DR. WILLIAM OGILVIE SWINTON MEREDITH

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DR. WILLIAM OGILVIE SWINTON MEREDITH Dr. William Ogilvie Swinton Meredith passed away peacefully at St Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, SK on October 15, 2006. He was predeceased by Dorothy, his wife of 68 years, in 2005. He is survived by son Dr. John O. Meredith (Helen) of Saskatoon, two grandchildren; Scott Meredith (Jennifer) and Karla Manuel (Vance) and one great-granddaughter, Hannah Dorothy Meredith, all in Toronto. Bill was born in Fife, Scotland in 1911, the eldest of five children. He attended secondary school in Stirling, Scotland after which he apprenticed as an electrical engineer. At age 18 he came to Canada on an agricultural scholarship. He attended Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph, ON, and graduated with a B.S.A. from the University of Toronto in 1934. Bill first worked as a research chemist with the National Research Council in Ottawa. In 1937 he married Dorothy Ellen Buckingham in Hamilton, ON. Later that year the couple moved to Winnipeg, still with NRC. He completed an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry and Statistics (1939) from the University of Manitoba. During the war years he was on loan from NRC for research on food storage and alternative energy sources from oil seeds. Bill spent a year (1948) at the University of Minnesota on a Special NRC Fellowship, and completed a PhD in Biochemistry and Genetics at the University of Manitoba (1949). From 1946 to 1974 Bill was a Research Scientist, Canadian Grain Commission, Winnipeg. He was Head of Barley and Malt Research and consultant in statistics and biometrics. Bill travelled extensively as Canadian liaison to the European Brewery Convention and in relation to collaborative studies with universities around the world. On these trips he was often accompanied by his wife Dorothy. In 1967 Bill was awarded the Canada Centennial Medal for his professional contributions to Canadian barley research and development. He was a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada and a Fellow of the Institute of Brewing (UK). He was active in Scouting most of his life. He served with the 45th Winnipeg Boy Scouts at St. Paul's Church, Fort Garry from 1951 to 1973. At first he was a Scout Leader. Then, as the program grew, he served as Group Leader. He was known to several generations of boys and parents as Grey Wolf . Bill also served many years as Provincial Training Commissioner for scout leaders. He was Manitoba contingent leader for International Jamborees in 1955 and 1957 and was a sub-camp chief for the Arctic Jamboree in 1970. His dedication was recognized by the community of Fort Garry. The National Council, Boy Scouts of Canada, awarded Bill the Medal of Merit in 1956, the Silver Acorn in 1967 and in 2005 the 65 year Long Service Medal. Bill and Dorothy were early and active members of the Fort Garry Historical Society. It was responsible for saving three heritage Franco Manitoban houses from destruction. They were restored and formed the basis of a heritage museum and park at St. Norbert, MB. For this work Bill was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003. In retirement, they continued their love of travel, often joining with friends from England to spend time in Europe or New Zealand and frequently in the Canadian Rockies. Bill and Dorothy moved to Saskatoon in 1987 where they attended St. John's Cathedral. Bill will be missed by his family, friends and professional associates. He was an outstanding parent, mentor and a wonderful loving grandfather. A memorial service will be held at The Chapel of the Good Shepherd, St John's Cathedral, Saskatoon at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 28. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Luther Care Foundation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Prairie View Chapel and Crematorium. Phone (306) 242-7884.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 28, 2006