DUFF ROBLIN (published on June 01, 2010)
| THE HONOURABLE DUFF ROBLIN PC, CC, OM, LLD, DCL 1917 - 2010 Following a brief illness, Duff Roblin died peacefully in the late afternoon of May 30, 2010 at the Victoria Hospital. He is survived by his wife Mary; his son Andrew of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, his former daughter-in-law Patricia, and grandchildren Lily and Rachel; his daughter Jennifer of Toronto (Craig Lathrop), grandchildren Sian, Bronwen, and Euan; his sister Marcia of Barrie, Ontario and his brother Rod of Winnipeg; and numerous nieces and nephews. Born June 17, 1917 in Winnipeg, the son of Charles D. and Sophia May Roblin and the grandson of Sir R. P. Roblin, Premier of Manitoba from 1900 to 1915, Duff Roblin was educated in Winnipeg schools and studied at the University of Manitoba and the University of Chicago. He was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature as an Independent Progressive Conservative in 1949 and was re-elected in five subsequent general elections. Chosen leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1954, he was elected premier in 1958, which office he held until he retired from office in 1967. The reform, improvement and expansion of the educational system in all its aspects was his first priority and was the achievement from which he derived the greatest satisfaction. However, his initiative in advocating and building the Red River Floodway, and the Floodway's subsequent positive impact, caught the public imagination in an enduring way and, became an important element of his legacy as a public man. In 2001, the Floodway was declared a National Historic Site in recognition of it as an outstanding example of Canadian engineering and technology and in recognition of its broader significance in humankind's age-old struggle to find accommodation with nature. Appointed to the Senate in 1978, he was an active member until 1992. He served as Leader of the Government in the Senate from 1984 to 1986. Following his retirement he chaired an important provincial commission on post-secondary education in which he returned to the over-riding focus of his whole public life. There will be a private funeral service. A Book of Condolence will be open in the rotunda of the Manitoba Legislature. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing to commemorate his life and career may wish to consider donations to the Duff Roblin Scholarship Fund at the University of Winnipeg, the Duff Roblin Professorship at the University of Manitoba or the Duff Roblin Fellowship Fund at the University of Manitoba. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com |
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