Agriculturalist, inventor.
Born at Bussy sur Moudon, Switzerland on 14 October 1930, he came to Manitoba in 1952 where he worked as an agricultural mechanic for Elie Motors. He was one of Manitoba’s pioneer aerial applicators, establishing Elie Airspray, a custom pesticide application company serving Elie area farmers for 20 years. In 1975 Versatile Manufacturing hired him to manage its assembly and repair facility in Algeria, where he trained people in the service and repair of farm equipment. In 1977, he founded Valmar, a manufacturer of pneumatic pesticide applicators. He held many patents including designs for cultivators, sprayer chassis, air booms, metering systems, convertible vehicles, combines, steering/suspension and boom/suspension systems. He received the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers Honorary Member Award for his contributions to the crop input industry. In 2004, he was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame (2004) and Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame (2007). He died at Winnipeg on 14 September 2006.
Citation, Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 16 September 2006.
“They will not be forgotten” by Kevin Rollason, Winnipeg Free Press, 7 January 2007, page B1.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 15 September 2023
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