Text to come.
Born at Shoal Lake on 9 February 1925, youngest son of John Roger Nesbitt and Ida Maud Brydon (1880-1951), he was educated at Shoal Lake School. His interest in the dairy industry began with his involvement with family-operated creameries at Shoal Lake, Rossburn, and Russell. Following military service in the Second World War, he received a BSA degree from the University of Manitoba (1947), an MSc degree from Ohio State University (1949), and a PhD degree in Dairy Science from Penn State University (1952).
He returned to Manitoba and was Head of the Department of Dairy Science at the University of Manitoba (1953-1966). He was a member of the Manitoba Milk Control Board (1959-1970). In the early 1960s, he served on a commission that led to formation of the Manitoba Farm Bureau in 1965. He was also involved in formation of the Keystone Agricultural Producers in 1984. In the 1970s, he established the business Nesbitt Educational Enterprises to teach communications, professional and rural development to 4H groups, Women's Institutes, and other groups and communities in Canada. He returned to the University of Manitoba as Associate Director and later Director of the School of Agriculture (1977-1988). He retired in 1988.
In 1949, he married Harriet Rea Willoughby of Regina, Saskatchewan and they had two daughters and two sons. He served on the University of Manitoba Senate, Manitoba Institute of Agrologists (President), University of Manitoba Alumni Association (President), and Rural Leadership Training Committee. He was involved with youth organizations, including Camp Wannakumbac. He was a member and Sunday School Superintendent of the Fort Garry United Church.
He died at Winnipeg on 9 March 1998. He was inducted posthumously into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame (2000).
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 10 March 1998, page 32.
“A trip down memory lane,” Shoal Lake Crossroads, 5 August 2022, page 45.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 5 November 2024
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