Richard Weber, M.S.M., Cantley, Que.
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)
A former member of the National Cross-Country Ski Team, Mr. Weber is a modern-day adventurer and explorer, and an important member of historic Arctic exploration teams. After participating in the American-led Steger North Pole Expedition in 1986, he was a member of the noted 1988 joint Soviet-Canadian Polar Bridge Expedition, skiing 1,730 kilometres across the top of the world, from Siberia to Ellesmere Island.
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 1996-02-07
Invested on: 1996-09-13
Mikhail Malakhov, M.S.M., Ryazan, Russia
Richard Weber, M.S.M.*, Aylmer, Que.
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)
In 1995, Dr. Malakhov, a citizen of Russia, and Mr. Weber, a Canadian, successfully completed an unsupported 2,000 km round-trip expedition to the North Pole, widely considered to be the last unclaimed achievement of polar exploration. Due to their determination and perseverance, they managed to overcome severe weather conditions, incredible obstacles and sleep deprivation. In addition, they provided the impetus for a very successful educational program, Project Follow Us, which enabled thousands of students worldwide to follow their exploits via computer.
* This is the second award of a Meritorious Service Medal to Mr. Weber.