We are sad to share the news that Walter Miller, a founding partner and long-time leader of ARENCON, passed away on April 7, 2026 at 90 years of age.
There are many within the fire protection and Code consulting industry in Canada and the US that had the pleasure of working with Walter – as a client, a contractor, or a co-worker – and will agree that we have lost an icon within our industry.
Walter was a well-regarded and influential person within the fire protection industry – for his technical knowledge; for his leadership of standard writing committees and industry organizations; for his fairness in adjudicating disputes; and for his mentoring and sharing of his knowledge with peers.
Walter founded ARENCON in 1992, with Leslie Sims and Peter Colquhoun. The plan at that time was to have a small, boutique firm of three specialists in Codes and fire safety. Operating out of Walter’s family home and being early adopters of ‘remote work’, the firm stayed true to it’s plan for less than three years. Success and growth followed with the company expanding and growing over the years. Those that have worked at ARENCON and moved on to other positions will remember the guidance and tutelage that Walter provided them.
Walter served as President of ARENCON until 2011, and continued as a principal until his retirement in 2021.
We extend our condolences to his family – his wife, Margaret, his children, Tawnya (Jim) and John (Alison), and his grand-children, Matthew, Michael, Megan and Brodie.