Robert (Bob) Troy Blair was born on March 11, 1930 in Brandon, MB. His first six years were spent in Alexander, MB, where his father and uncle operated a grocery store. In 1936, his family moved to Souris, MB, where his father ran a grocery store. Blair received his primary and high school education, with the exception of Grade 12, in Souris.
Blair remembers his school years in Souris as mainly happy years. He was involved with both piano and organ music lessons. he was never interested in physical sports with the exception of golf. World War II broke out in September of 1939. Souris became the site of #17 SFTS and home base for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Many of the service men came from England, Australia and New Zealand. Blair's mother always entertained at least two for dinner every Sunday. Rationing of sugar, tea and coffee, butter and meat became a way of life. Blair had the job every Saturday of pasting the ration coupons into booklets. It was also when he was in Grade 6, that Blair realized he was more attracted to boys than to girls. Perhaps it was because so many attractive airmen surrounded him!
In November of 1947, the Blair family relocated to Alexander where Bob Blair finished his Grade 11. This was not a good year due to bullying. In September of 1948, Blair moved to Winnipeg to attend United College for his Grade 12. Upon completion of Grade 12, Blair remained in Winnipeg until June 1950. he worked at a number of businesses - Gestetner, Eaton's Mail Order shoe department, Maple Leaf Milling, and the drug store in the Medical Arts Building. In September 1950, he entered Brandon College. Blair was very active in extra-curricular affairs while at Brandon College; particularly drama. Following his B.A. he enrolled in the Education Faculty, having decided to become a teacher.
Blair's teaching career spanned 34 years. All but one year was spent in the Brandon School Division. On his first day of teaching in the Division he met the man with whom he would spend the next 46 years. He was primarily a teacher of English and Music. A highlight of his career was exchange teaching in Sacramento, California in 1961. Orientation for exchange took place in August in Washington, D.C., where Blair had the opportunity to meet President J.F. Kennedy. He vividly recals the morning that JFK was assassinated on November 22, 1963. In September 1965, Blair assumed the principalship of Park School and in September of 1969, the same position at George Fitton School where re remained until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of the Brandon Picnipals' Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and servedas President of the Brandon Teachers' Association. Among his major accomplishments during his time as principal were the introduction of a centralized school library in both Park and George Fitton Schools and the integration of special needs students into regular classroom situations wherever possible. He was made a Life Member of the Manitoba Teachers' Society (Brandon) in June 1990. Following his retirement Blair worked as a Library Automation Consultant (1989-1993).
Blair also had numerous community involvements during his time in Brandon. he was active in the Brandon Little Theatre (Best Actor Award, Manitoba Drama Festival for One Act Plays in 1963), the Brandon Festival of the Arts, the Eckhardt-Gramatte National Music Competition, and Arm Industries to name a few.
Following the death of his partner in 2001, Blair moved to Saskatoon to live with a younger gay couple. He has been active in volunteerism: as an Ambassador for the Saskatoon Airport Authority, assistant with the Saskatoon Health Region's Immunization Clinics, information clerk for the Festival of Trees, data entry clerk for the Saskatoon Music Festival, on the Board of the Saskatoon Jazz Society, and Hospitality Coordinator for the Saskatoon Jazz Festival.
As of October 2013, Bob Blair continues to live in Saskatoon, SK.
Custodial History
Records were in Blair's possession until he donated them to the Mckee Archives on Homecoming weekend October 2013.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of two scrapbooks containing 145 photographs and ephemera (play and graduation programs, tickets, pins, newspaper clippings) documenting Bob Blair's days at Brandon College. Social events and extra-curricular activities are heavily featured in the two scrapbooks. Also included are graduation portraits for the Classes of 1951, 1952 and 1953. Of the 145 photographs all are black and white except for two photos of the Class of '53 reconvocation (May 1993), and one from the Class of '53 reunion (2003).
Tears around the edges, some staining over the entire piece (none of the photos are damaged)
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the members of Brandon College Class of 1943. Writing on the back reads "To Bill, from The Knowleton's, Happy Birthday 1976."
Notes
Cliff Kitson graduated Class of 1946, Ray Bailey graduated Class of 1945, Anna Hughes graduated Class of 1944, George Gooden graduated Class of 1942. S. Morris, M. Hughes, M. Bockie, A. Flemming, M. Fahrig did not graduate. W. Orr, G. Grant, W. Goodwin, A. Armstrong all served in World War II and did not graduate. A. Armstrong was killed on active service.
Photograph of the Brandon College Capettes basketball team (1966-1967). Front Row (L to R): Jan Neddrie, Val Broadfoot, Judy Kellie, Capt. Barbara Ann Scott, Rhonda Harper. Back Row (L to R): Manager Margaret Reid, Fay Emish, Vicki Moore, Janice Doak, Coach Doug Steeves. Missing: Sandra Schneider, Linda Oakley.
Image has some small cracks across the portrait on the bottom left
Custodial History
Image was donated by Dr. Keith Evans, son of JRC Evans and nephew of Annie Evans Wright.
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the Brandon College Class of 1926.
Top row (L to R): Anita Grace Sallans; Ida Myrtle Eliason; Muriel Edith Jollow; Harriet Ada Spackman; Rose Jeane Vasey; Hon. Pres. JRC Evans; Margaret Kilgour; Myrtle Christina Evans; Edna Pearl Calverley; Eileen Muriel Ritchie; Annie Evans Wright
Bottom row (L to R): Samuel Ernest McDowell; Thomas Eric Stevens; William August Wenk; George Ralph Berquist; Joseph Lester Gayton; Joseph Clarence Hembling; Robert Hugh Wellwood; Arthur Macdonald Freeman; Harold Francis Batho; George Darragh; Theodore Charles Segsworth; Arthur Percival Macpherson
There are stains and missing pieces on the matting but the photograph itself is in good condition.
Scope and Content
Brandon College Commercial Department of 1913.
Top Row (L to R): A. Diamond; W.C. McGregor; L. Carrick; C. Stewart; E. Fortune; H.F. Shillington; A. Morrison; C. Ketcheson; E. Frampton; and H. McLeod.
Second Row (L to R): H. Burke; H. McConnell; K.J. Shaw; J. Mallory; F.S. Irving; B. Griffin; A. Scott; R. Harwood; G. Clayton; and H. Olmstead.
Third Row (L to R): G. Martin; M. Frisch; A. Burke; M. Howard; M.C. Barlour; C.M. McDonald; M. Fisher; W. Hollies; and I. Raine.
Fourth Row (L to R): G.H. Underhill; M.E. Harkness; E. Anderson; and C.O. Briggs.
Fifth Row (L to R): A. Black; J.F. McLennan; N. Ireland; S. Porter; A Evans; M. Lombard; A.J. Stevens; E. Mode; and P. Chapman.
Last Row (L to R): S. H. Lye; J. Willmott; A. Coultard; C.E. Robertson; D. Hettle; C.L. Badgley; E. Johnson; J.W. Chamber; F. Gillies; and V.G. Shillington.
Faculty in the middle: Dr. Whidden (President) and J.W. Mark (Principal).
Damage to the edges; bottom left corner is missing (names and parts of two student portraits are missing)
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the members of Brandon College's Commercial Class, 1908-1909.
Top row (L to R): H.L. Courtice; W.A. Morden; S.F. Attridge; H.L. Richarb; Annie Evans; I. Graham; L. Cunningham; A. Erickson; L.J. Courtice; K. Winton; A. Duncan; R. Rabe
Second row (L to R): L.P. Lopton; W. Morrison; E.S. Canning; J.R. Riches; J. Sinclair; A. McPherson
Thrid row (L to R): J.W. Forbes; M.I. Chase; E. Thompson; B.A. Moffat; D. McDonald; D.J. Orris; H. Lurass; L.R. Boorman; W. Courtice; H. Strong; E. Breffett
Fourth row (L to R): N. Miller; S. Fleming; A. Weden; L. Sharp; I. Patton; S.A. Gillis; U. Merrill; R. Smith; B. Moon; E. McDonald
Fifth row (L to R): R. Chapman; T. Henley; F. Chapman; J. Pollock; A. Jamieson; F. Shield; J. Kyle; W.R. McLachlan
Sixth row (L to R): [name missing female]; [name missing male]; J.A. Cameron; J. Bergstrom; C.E. Walker, C.A.; A.P. McDiarmid, M.A.D.D.; J. Peaslee; V. Speller; H. Evans; G.V.W. Lauder
Image was given to Carla Eisler in Alumni Relations by Barry Gordon in 2013. Eisler transferred it to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the Brandon College Class of 1927.
Top row (L to R): Doris Millicent Heath; Rose Alexandra Hyndman; Edith Marie Irish; Kathleen Condell; Margaret Lilian King; Ruth Eliza Willey; Ruth Ethel Clement; Leta Marian Fry; Alice Aileen Brandon; Gertrude Fanny Louise Godley; Emma Gruenke
Bottom row (L to R): Donald Alleyn Ritchie; Clarence Edmund Erickson; Lloyd Crawford; Eric Livesay Yates; Harold Pratt Clark; Hon. Pres. Cyril Richards; Robert Ormond Shuttleworth; Armand Daniel Stade; John Arvid Strahl; Denis Marland Phillpotts; John McLellan; Lawrence Gladwyn Macpherson.
Notes
Barry Gordon is the son of Ruth Eliza Gordon (nee Willey), Brandon College class of 1927. Duplicate is BUPC 9.79a
Image is warped on the right side and is coming away from its backing board
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the Brandon College Class of 1927.
Top row (L to R): Doris Millicent Heath; Rose Alexandra Hyndman; Edith Marie Irish; Kathleen Condell; Margaret Lilian King; Ruth Eliza Willey; Ruth Ethel Clement; Leta Marian Fry; Alice Aileen Brandon; Gertrude Fanny Louise Godley; Emma Gruenke
Bottom row (L to R): Donald Alleyn Ritchie; Clarence Edmund Erickson; Lloyd Crawford; Eric Livesay Yates; Harold Pratt Clark; Hon. Pres. Cyril Richards; Robert Ormond Shuttleworth; Armand Daniel Stade; John Arvid Strahl; Denis Marland Phillpotts; John McLellan; Lawrence Gladwyn Macpherson.
There is staining and warping along the bottem left hand corner. One small stain on G.H. Mann.
Custodial History
Photograph was given to Carla Eisler in Alumni Relations by Alfred James Tulloch in 2013. Eisler then gave it to the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item consists of portraits of the members of Brandon College's Business Department for 1906-1907.
Top Row (L to R): C. Brown; J. Lloyd; W.R. Iredale; R.L. Dalgleish; J.C. Brydon; J. Lochead; C.V. Johnston; M. Carey; W.H. Hoey; M. Alexander; A.G. Nelson; S.F. Lietz; A.J.H. Hearn; B. Henderson; A.C. Campbell; and E. Obleman.
Second Row (L to R): K. Cameron; E.M. Rollins; A.S. Gimby; A. Lochead; J.L. Campbell (Committee); C.I. Stewart (Com.); W. Aagaard (Vice Pres.); J.A. Perdue (Pres.); A.B. Ruth (Sec. Treas.); F. Schofield; D.R. Lamont; A. Lee; M.L. Tamblyn; and D.J. Harrison.
Third Row (L to R): A. Newton; M. Ross; V. David; E. Shillabeer; E. Turnbull; J.A. Gillis; I. Patten; E. Chesley; A. Dwyer; G.V. McArthur; A. Brown; and H. Klemm.
Fourth Row (L to R): C. Kirkland; P.A. Ruth; C. Walmsley; T. Wilson; T. Wilson; Dr. A.P. McDiarmid; Prof. Doolittle; H. Hinton; D. McNair; T. Orchard; and R. Hammond.
Fifth Row (L to R): H. Kerr; R. Muller; W.A. Vandervoort; V. Edwards; M. Anderson; W.L. Chapman; A. Lee; and A. LaPointe.
Sixth Row (L to R): I.E. Newton; G. Orchard; A. Rutherford; P. Mallory; M. Pattison; and G. Miller.
Seventh Row (L to R): T.H. Henley; W. Smith; M. McCaul; L.J. Blight; L. Shuttleworth; Chas. Dutton; F.J. Robertson; W. Holden; G. Herbert; M. Boyles; H.G. Whitman; E. Smiley; L. Neilly; C. Morrison; G.H. Mann; and J. Tulloch.
Eighth Row (L to R): Chas. Clyde; L. Whitchelo; C. Tulloch; M. Falconer; J.C. Clemment; P. Lee; M. Ritchie; W.H. Edgar; J.H. Elsey; A. Wade; W. Kahlo; J.M. Elsey; S. Falkenberg; O. Lee; L. Campbell; and F. Mann.
Ninth Row (L to R): M. McMullen; L. Sutherland; J.M. Bergstrom; and E. Haney.
Notes
Alfred James Tulloch is the son of J. Tulloch (seventh row). Duplicate is BUPC 9.72
There is some kind of residue on the left side of the image.
Custodial History
Photograph was transferred to the Archives from the Athletics Department in May 2017.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Brandon University hockey player Gary Kaluzniak holding the GPAC championship plaque aloft on the ice. George Birger is standing to his right.
Photograph was given to the Athletics Department by Dave Bauman and then transferred to the Archives in May 2017.
Scope and Content
Portrait of the Brandon University football team.
Back row (L to R): Mel Jesson, Reg Knourek, John Graham, Bruce Bonk, Al Johson (Equipment Manager)
Third row (L to R): Larry Rodenbush, Dave Bauman, Julien Hoyak, George Kunyckyj, Wayne Purdy, Len Sitter, Harry Sutcliffe
Second row (L to R): Doc Hannah (Trainer), Maurice Lang, Lorne Lagimodiere, Boyd Van Agglen, Peter Hunter, Lyle Grobb, Mr. Howard (Coach)
Front row (L to R): Dr. Hunter, Wayne McLennan, Dennis Fenton, Bruce Taylor, Pete McGrego, Bob Gladstone, Jim Wilton, Mr. Steeves (Coach).
Missing: Bob Haynes, Mark Kennedy, Dale Brawn, Hank Flemming, Al McAulay, Dennis Shindle.
Edges have curled and there is a long tear running from the bottom up towards the players in the front row. Image is also somewhat faded or overdeveloped.
Custodial History
Photograph was given to the Athletics Department by Dave Bauman and then transferred to the Archives in May 2017.
Scope and Content
Portrait of the Brandon University football team.
Back row (L to R): Gene Parks, Dave Bauman, Jim Kester, Con O'Leary, Guy Dauben, Lorne Lagimodiere, Garry Smith, Norman Joss (Manager)
Third row (L to R): Doc Hannah (Trainer), Steve Holden, Mel Jesson, Kay Bradley, Ken Mitchell, Richard Borotsik, Bob Gladstone, Al Johnson, Frank Macey (Coach)
Second row (L to R): Dr. Hunter, Wayne McLennan, Carl Iwanyshyn, Jim Jankiewicz, Bruce Misanchuk, Larry Rodenbush, Gene Hodgson, Mr. Howard (Coach)
Front row (L to R): Mr. Steeves (Coach), Peter Hagberg, Bruce Taylor, Jim Wilton, Len Sitter, Peter Hunter, Mike Sinchcombe, George Kunyckyj, Ab Clearwater (Coach)
Poor. Upper right corner is missing. Numerous creases and stains.
Custodial History
Item originally belonged to Mary Bromley. Her grandson James Frank donated it to the McKee Archives in 2017.
Scope and Content
Photograph is a group portrait of the members of The Brandon College Quill staff for 1918-1919.
Back Row (L to R): D.G. MacKnight, Matriculation, Subscription; William J. Johnson, Advertising; Rae Smale, College Gossip; Don S. Forsyth, Literary; Herman Olsen, Athletics; William A. Mackintosh, M.A., Consulting Editor.
Second Row (L to R): Muriel Carey, Clark Hall Athletics; Madge Struthers, Assistant Editor; Corday Mackay, Editor-in-Chief; Zoe Hough, Clark Hall; Jennie Turnbull, M.A., Alumni-Alumnaeque.
Front Row (L to R): Frances Wolverton, Overseas; Charles G. Whidden, Business Manager; Alexa Forsyth, Latitude and Longitude.
Notes
Reverse includes names as well as inscription "To Mary Bromley" and " Quill Staff - Brandon College." Appears in the March 1919 (Spring Number) issue of The Quill.
Photo originally belonged to Maynard Rathwell, Class of 1916. Her nephew's wife, Norie Rathwell, donated it to the McKee Archives in June 2017.
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the faculty and students of the Brandon College arts class of 1916. Image includes the class motto "Tenax Propositi" and a photo of the Brandon College Original Building and Clark Hall taken from Lorne Avenue.
Top Row (L to R): A. Howard Leash; Glora Fraser; Nettie Ross; Helen McDonald; William Robinson.
Second Row (L to R): Jean McLaren, S.J. McKee, Registrar; H.P. Whidden, President; Chester New, Honorary Class President; Maynard Rathwell
Third Row (L to R): John Linton; Andrew Rutherford
Bottom Row (L to R): Victor Coen; H.L. MacNeill; A.H. Vining; D.A. McGibbon; Henry F. Widen
Donkersloot began working at Brandon University in 1970/1971 as the Clerk of Works. From 1973 until his retirement, he was the Director of Physical Plant.
The 1960s campus expansion necessitated a large, updated heat source so a central steam plant fueled by coal was built north of the campus adjacent to the CPR rail lines on Pacific Avenue. A 25-year agreement was made between the University and John R. Brodie of the Great West Coal Company, which guaranteed BU lower coal prices tendered by the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways on an annual basis. Brandon College Engineer John Kasiurak officially opened the Heating Plant on 24 January 1962. An extension and/or upgrade of the steam plant appears to have occurred in 1970.
Until the 1990s, heat was piped underground to the campus from the Pacific Avenue Heating Plant but inspection standards were outpacing the maintenance and repairs required to keep the plant operating smoothly. Consequently, a new steam plant was built immediately adjacent to the University to the west of Darrach Hall on 20th Street. This building was essential to handling additional loads from the proposed library expansion. The original steam plant was subsequently sold.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by Tom Donkersloot during construction and stored in albums in the Physical Plant H-Hut until they were transfered to the McKee Archives by Doug Duncalf in May 2008.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the installation of a tank at Brandon University's old coal steam plant at 20th Street and Pacific Avenue. Photograph is looking northeast. There is what appears to be a warehouse and a silo in the background. The tank is being installed by a crane from Brandon Rentals.
Notes
Donkersloot recorded the date and time each photograph was taken on the back of the photos.
