Allan Warnke, political scientist, former Richmond-Steveston MLA and member of the “Class of ’91,” passed away in late June.
Warnke represented the Richmond-Steveston riding for the BC Liberals from 1991 to 1996, narrowly beating out NDP candidate Harold Steves.
Warnke was elected under then-Liberal leader Gordon Wilson, who subsequently left the party to form the Progressive Democratic Alliance and later joined the NDP, serving as a cabinet minister.
There were 17 Liberal MLAs elected that year under Wilson, as the Socred Party had disintegrated after Bill Vander Zalm served as premier.
Serving in opposition, Warnke was the Official Opposition Critic for Aboriginal Affairs.
In the next election, however, Warnke wasn’t the BC Liberal candidate, rather Geoff Plant was parachuted in to run for the seat.
Warnke ran in Richmond-Steveston but as an independent and lost the seat to Plant.
Warnke was a political scientist and had attended Simon Fraser University, McMaster University, University of Toronto and Osgood Hall Law School.
Warnke lectured at several universities, including UBC, but landed at Vancouver Island University – commuting from his home in Richmond - after his short political career.
Warnke and his wife moved to Richmond in the 1980s.
He ran for the federal Liberals in Powell River in 1988, but lost to the NDP’s Ray Skelly.
In his candidate papers for the 1991 election, Warnke’s volunteer work includes serving on the board of Richmond Caring Place Campaign. He also volunteered with the Friends of the Richmond Library, Friends of the Richmond Archives and the Canadian Red Cross.
Warnke was predeceased by his wife Geraldine in 2018.
Warnke travelled extensively with his wife to conferences where he presented papers, but when she passed away in 2018, he said he would present only one more paper in Bonn, Germany.
Warnke passed away in late June.
