Walter Koerner

Born in Nový Hrozenkov, Moravia, he emigrated to Canada in 1938 after serving in World War I.

His family had been involved in the forest industry and continued the tradition in Canada founding the Alaska Pine and Cellulose company.

After the company was sold to Rayonier Canada in 1954, Koerner became the president and chairman and retired in 1972.

His collection now occupies a small wing of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.

Dr. Walter Koerner was also the serving chairman of the UBC Health Services Centre from 1971 to 1980.