DAVID GORDON HENDERSON

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DAVID GORDON HENDERSON It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Gordon Henderson, after a lengthy illness, on Thursday, August 2, 2012. He is survived by: his beloved wife Claire Noreen Henderson; son William Bruce (Dianne); daughter Elisabeth Gail Lapp (Ron); son Robert Paul Henderson, grandson Ryan (Andrea) and great-grandson Oliver; and granddaughters Barbara (Thaddeus), Christine (Steve) and Pamela (Andrew). David is also survived by his sisters, Phyllis Schioler (Mike), Barbara Sudermann, and Naomi Mann (Bill), as well as many nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his father David Clarence and mother Caroline Edith Henderson, brother James Dorland, and brother-in-law Dr. Peter Sudermann. David was born on September 27, 1928 in Winnipeg. He had fond memories of his youth on Baltimore Road. He went to Kelvin High School, and the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture graduating with Bachelor and Masters degrees in Town Planning. He began his professional career with the Metropolitan Planning Commission of Greater Winnipeg. He was then recommended to become the first Director of Planning for the City of Fort William, Ontario. In 1957, David became the first Director of Municipal Affairs of Manitoba. This provided professional planning services to some 35 municipalities outside of Winnipeg. His most notable work was the location and design for the development of Thompson, MB In 1965 he joined Reid Crowther Engineers and Architects to head up their new regional planning division. At this time, he was also the Director of the Regional Boundaries Commission. In 1970 Lloyd Axworthy invited David to be Research Associate at the newly created Institute of Urban Studies at the University of Winnipeg. David was then appointed as Winnipeg's Commissioner of Planning and Social Services with the newly created Unicity, in 1972. He served on the Board of Commissioners with distinction until his retirement in 1988. After his retirement, among other things he was working toward a Master of Divinity degree at the University of Winnipeg. David's other interests included being a long-time member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, a member of The Rotary Club of Winnipeg, and at Charleswood United Church. David grew up with summers at Victoria Beach and loved all his years there with golf, the beach, and family times. For much of his life, he sang in church choirs, as well as the Winnipeg Philharmonic and Bison Men's Chorus. Family was always a key to David's life. He and Noreen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 18, 2011 at the home of their son Bruce and daughter-in-law Dianne. Last Christmas he told the family he was the luckiest man in the world to have this family. The family wishes to thank the staff of station 2 at Tuxedo Villa for their care and support in the last months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army. Funeral services will be held at Charleswood United Church, 4820 Roblin Blvd., at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, Reverend Joanne Kury officiating. Reception to follow. Honorary pallbearers will be: Mr. Bill Mann, Mr. Mike Schioler, Mr. Gord Saunders, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Mr. Ken Jardine and Mr. Justice Gordon Barkman.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2012