockia; and brother-in-law, Herman Giesbrecht; sister, Olha; as well as many extended family in the Ukraine.

Hank was born in Vegreville, Alberta. He was a first generation Canadian, graduated from Vegreville Composite High School, and earned a BPE from the University of Alberta and MPE from the University of Ottawa. However, “the quiet Albertan” joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1951 and served at bases across Canada and Europe for 28 plus years before joining the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, where he completed 14 plus years as an Assistant Dean.

Times in the “dirty thirties” taught him the necessity and value of hard work – his parents stressed the importance of a good education – pride of his Ukrainian heritage and a patriotic fervor for Canada. Hank developed an independent and can-do attitude and passionate love of life. He was an avid athlete, coach, spectator, volunteer and a builder in the field of sport.

Sports were integral to Hank’s life, from early days in Vegreville where hockey, baseball, softball and track were activities in which he was involved as an athlete; to university, he was introduced to a myriad of sports from gymnastics to basketball, volleyball, badminton, swimming, football, et. al. There he began to appreciate coaching and the administration required to foster these activities. His military career built on this introduction to sport and its values to society as a whole. It was here that besides participating as an athlete, he had his first opportunity to coach teams in basketball, fastball, et. al. on the airmen and airwomen levels. Besides normal military duties, basketball became most important in his life. A successful career as Head Coach of Royal Military College Basketball Redmen, later to become The Paladins, he proceeded to be an Assistant/Associate Coach at the Universities of Alberta, Manitoba, Carleton and Ottawa. This culminated with the opportunity to work with the National Basketball Canada program over a 20-plus year career. His greatest satisfaction was seeing players come into programs – grow – mature – contribute to each university and go on to successful careers in their chosen fields.

Hank may have been best known for his role in fostering basketball with the Canadian Forces, university level, nationally and internationally. He had the distinction of being the only Canadian ever to have organized and directed an Olympic Basketball program in his own country when he was Director of Basketball for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. He took pride in being the first director to oversee the official introduction of the Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Olympics in 1976.

W.E. “Hank” Tatarchuk’s contributions to basketball were recognized with his induction into Canadian Forces Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and followed up with an induction into Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 in the Builders Category. He went on to establish an endowment at the University of Alberta to recognize and assist aspiring basketball players.

International sport was a driving force for Hank. Following his “Director of Basketball” Montreal Olympics 1975-76, he held senior positions as Vice President, Sports University Games, Edmonton 1981-83, a Vice President Sports position with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee 1983-84, a consultant and evaluator of the Seoul Olympic Games 1984-88, and Director, Sports and Venues for 1993 University Organizing Committee, Buffalo 1992-93. He served as Chef de Mission to two Universiades – Zakapone, Poland and Chonju Republic of South Korea. These positions were complimented with voluntary work at numerous golf tournaments, Universiade wrestling championships, Junior World Basketball Championships, et. al. Yes, as he said, it was a wonderful ride.

Generous with his friendship, he was the most positive, optimistic person one could imagine- always seeing a glass half full and not half empty. A great sense of humour added to his gamesmanship that created fun wherever he went. He was a thoughtful, loving husband, a role model, and father who was admired by his family and the many people he proudly called his friends. Our family and community will miss him dearly.

In his retirement years he enjoyed fitness activities, golf at the Edmonton Country Club where he was granted a Life Membership and cherished the many friendships made there, along with partaking in outdoor activities like jogging and walking.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Reverend Father Doctor Timothy Chrapko and the many parishioners of St. Anthony’s Ukrainian Orthodox for their help and friendship.

Prayers will be held Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 7 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 6103 – 172 Street, Edmonton. Funeral Rite Friday, October 7, 2022, at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church with interment to follow in Rosehill Cemetery.

The family gratefully declines floral tributes and requests donations be made to the Kipnes Centre for Veterans, 4470 McCrae Avenue NW, Edmonton or the Cross Cancer Institute. This is in honour of his love and respect for military veterans for their service and contributions to Canada.

Cross Cancer Institute