DONALD MCMASTER

Condolences & Memories (10 entries)

• My favorite teacher at REC who made a difference. He had the time and patience to teach students Math after hours. That was a teacher who knows that the student can learn. A wonderful person. - Posted by: Rita Zimmerman (student) on: Aug 03, 2024

• They both left an indelible mark on my memories. She was my favorite teacher, teaching grade 6 at the old <torn down> Birds Hill School. I remember always seeing them together and knew in my heart that eventually they would marry. Thank you both for all your years teaching. - Posted by: Lenore nee Sulkers (student) on: Dec 23, 2023

• My father always treasured Don's friendship since university days. He has many of his paintings hanging on his walls in Australia. Vale Don McMaster. - Posted by: Barry McKay (son of close friend) on: Nov 25, 2023

• Don was an amazing Artist & we are lucky to have one of his paintings. Don also taught members how to mount fish & pheasants & enjoyed by many of the members over the years. Gary & Marge - Posted by: Gary Schmidt (Manitoba fly fishing Club for many years) on: Nov 07, 2023

• So sorry to learn of Don's passing. I enjoyed the occasional visit at his home and studio. His presence and volunteering at the Mb. Art Expo was always appreciated and his paintings were a big attraction that uplifted all viewers. He will be greatly missed. Hubert & Sharon Theroux - Posted by: HUBERT THEROUX (friend & cabin neighbor) on: Nov 03, 2023

• I began teaching at River East Collegiate in 1965, where Don was a youngish V. P. at the time. Don was a supportive mentor and a 5 star role model for me during those 1st few years, as well as leaving me with many life lessons. He had an amazing number of outside interests which, he could expound on expertly. The last time I spoke/saw him was at the Glesby Centre in P. la P., where he was showing his incredible chronological painting exhibit featuring the explorer, David Thompson, which took up 3 walls of the centre!!! To a life well lived, Ed Gilroy - Posted by: Ed Gilroy (Friend) on: Nov 02, 2023

• We were very sorry to hear of Don's recent passing. We were students at Kildonan-East in the early 1970s when Don was vice-principal and although we never found ourselves in the principal's office at that time, we do remember his Intro. to Egg Tempera workshop at the Gimli Leadership Centre. Then, at a 50 year alumni event about 5 years ago, we met up again. He didn't remember us but we certainly remembered him! Since then, we joined Ardythe and Don at their home at Prairie Bluff and got a first-hand tour of the Bittersweet ski trails, we met up at Art Expo a few times before the pandemic, and we hosted Don at the Faculty after we donated two of his paintings to the University. At that time, he talked about his time at the university and what he was trying to achieve through his paintings. Then, early last December, we were invited to an art give-away that Laura and Ardythe organized. What a wonderful way of bringing people who appreciated his art together! Our condolences go to Ardythe, Laura, Glen and the rest of the family at this time. You have lost your patriarch but Don's spirit and love of the natural world will live on in all of you! - Posted by: David & Lynda Mandzuk (Former students, and Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba) on: Nov 01, 2023

• My recollections of Don McMaster date back to the late 1960's as like-minded members of the Manitoba Naturalists Society. Don and Ardythe were prominent members of the Society who collectively and individually over a lifetime left an indelible mark on the people they encountered and befriended- striving to better the state of the natural world and foster through activism and art the wonder of Manitoba's natural world. They understood that people needed to have meaningful first hand experiences with the natural world in order to love it and fight for its continued well being. For many of us the conservation and enjoyment of wild things in wild places was their legacy. I say their legacy because Don and Ardythe were very much a team in all of life's endeavours. I have vivid memories of Don in some venue or another leading seminars on outdoor survival and the art of fashioning arrow heads in First Nations traditional ways. Don through his art was a mainstay at the annual Art Expo show at the Winnipeg race track and numerous other venues. The degree of realism he captured in his aspen parkland and prairie grassland landscapes was outstanding. He painted what he loved and it showed. He was a remarkable man who made a difference. My condolences to Ardythe and family. - Posted by: Ted Muir (fellow naturalist) on: Oct 29, 2023

• We were privileged to get to know Don on the ski trails. He was an inspiration to live life to the fullest! - Posted by: Paula and Jean Bazin (Acquaintances) on: Oct 28, 2023

• We met Don and Ardythe at many Art Expo shows where he was showcasing his beautiful artwork. He was a gentle, kind person who could see the beauty in the nature surrounding him. Our condolences to the Family. - Posted by: Pam & Guy StGodard (Acquaintances) on: Oct 28, 2023