MOA is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Michael Koerner, who died on April 15, 2026 at the age of 97. Born in Prague in 1928, in then Czechoslovakia, Michael’s family fled their homeland in 1937 as the threat of war intensified and eventually landed in Vancouver.
Michael Koerner played a significant role in the history of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC through his leadership and enduring commitment to philanthropy. As head of the Koerner Foundation, he helped establish the landmark 2008 agreement supporting MOA’s Partnership of Peoples Project, including a transformative $5 million gift that contributed to the Museum’s renewal and continued vitality.
Michael’s connection to MOA was part of a broader family legacy. He was the son of Walter Koerner, whose support was instrumental in the construction of the museum building and whose donations enriched its collections. A notable example is the Koerner European ceramics collection, featuring more than 600 works gathered by Walter Koerner and now presented in the Koerner European Ceramic Gallery at MOA.
Also closely tied to the Koerner family’s legacy is The Raven and the First Men by Bill Reid, one of the museum’s most iconic sculptures, commissioned by Michael’s parents and generously donated to MOA.
This legacy of engagement continued across generations. Michael’s daughter, Jacqueline Koerner, served for a number of years on MOA’s Advisory Board, further strengthening the family’s relationship with the Museum.
Michael was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1984. His many honours included the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts, the Edmund C. Bovey Award, the Canadian Conference of the Arts Award and honorary doctorates from Queen’s University and The University of British Columbia.
Michael Koerner will be remembered for his intellect, warmth, generosity, and deep sense of responsibility to community. His leadership and philanthropy have left a lasting mark on MOA and on cultural institutions across Canada.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.
Dr. Susan Rowley
Director, Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Read Michael Koerner’s full obituary here.