Robert Oliver Douglas was born on January 25, 1932 to
parents residing in Minnedosa. He is a farm leader and former Winnipeg
City Councillor.
Douglas joined the Manitoba Federation of
Agriculture in 1956 as a youth director, and later became its executive
secretary. He was a founding member of the Manitoba Farm Bureau in 1965,
and served as its secretary manager for nineteen years until becoming
general manager of the newly-created Keystone Agricultural Producers
group in 1984. Douglas played a prominent role in establishing the
Manitoba Agricultural Training Project in 1989. He was fired in 1993,
after refusing to submit a letter of resignation. Douglas indicated that
he was given no cause for the termination notice. He subsequently joined
Manitoba Pool as a consultant.
His political career began in
1982, when was elected to the Winnipeg City Council in a by-election for
the Stevenson ward. He ran as an independent, and defeated a candidate
of the centre-right Independent Citizens' Election Committee. He was
re-elected in 1983, defeating New Democratic Party candidate Jim Maloway
by a wide margin. Returned by acclamation in 1986, he was again
re-elected for the restructured ward of Grants Mills-Stevenson in 1989.
He did not seek re-election in 1992. On council, Douglas served as
chairman of the Planning and Community Services Committee.
Douglas ran for the Manitoba Liberal Party in the 1995 provincial
election, and spoke in favour of single-desk marketing for hog producers
during the campaign. He posed a credible challenge to Progressive
Conservative incumbent Gerry McAlpine, but ultimately finished second.
After the election, he suggested that Winnipeg should consider
recapturing its diminishing tax base by expanding its borders outward.
In 1998, Douglas was appointed to an advisory council of the
Agri-food Research and Development Initiative. He was appointed to a
six-year term on the Canadian Grain Commission for Manitoba in 2000. In
2004, he was nominated to the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame.
=====================
ROBERT (BOB) OLIVER DOUGLAS Robert
(Bob) Douglas was reunited with his beloved Shelagh on Friday, October
5, 2012.
Bob was predeceased by his wife Shelagh in 2004 and his
brother Alex in 2008. Cherishing his memory is daughter Barbara
(grandson Ian Mullins), son John and Heather, Neepawa, MB (granddaughter
Kate and Rob Wilson, great-grandchildren Rylan and Kensley) (grandson
Michael), and daughter Anne and Peter Roberts (grandson Evan). His
sister Irene (Al Peden), brothers Jack (Carole) and Harvey (Joyce) have
been truly wonderful in supporting him with visits and phone calls he so
appreciated. Bob will be missed by brother-in-law Dr. Ian and Eva
Sutherland, sister-in-law Jane Parker (Kingston, ON) and Pat Hutcheson
(Pittsburgh, PA). Uncle Bob had the love and affection of his crew of
nieces and nephews.
His friend Mac McCorquodale has been at
Bob's side for decades, and we thank him for his valuable support. Bob
and his family want to express appreciation for the many years of
respectful care and kindness provided by Dr. A. Jowett and his nurse
Agnes. The family extends our thanks to the Winnipeg Police and
Fire/Paramedic Service personnel who attended.
Bob was born
January 25, 1932. He was the third child to Eva (nee Petch) and Oliver
Douglas. His roots on the farm never left him. He grew up on the family
farm near Minnedosa and attended Hazelwood School, Minnedosa Collegiate
and United College. In his youth he enjoyed his participation in 4-H,
being the Manitoba representative to the National 4-H program at the
Toronto Royal Fair in 1950. He was elected chairman of the first
National 4-H Youth Council.
Bob met Shelagh Sutherland at a
United Church of Canada Young Peoples Union conference. They married in
1956 and bought land for their home in 1958. They worked diligently at
building that happy, welcoming home and Dad has been there ever since.
Bob was a fabulous neighbour and became the street historian.
Bob's life long contribution to the Manitoba agricultural community
began with his appointment as Youth Director for the Manitoba Federation
of Agriculture and Co-operation (MFAC) in 1956. In this position he
became Director and Manager of MFAC's residential youth camp at Clear
Lake. This association with Camp Wannakumbac lasted 31 years, from
1956-1987.
Bob believed every child deserved a positive camping
experience, and that this experience could play a significant role in
developing confidence and leadership skills. Thousands of Manitoba youth
benefitted from this camping experience under Bob's guidance and went on
to become leaders themselves in their respective areas.
Bob
eventually became Executive Secretary of the MFAC and was one of the
founding architects leading to the formation of the Manitoba Farm Bureau
in 1965. He served as Executive Secretary of the Manitoba Farm Bureau
until 1984. In 1983-84 Bob was at the forefront with initiatives leading
to the formation of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), which would
become a respected farm lobby network. He served as KAP's first General
Manager until 1993. In his role as senior staff of Manitoba's major farm
policy organizations, Bob was heavily involved in the farm policy work
of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. Bob was a key person in
assisting several commodity groups in establishing producer marketing
boards which significantly contributed to improved farm income.
He also helped the Manitoba Women's Institute organize the Farm
Vacations Program implemented in 1971. In 1989 Bob negotiated with
Canada Manpower, Manitoba Agriculture and Agriculture Canada to
establish the Manitoba Agricultural Training Project. Under his
supervision, an extensive skills training program was carried out each
year until 1995 to meet identified needs of farm families.
Since
1993, Bob has been appointed to serve on various national agricultural
policy committees. In 2000 he received a six year appointment as
Assistant Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission. In 2004, Bob
was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame. Bob served his
community as an elected member of Winnipeg City Council for four terms,
1982 1992, for the Stevenson - Grant's Mill ward. He served as chairman
of the Protection, Parks and Culture Committee.
Over the years
Bob volunteered at Sturgeon Creek Community Club, church committees and
events, Manitoba Camping Association, Community Liaison Committee of the
Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, Charleswood St.
James- Assiniboia Federal Liberal Riding Association, and the University
of Manitoba Senate Committee on Honourary Degrees.
Bob treasured
and took delight in his four precious grandchildren, who he adored
unconditionally. In his eyes, they were simply the best! Story after
story is told of good times spent with Grandpa and how he saved the day.
Dad never worked at just one job, and that was the way he liked it. For
over fifty years he has willingly and conscientiously served his
community, his province and his country.
Thanks be to God for
his life of service. Memorial service to be held on Saturday, October
13, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Road United Church, 613 St. Mary's
Road, Winnipeg, with Rev. Bev Ward officiating. Private interment at
Chapel Lawn at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory
to the Sunshine Fund c/o Manitoba Camping Association, 302-960 Portage
Ave, Winnipeg R3G 0R4; or Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame, 1129
Queens Avenue, Brandon R7A 1L9 would have pleased Bob. THOMSON FUNERAL
HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent
to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Oct 11, 2012
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