RONALD IAN HECTOR MCKENZIE

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RONALD IAN HECTOR MCKENZIE Sincerity, Personal Integrity, Humility, Courtesy, Wisdom, and Charity It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, on Friday, January 9, 2015, at the age of 84 years, in Winnipeg. Ron was predeceased by his parents, Anna and John, Saskatoon, SK; and his brothers, Colin, Brooks, AB and Ray, Detroit, MI; and sister Mary, PA. He is lovingly remembered and will be forever missed by his wife of 63 years, Gwen; his four children: David (Cindy), Conception Bay South, NF, Lynn (John), Hillside Beach, MB; Marjorie, Surrey, BC and Susan, Winnipeg; his nine grandchildren, Greg, Mark, Michael, Scott, Debby, Stephen, Jill, Catherine and Jacquie; his sister-in-law Johanna McKenzie and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many extended family and friends near and far. Ron was born in Saskatoon on October 8, 1930 and grew up on a grain farm near Hanley, SK. He went to high school in Saskatoon and graduated with a B. Sc. Degree in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in 1951, where he married his chemistry lab partner Gwen, and completed his Masters in Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan in Plant Breeding and Statistics in 1954. His barley breeding dissertation resulted in a PhD Degree in Plant Genetics from the University of Minnesota in 1957. Ron began his research scientist career as a crop breeder in Indian Head, SK in 1957. Two years later he was promoted to the eastern Canadian prairies oat breeding position, at the Ag Canada Research Station in Winnipeg, MB. He was further promoted attaining the highest level of Research Scientist possible in 1983, following a breakthrough sabbatical year in Palmerston N, NZ. Ron was innovative and creative both in technical scientific matters and in program development. Through his associations in NZ, he created an exchange program whereby plant breeders in Canada could take advantage of alternating the planting of experimental breeding lines in the N Hemisphere in our summers, and in the S Hemisphere during our winters. The result was a major acceleration in the development of grain varieties for the Canadian prairies, with improvements in yield, grain quality and disease resistance. As a scientist, Ron led in the design and development of experimental plot technology through advanced equipment for seeding and harvesting. Ron was rigorous in his scientific work, ensuring that it was of high quality and publishable in international scientific journals. He was a prolific writer. He also was very generous and cooperative with his colleagues in Canada and abroad. He welcomed graduate students and other professionals to work in his programs. He was sensitive to industrial needs for specific oat types, and delivered what was needed. His many colleagues and students fondly remember him for his positive and cooperative nature. Ron was proficient in his having produced eight successful oat cultivars in addition to his numerous research publications. Late in his career, Ron switched from oat to wheat breeding. He considered one of his most satisfying achievements was working with colleagues to develop midge resistant wheat lines. The wheat midge was a developing threat to prairie wheat production. He also was involved in the development of a new class of wheat, the Prairie Spring class. This is a high yielding class particularly suited to the Japanese requirements in the production of udon noodles. Ron remained semi-active in his research work after retirement from an Emeritus position in 2003, co-authoring a manuscript for publication in 2014. In many ways Ron was a pioneer and was truly dedicated to improve the livelihoods of farmers and the health of the food industry locally and internationally. He was a man who genuinely loved going to work each day. Ron was a loving spouse, a true family man and a loyal and caring friend. He had an enquiring mind and a firm belief in physical activity, life-long learning, and travelling to expand knowledge and wisdom. His interests were many and varied; curling, golf, the Winnipeg Jets, Blue Bombers, travelling and visiting family, history, science, geography, gardening, genealogy, reading, walking, New Zealand, at first for work and later for the friends and the golfing, always sharing his leisure time with his wife, friends and family. He was also a very humble man. He had a ready smile and a twinkle in his eye that made you feel just right with the world. After he retired, Ron and Gwen travelled to New Zealand for three to four months at a time. There, they pursued their favourite pastime, golfing. Gwen believes Ron is looking down at all of us with a beautiful smile on his face as he continues to play up there on the golf course in the sky. The celebration of Ron McKenzie's life will be held at the Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road, Winnipeg at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 2015. Flowers may be sent to the church or donations may be made in Ron's memory to Siloam Mission or Salvation Army. The church requests no lilies please. May thy ball lie in green pastures... and not in still waters. - Author Unknown

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 30, 2015