Professor.
Born at Chailey, Alberta on 30 April 1933 to Matthew and Mary MacDonald, he grew up on the family farm and developed both his skill in carpentry and his passion for research through his involvement with the 4-H Club. The 4-H experience led to a full scholarship to the University of Alberta, resulting in his graduation in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and in 1960 with a Masters in Science in Nutrition. He went on to receive his doctorate in Nutrition and Biochemistry in 1963 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
While pursuing his doctorate, he met Judy Louise Ahern in the spring of 1961. They married on 30 June 1962 at Dubuque, Iowa, and went on to have five children. He received a post-doctorate Fellowship at the University of Illinois from 1963 to 1964, and the following year began his career as a Professor at Macdonald College at McGill University. In 1968 he accepted an academic post at the University of Manitoba. As a professor, he served the University with distinction until his retirement in 1998, and received many awards and accolades for his roles as lecturer, researcher, and administrator. In 1992, he chaired the first Nutrition Advisory Panel for the Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA). Following his retirement, he was honoured to have the title Professor Emeritus conferred on him, and a scholarship set up in his name.
He then continued working as Executive Director of the Manitoba Health Research Council from 1997 to 2004. He also served in appointments for Health Canada/Heart and Stroke Canada and the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. Over the course of his career, he authored 25 scientific papers, seven book chapters, and two books. Of particular interest to him was studying and writing articles about the nutritional value of canola oil.
His summers were partly spent travelling to Dubuque and to Manville, Alberta to visit family. As his children grew older, he and his wife established a summer tradition when they designed and built the family cottage near Kenora, Ontario.
He died at Winnipeg on 27 April 2012 and was buried in the St. Vital Cemetery.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 2 May 2012.
“Bruce Eugene McDonald,” Canada Burial Records Index (Winnipeg).
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 16 June 2026
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