Jan Anthony Kobylka

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Jan Kobylka, who passed away on August 21st, surrounded by those who loved him.

He is survived by his partner, Mary, his children, Johnny (Jesse), Janine (David), Tom (Katie), and Daniel, and his three grandchildren, Charlie, Bailey, and James.

Jan was born on March 31, 1946, in the town of Hořovice, near Prague, Czechoslovakia, to Václav and Marie Kobylka. He grew up with his brother Vasík in a loving family that valued education and the arts. From an early age, Jan excelled in mathematics, going on to study structural engineering at university in Prague. In addition to academics, he discovered a lifelong passion for mountaineering. By age 16, he was completing first ascents and getting recognized in Czech climbing guidebooks.

In 1969, with the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia, Jan made the life-altering decision to leave his home country in pursuit of a freer life. At just 22, he left behind his family and friends, escaping to Stuttgart, Germany, under the guise of a "ski trip." While in Germany, he worked and continued his structural engineering studies at Stuttgart University. From there he moved to New York, where he supported himself as a painter before deciding to continue on to Canada. Hearing of the mountains in British Columbia, he hitchhiked across the country and eventually settled in Vancouver.

Once in Vancouver, Jan began working in construction. With his intelligence and background in engineering, he was quickly able to learn a wide range of skills in various trades. Over time, he established his own construction business and earned a reputation as someone who could take on complex international projects as in Expo 1986 in Vancouver and Expo 1992 in Seville, Spain.

In 1983, his career took a pivotal turn when he was invited to consult on the film Iceman. His technical expertise and problem-solving abilities proved well suited to film production, and he soon found steady work building sets for British Columbia’s emerging movie industry. This marked the beginning of a nearly four-decade-long career during which he contributed to many notable film productions in BC and Alberta. Recognized for his unique combination of structural engineering knowledge, creative problem-solving abilities, and skillful management of budgets and deadlines, Jan earned a reputation as a trusted and respected pioneer in the BC film industry. In 2010, he was honoured with the Innovator Award from the RCBC Environmental Awards for introducing recyclable materials and methods into set construction, an achievement that reflected his deep concern for the environment and sustainability.

Outside of work, Jan was drawn to the mountains. He was an avid skier, camper, and climber, scaling many peaks in coastal BC, Washington, Oregon, and California. He shared his love of the natural world with his children, taking them on numerous camping and hiking trips, instilling in them a love of the outdoors. He frequently returned to Europe, often with his children, introducing his cultural heritage to his family. As a father, he also shared his love of math and science with his children, always fostering a sense of curiosity about the world and how things work. As a partner, he was lovingly generous and committed. He loved his family deeply.

An unstoppable force in everything he set his mind to, Jan lived a remarkable, adventurous, and accomplished life across careers and continents. He will be remembered with respect and profoundly missed.

Rest in peace, Jan.