Hetje Rival, wife

Email: hf_rival@hotmail.com

Hetje and Ivan developed a strong and loving relationship, and after 27 years of marriage, were the closest and best of friends. They shared a keen interest in the arts, especially of literature and music, and together instilled these values in their children. The couple became world travelers, with Hetje and the children always accompanying Ivan on his sabbatical trips to Europe and Asia. Hetje was Ivan's sounding board for all his projects and invariably part of his scientific, and later, business circles. Besides her continuing interests in the arts, painting especially, Hetje takes great pride and joy in following and supporting her children in their respective endeavours.

Robert Rival, son
(b. 1975 Calgary, Alberta)

Robert is a composer of concert music. His works have been broadcast on CBC radio and performed in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland and France. Robert's chamber music includes a String Trio, Piano Trio and Clarinet Trio. His orchestral works include The Great Northern Diver (about the common loon) and an Overture, the latter conducted by both David Currie (Ottawa Symphony Orchestra) and Boris Brott (National Academy Orchestra). In 2006 he was commissioned by the Ottawa Youth Orchestra to compose Maya the Bee for narrator and orchestra. In addition to composing, Robert writes extensively on music. He is a doctoral composition candidate at the University of Toronto and resides in Toronto with his wife, Chantal-Andrée Samson, an oil painting student.

David Rival, son
(b. 1981 Atlanta, Georgia)

In December 2005, David successfully defended his M.Sc. thesis (in Mechanical Engineering) entitled "Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the Scavenging Flow in a Novel Two-Stroke Engine" at Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario). Since then he has been working towards a Ph.D. in the field of unsteady aerodynamics at the Technische Universitaet Darmstadt, Germany. His research focuses on the aerodynamic interaction of flapping wings as an attempt to understand the complex locomotion of dragonflies, geese in formation flight, and trout in fast-moving water to name but a few examples found in nature. David currently lives with his girlfriend Claudia, a native German, who herself studies geography at the Universitaet Heidelberg, a short train ride away.

Katia Rival, daughter
(b. 1986 Ottawa, Ontario)

Katia has spent two years dabbling in an assortment of university courses at Carleton, trying to figure out what draws her passion. A year in the architectural studies program and a year in general studies have left her quite unsure. However, nothing has quite piqued her curiosity like traveling. And so, in the past year she backpacked around Europe for two months, lived on the west coast of Ireland for five months, and now, after a few months back in Ottawa working, she has decided to take off to the other side of the world to explore the Land Down Under. Katia grew up playing music, beginning with the violin and moving on to cello at age 12. She has since picked up the guitar and in the past year has played open mics at local pubs with friends. However, she still improvises and jams on the cello with her music friends, and has even recorded a few tracks on their respective albums.

Zoltan Rival, father

Zoltan passed away on April 12, 2003 at the Ottawa Hospital. He was 88. Zoltan was born in Czechoslovakia and moved with Edith and their son to Canada in 1951. They settled in Hamilton where Zoltan became a real estate broker. A robust man and natural athlete, Zoltan played tennis into his 80's. His disciplined approach to physical fitness was admirable. Zoltan will be remembered for his warmth, his smile, the way he would throw up his hands and look to the sky when amazed, his expression "Sure, why not?", his good business sense, his sometimes random interjections and his endearing sense of humour. He is greatly missed by his family and close friends.

Edith Rival, mother

Edith passed away on October 21, 2002, in her 78th year, at Elisabeth Bruyere Health Centre in Ottawa after a courageous struggle with cancer of the bone marrow. Edith was born in Czechoslovakia and moved with Zoltan and their son Ivan to Canada in 1951. They settled in Hamilton where Zoltan became a real estate broker and Edith his business secretary. Edith acquired a passion for art and volunteered as a tour guide at the Hamilton Art Gallery. She enjoyed travel, loved photographing (and bragging about) her grandchildren, was a devoted listener of CBC Radio's "Saturday Afternoon at the Opera" and after her move to Ottawa in 1999 became an avid bridge player. Her warm and outgoing personality is greatly missed by her family and close friends.