MELVILLE WALLACE (BILL) CORMACK

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MELVILLE WALLACE (BILL) CORMACK On Friday, August 2, 2002 Bill Cormack passed away peacefully in Sechelt, BC in his 95th year. Born on a farm near Rossburn, MB in 1908, Bill Cormack studied at the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta before receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1936. During his 41 year career with the Canada Department of Agriculture he became one of Canadas outstanding plant pathologists. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and as a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada for his work investigating diseases affecting alfalfa and other forage crops. In 1957, he was appointed as Chief of the Department of Agriculture Research Laboratory in Saskatoon. Following his retirement in 1969 from the Department of Agriculture Laboratory in Lethbridge, he served as the Director of the Plant Breeding Station in Njoro, Kenya where he worked on the development of rust resistant wheat. After four years in Africa, Bill and Mildred retired to Davis Bay, BC, where he remained active in community life and pursued his passion for gardening for many years. He is survived by his wife Mildred Challener Smith Cormack, with whom he shared a loving relationship for 69 years; and by son Donald (Bev) daughter Olive (Rick) grandchildren, George, Cathy, Christine, Brad, Robin, Shawn, Tyler, and Amanda; and by five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son George and grandson Christopher. A memorial service was held on August 7 at St. Johns United Church in Davis Bay. He will be greatly missed by his family and by his feline companion Callie.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 08, 2002