H. LEONARD SAWATZKY

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H. LEONARD SAWATZKY Leonard Sawatzky of Winnipeg, passed away on April 30, 2008 at the Riverview Health Centre after a brief illness. He was born in Altona MB, February 10, 1931. Leonard was predeceased by parents John H. and Elizabeth Sawatzky (nee Penner) of Gnadenfeld (Altona). He is survived by his brother Harold (Anne), sister Evelyn, nieces Maryanne, Tonya and Leila, nephews John and Howard, and his aunt Anne Sawatzky (Frank). At Leonard's request, cremation has taken place. Leonard received his B.A. from the University of Manitoba in 1961, and his Masters and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California, Berkeley in 1963 and 1967 respectively. His Ph.D. was supervised by the noted American cultural geographer, Dr. Carl Sauer. In 1963 Leonard began teaching at the University of Manitoba and was scheduled to retire on June 30, 2008. Working in the Department of Environment and Geography, he conducted research in the fields of agriculture and settlement geography. The Mennonite colonies in Mexico were his special area of interest. An avid supporter of land and wild life conservation, he also taught resource management. Many of his Masters and Ph.D. students whose work he supervised are employed in prestigious positions in government and resource agencies. Community service activities included advisory work with Ducks Unlimited and several other conservation agencies. Leonard also served in an advisory capacity to the Mennonite Central Committee. Mourning his loss are also many friends, including his longtime special friend and companion Nettie Peters, and the families of David and Helene Riesen, Lothar and Elfriede Schroeder, and George and the late Joan Wall. Leonard consistently found ways to be of service to others. Physically energetic and always generous with his time, he helped friends and neighbours with chores such as, clearing snow off driveways after a heavy snow storm, building decks and fences, and felling trees at cottages. He will be greatly missed by all. A gathering of friends to honor Leonard Sawatsky's memory will take place at a later date. Special thanks go to Dr. Yip at St. Boniface Hospital, Cancer Care at Health Sciences Centre, and to the Palliative Care Ward at Riverview Health Centre where he was grateful for the Cadillac service provided. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to: Unit 3E Palliative Care, Riverview Health Centre, 1 Morley Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4; Nature Conservancy Canada, 36 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 400, Toronto ON M4R 1A1; or The Mennonite Benevolent Society (The Mennonite Family Centre), 1045 Concordia Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S7.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2008