Memorable Manitobans: Victor Merlyn Batzel (1935-2009)

Historian.

Born at Dodge Center, Minnesota on 6 April 1935, and educated at the University of Minnesota (BA), University of Connecticut (MA) and the University of Iowa (PhD), he worked as a professor of history at the University of Winnipeg for 35 years. In 1971, he recieved the first Clifford Robson Award for Excellence in Teaching. He also served on many administrative roles at the University of Winnipeg, with terms on the Senate and Board of Regents, as CAUT President and Chair of the History Department. He became a Fellow of United College [University of Winnipeg] in 1999. For thirteen years, he enjoyed writing the program essays for the Virtuosi Concerts, serving as Chair of the Virtuosi Board from 1994 to 2004. Not much of an athlete in his youth, although a great sports fan, he became well-known in the local sports community later in life. He served first as President of the Windsor Community Centre in the 1970s, before becoming President of the Greater Winnipeg Minor Soccer Assocation and finally the Manitoba Soccer Association from 1992 to 1997. He served on the Canadian Soccer Association Board from 1992 to 1997, being honoured by the CSA for contributions to Canadian soccer in 1999. He died at Winnipeg on 1 January 2009.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 7 January 2009.

This page was prepared by Kris Keen.

Page revised: 1 April 2016

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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