Bruce FORREST

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

FORREST: Bruce James Forrest passed away peacefully in Brandon Manitoba on October 9, 2013 following a long battle with cancer. In his last days he was surrounded by his sister Donna and many close friends. Bruce was born on July 31, 1950 in Clinton, Ontario and grew up on the family farm near Hensall, Ontario. Bruce graduated from University of Western Ontario with a B. Sc., from Bishop's University with an M. Sc. and from Simon Fraser University with a Ph. D. in Chemistry. During his career he held positions at University of Waterloo and at Dalhousie University. Bruce joined Brandon University and the Department of Chemistry in July 1986 as an NSERC funded Associate Professor. His research focused around the use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to determine the structure of biological membrane systems, an area in which he was internationally renowned. In addition to teaching the various Physical Chemistry courses, Bruce taught first year Chemistry to several generations of students, and his dry wit and assurance of academic rigor will be long remembered. Bruce served as Department Chair on numerous occasions most latterly from 2004 until his leave in 2010. During this tenure as Chair, Bruce diligently kept the Department on an even keel despite annual academic budget cuts, ensuring as far as possible that student academic programming retained appropriate levels of quality and rigor. In recent years Bruce established the first student scholarship in Physical Chemistry at Brandon University. Bruce served in many other roles within the University community in particular as Chair of the Pension Trustees and President of the Faculty Association. Bruce was an avid baseball fan, in particular the New York Yankees. Bruce’s office was testament to his other passion, wood-working, something that was readily apparent to everyone who stopped in to ask a question or seek advice. His dry wit, forthright advice, financial acumen, and passion for preserving the integrity of academic traditions and labor relations will be sadly missed. The family sincerely thanks the staff of the Assiniboine Center in Brandon for their loving care. Bruce is survived by his mother Elva Forrest, St. Catharines, Ontario, siblings Robert Forrest, Hensall, Ontario, Donna Forrest Pressley, East Lansing, Michigan and Joan McCullough, Riverside, California and many cousins and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Edison Forrest and his beloved wife Jane (Cleasby) Forrest. The date is yet to be determined for a memorial service that will take place at Brandon University. Burial will be at Hensall Union Cemetery, Hensall, Ontario. Donations can be made in his memory to The Dr. Bruce and Mrs. Jane Forrest Scholarships for Honours/Majors Chemistry which was established with his estate. Cheques can be made payable to “Brandon University Foundation” and can be sent to: Brandon University Department of Institutional Advancement 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 12, 2013