DAVID RICHARD METCALFE

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DAVID RICHARD METCALFE (Dick) father, grandfather and great grandfather, died of a heart attack at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg on Thursday, February 24, 2005 at the age of 81 years. Dick is lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy (Dodie), his son, Chris (Tracy), his daughter, Jeanne, his beloved grandchildren, Kirsten (Darren) and Ben, and his great granddaughter, Emily. He was predeceased by his father, Arthur in 1973 and his mother, Elisa Annie in 1982, his sister Doreen in 1948, his father- and mother-in-law, Fred and Gertie Seafoot, brothers-in-law, Cliff and Morris Seafoot and sister-in-law, Viola Mahoney. Dick was born at the family farm at Carroll, MB on October 14, 1923. He served with the RCAF in the Second World War from 1942 to 1945. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba in 1950, an M.Sc. from the University of Wisconsin in 1953, and a Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba in 1960. Throughout his career, he was a research scientist in plant genetics with the Canada Department of Agriculture, until his retirement in 1989. His career began at the Brandon Research Station, and in 1966, he and his family moved to Winnipeg, where he joined the staff at the Winnipeg Research Centre on the campus of the University of Manitoba. In 1964, Dick and his family moved for a year to Cambridge, England where he conducted research on two-row barley as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Trumpington Plant Breeding Institute. He was responsible for developing several new varieties of malting barley, including Norbert, Ellice, and Oxbow, and made the original cross for the development of the variety, AC Metcalfe, which was named to recognize his international contribution to barley breeding. He was a lifetime member of the Canadian Seed Growers Assoc. and for several years, he was the coordinator of the Eastern Prairie Barley Group. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie of an international group of researchers that worked in his field. Dick had a special passion for gliding, and he was a member of the Winnipeg Gliding Club for many years. He enjoyed the fellowship with other members of the club and the opportunity to introduce new members to the sport. He was a member of the United Church of Canada and served as Supt. of the Sunday School at Knox United Church in Brandon, as well as a member of several committees at Fort Garry United Church in Winnipeg. Following his retirement, Dick volunteered at Fort Whyte Nature Centre, where he enjoyed leading educational tours for school children. He was an enthusiastic participant in the fitness program at the Kinsman Reh-Fit Centre. His other hobbies included gardening, curling and reading. He had the opportunity to visit many areas of the world throughout his career and during vacations. The family wishes to thank health care staff for the emergency care provided at Victoria General Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre. We especially appreciate the many acts of kindness from family and friends. Go in peace, my love. Cremation has taken place. Thomson in the Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road in Winnipeg. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Doctor Gordon Taylor. At a future date, interment of the ashes will take place at Carroll, MB Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends are welcome to donate to the Fort Garry United Church Building Fund.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 26, 2005