Advanced Search:


Regular Search
❮ Go Back to Listings

DONALD C. ARCHIBALD

Date of Passing: Jan 18, 2000

Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DONALD C. ARCHIBALD Peacefully at home in Toronto on Tuesday, January 18, 2000 in his 94th year. Beloved husband of Dr. A. Marguerite Archibald and greatly loved father of Janet Archibald; Dr. Stuart Archibald, his wife Dr. Marilyn Archibald; Ian Archibald, his wife Marlene Archibald; and Dr. Merrin Thomson (nee Archibald) and her husband Ross Thomson; greatly loved grandfather of nine grandchildren. Donald Archibald was a graduate of the University of Manitoba, (M.Sc.), and Princeton University (M.A.). In 1930, he was appointed Superintendent, Western Airways Weather Forecasting Service, where he established a meteorological reporting service for the airmail service in Western Canada. In 1933-1934 he studied Meteorology in Europe, mainly in Norway and in Germany, but also in Austria, Czechoslovakia, Italy and the UK. He then trained meteorologists, organized the weather service and established offices in various cities in Western Canada for the airmail service from 1938 to 1943. For the war effort, he organized the weather service along the north-west staging routes. From 1943-1946 he established, along with the US Capitals, weather bureau capitals, the five joint arctic weather stations at Resolute, Eureka, Mould Bay, Isachsen and Alert, the most northerly land weather station in the world. In 1946, he was appointed Chief of the Basic Weather Service for Canada, governing the surface weather stations and inspection services, and upper air and arctic and ice reconnaissance programs. In 1971, he was awarded the Patterson Medal for distinguished service in meteorology and retired as Chief Basic Weather Services Atmospheric Environmental Service. On February 4, 1998, Donald Archibald was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. A devout Christian, who believed in sharing his faith in Jesus, he was active for many years in Knox Presbyterian Church (Spadina) and supported many foreign missions. Special thanks go to Dr. Philip Hebert and the Toronto Sunnybrook Family Practice Unit for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knox Presbyterian Church, Missions Fund, 630 Spadina Ave., Toronto, M5S 2H4, or the Family Practice Unit, Toronto Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, 2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto, M4N 3M5. Friends may call at the TRULL FUNERAL HOME, "NORTH TORONTO CHAPEL", 2704 Young St. (5 blocks south of Lawrence) on Thursday, January 20, 2000 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, 630 Spadina Ave. (corner of Spadina and Harbord) on Friday, January 21 at 2:00 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2000

❮ Go Back to Listings