Written with a profound love for her parents, author Jean Buchanan is excited to announce the publication of her historical, biographical, human interest love story, "Endless Odyssey."
A tribute to her father, Edward, "Endless Odyssey" honours the life of a husband, father and son whose strong moral compass guided his efforts to help others.
Ed Buchanan's parents, Robert and Isabella Buchanan, were first-generation immigrants from Scotland who left their homeland in order to give their seven children a better life.
After the family settled in Edmonton, at 14 years old, Ed studied and worked. In 1920, he joined the Alberta Provincial Police (APP), and was posted at St. Paul de Metis in Edmonton, where he met and married the love of his life, Christene Kvarnberg, in August 1922.
He was posted in Grande Prairie until a new one-man detachment was built at Horse Lake. His next posting was to a one-man detachment at Wembley. During that time, the APP was discontinued on March 31, 1932. The next day, the RCMP sign went up, and he donned the new uniform.
In 1934, Ed received a promotion and a major posting as NCO of the Westlock Detachment, where he served for 11 years. Growing up in Westlock during that time, Jean has always considered it to be her hometown.
Ed's next and final posting until retirement in 1950 was as a Staff Sergeant and NCO of the Lethbridge Subdivision.
Around this time, Ed and his family moved to Edmonton when the Attorney General of Alberta called Ed to see if he would accept a new position as Inspector of Prisons. This new career required someone to improve the state of two prisons in Alberta.
Being a true visionary, he worked hard to develop new concepts and specialized prisons. Ed's final title was Superintendent of Correctional Institutions.
During the later half of his career he still could not turn his back on a much-needed six-week Municipal Police Training Course. He directed, organized and obtained different subject instructors, knowing many who would be good. The first one was held in November 1958 in both Calgary and Edmonton, continuing annually and still going strong in 1968.
Jean's biography explores what makes a good leader and ultimately what it takes to have a sense of responsibility for one's community.
"My father did so much for the Province of Alberta. His story will leave you wondering how one person could work so hard to inspire others to share their talents and qualities with humanity," Jean says. Ed became a beloved figure in communities across Alberta, a notable speaker, and a dedicated volunteer of 20 years, sharing the RCMP and other historical presentations with school students all over Edmonton at the request of the Edmonton School Board and Historical Society.
After spending the last decade researching and writing this human interest story, the Alberta author attributes her work to a labour of love.
"I was fortunate to have such a great father... and my mother was his true supporter. Dad treated his family with care. He never forgot an anniversary or birthday and made sure to always be there even with such a demanding career," Jean says. "What is so compelling is that he carried himself in that way with everyone. He showed respect to everyone, and that deep sense of gratitude and humility is what I believe made him a very special person in all of our lives."
Honouring her father's life through the publication of "Endless Odyssey," Jean guarantees a journey built upon authentic stories that will leave readers feeling inspired.
Jean's heartwarming novel, "Endless Odyssey," can be purchased at the Milk River Gift Shop on 105 Main St, Rimbey Gift Shoppe, 4909-51 St.; Rimbey's PasKaPoo Historical Museum, 5620-51 St. You may leave contact info at the Rimbey TV & Electronic Shop on 5031-50 Ave or email jeanbuck30@gmail.com.