GLEN DENNIS BUHR

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GLEN DENNIS BUHR

November 11, 1933 - July 18, 2026

Glen Buhr died of heart failure on the flight line at the Winnipeg Gliding Club on July 18th, 2026, at the age of 92.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his daughter, Pamela Buhr, and his son, Glenn Buhr.

Glen will be mourned by many loving friends and his large family: Pamela's daughter Dorian Dzikowski, Pamela’s husband Gord Park; Glenn's wife, Margaret Sweatman, and his children: Jennifer Buhr, Erin Johns, Stephen Buhr and Nicholas Buhr. He was the cherished brother of Carole Buhr. Glen was loved and admired by all his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Andrea Delisle, Jocelyn Park, Bailey Harris, and Hillery Taylor. He also leaves behind thirteen great-grandchildren.

Glen’s childhood was centred in the town of Bowsman, Manitoba, where his father was the principal of the K to 12 school. They lived in a single storey house heated by wood. The bathroom was an outhouse, and bathing was in a washtub parked in front of the kitchen stove in winter. (The town of Bowsman made the cover of Time magazine in 1967, when their Centennial project was a bonfire of all the outhouses in town when the town’s central sewer system was completed).

Aviation was Glen's lifelong obsession, and it was fitting that he passed just before taking off in a glider. He was a master pilot, a gifted flying instructor, and a member of the Winnipeg Gliding Club for 59 years, serving as treasurer for 54 of those years. As a young boy, he built model airplanes, some of which were developed from his own drawings and had functional engines. That passion led him to the Winnipeg Gliding Club when he was in his early 30's, and there he discovered what he would love for the rest of his life: piloting small aircraft without any visible means of support. The family is grateful to the people at the Winnipeg Gliding Club for their constant friendship and inspiration over many years.

Glen married Glenda Hamm in 1952, and they were together until Glenda's death in 2022. Glenda's last few years were made difficult by dementia, but Glen insisted on taking on the very challenging duties of primary caregiver. It was a difficult period but brought the family together in the same Transcona home that they’d shared for a lifetime.

Glen was a chartered accountant and worked for the Teacher's Retirement Allowances Fund Board from 1963 to 1988 as Secretary-Treasurer, retiring at age 55. Through his influence, the Board set up a company and began to make investments in commercial real estate and insured mortgages. The fund grew significantly during his tenure because of that. He traveled regularly all over Canada and into the United States, representing the new company by scouting for investments.

Glen and Glenda traveled often. Over the years, they explored much of Canada and many regions of the United States on road trips. In 1995, they found a lovely area in Harlingen, Texas, and spent the winters there until 2019. They made many close friends in Texas; the annual migration south became an essential part of their lives.

Glen was a fine athlete, excelling at curling, water skiing, golfing and lawn bowling. He was also a softball pitcher on competitive teams both in the Rio Grande Valley and in Winnipeg. Just a few days before his death, Glen's golf score for eighteen holes was 91, a year younger than his age. It is testament to his kindness and intelligence, that he was a sought-after golf partner (and billiards opponent) in his old age.

Anyone who knew Glen would know that he wouldn’t have wanted a fuss. Instead of a celebration in person, the family would love to see any celebration messages, photos, and especially stories on his Tribute Page. There, we can all enjoy seeing how Glen touched your life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Winnipeg Gliding Club.

Tribute Link: seasonsfunerals.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 01, 2026