|
|||||||||
Memorable Manitobans: Robert Peter “Bob” Purves (1927-1997)
Grain executive. Born at Winnipeg in 1927, one of three sons of Robert A. Purves and Helen K. McPherson, he received a Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba in 1948 then joined the Inter-Ocean Grain Company, serving as its President from 1962 to 1988. He served as President of Winnipeg Grain Exchange (1971-1972) and an advisor to the Canadian Grain Commission. He served on the boards of the Bank of Nova Scotia, Mutual Life of Canada, Greater Winnipeg Gas Company, and Grain Insurance and Guarantee. On 16 November 1957, he married Doreen M. Tynan. They had four children: John A. Purves, Margaret J. Purves, Peter D. Purves, and Helen D. Purves. He served on the Board of Regents for the University of Winnipeg, from which he received an honorary doctorate in 1996. He was an Associate Member of the Corporate Higher Education Forum of Canada, and he served on the boards of St. Amant Centre, Winnipeg General Hospital (Health Sciences Centre), Winnipeg Foundation, Winnipeg Art Gallery, St. John’s Ravenscourt School, and St. Andrew’s River Heights United Church. He was a member of the Manitoba Club, Winnipeg Winter Club, Masons, Khartum Shriners, Royal Order of Scotland, and Royal Order of Jesters. He was President and Treasurer of the Winnipeg Flying Club and the Royal Canadian Flying Clubs Association. He served as Honorary Consul of Finland for Manitoba and was appointed an Officer in the Order of the White Rose by the government of Finland in 1984. He received a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977. He died at Winnipeg on 16 February 1997. Sources:Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 18 February 1997, page 32. Biographical profile, Scrapbook, The Winnipeg Foundation. This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough. Page revised: 30 October 2022
|
|||||||||
|