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PROFESSOR M. G. WIEBE (Melvin) (Mel)
Date of Passing: Aug 15, 2022
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
PROFESSOR M. G. WIEBE
1939-2022
Melvin George (Mel) Wiebe, died at the Kingston Health Science Centre on August 15, 2022.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Dr. Lola Cuddy; his son Alexander (Barbara Riley); two sisters, Victoria (the late Al Strang) and Ruth (the late Dave Enns); two brothers, Ron (Clara) and Charles Timothy (Ellen Anderson); and sister-in-law Melba Cuddy-Keane. He was predeceased by his parents, George J. Wiebe and Helena (Rempel) Wiebe of Lowe Farm, Manitoba; baby sister Leona; and his mother-in-law, Melba E. Cuddy of Kingston. He will be fondly remembered by his nieces, Kathryn, Elizabeth, Laurie, and Jennifer, and their families, as well as by countless colleagues and friends.
Mel was among the world's foremost Benjamin Disraeli scholars. He directed the Disraeli Project at Queen's University from 1982 until his retirement in 2004 and came to the office regularly until the Project was closed in 2015. Under his supervision, ten volumes of the Benjamin Disraeli Letters series were published, the last one garnering the prestigious 2016 Robert Lowry Patten Award for the best recent study in nineteenth-century British literary studies. Mel was an avid sports fan, particularly for curling and tennis; he loved classic British television, cryptic crosswords, and opera. He had a natural talent for leading hymns from the keyboard and cooking steaks on the barbecue. In all his endeavours he combined a scholar's knowledge with the warmest of hearts.
The family thank the physicians who took such good care of Mel over his last years: Drs. John Stalker, Brian Kain, Ian Casson, Alenia Kysela, Aws Almufleh, and the kind residents and staff on Davies 3 of the KHSC.
Interment of Mel's ashes will be in the family plot at Old St. James Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, the Primates World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), Doctors Without Borders, or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at Robert J. Reid & Sons Funeral Home www.reidfuneralhome.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 20, 2022
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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I first met frater Mel Wiebe in 1958 when he was a member of an unusual group of men on the U of Manitoba campus who became charter members of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. We resumed our contact during a chapter reunion on campus in 2008. Our next contact was in Kingston, Ontario, while my wife and I were cruising in our boat through that region. Mel and Lola, nominally retired professors at Queens University, were most gracious hosts giving us a tour of Kingston and later showed us the Lake on the Mountain near Picton, Ontario, where we dined at the Funky Carp. The Wiebe's were warm friends over many years and we are grateful for the relationship. May frater Wiebe Rest in Peace! - Posted by: Bruce B. Melchert (Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity brother) on: Aug 30, 2022
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In 2007, I replaced Mel as director of the Disraeli Project at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Yet truth be told, there was no replacing Mel: he knew far more about Benjamin Disraeli and the intricacies of Victorian parliamentary politics than anyone on the planet. Mel was an exemplary mentor: modest about his vast knowledge, always willing to share it, and gentle in his critique when I dropped the editorial ball. His generosity to his Disraelites (as I dubbed our small editorial team) was unstinting: he spent hours reading our work and a fortune on lunches at the University Club. We were his extended family. And Mel was also (politically incorrectly) funny as hell. And he loved my daughter Angéline, who was born the year I replaced him. But as I said: there’s no replacing Mel. Michel Pharand - Posted by: Michel Pharand (colleague and friend) on: Aug 25, 2022
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In June, 2007 Mel received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manitoba, which was just one indication of the regard for his scholarship and his person by so many of his academic colleagues and friends here. I am sad that he has gone for he was also a very kind and gracious man. My condolences to Lola and his family. Sincerely, Emoke Szathmary President Emeritus, University of Manitoba - Posted by: Emoke Szathmary (colleague) on: Aug 22, 2022
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Sending our condolences to Melvin's Family and Siblings Vicki, Ruth, Ron, Timmy and theirs. Although time and distance have separated us, we remember the warm connections made in our youth at the home of your parents. We too have experienced loss this year with three more of the family leaving us but we look forward to the Hope that is ours in Jesus and that great reunion in His Kingdom. Till then.. Charlotte (Murner) and Gordon Dyck, Campbell River, BC - Posted by: Gordon & Charlotte Dyck (Cousin) on: Aug 20, 2022
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Deepest sympathy Ron and Ruth on the loss of your brother Mel. Take care of each other. Marsden & Edna Edwards - Posted by: Edna Edwards (friend) on: Aug 20, 2022