Robert James (RJ) Campbell was born on January 16, 1905 on Section 14-11-23 in the RM of Woodworth. He attended Education Point School. RJ worked in the Rivers area on a number of farms, then in 1925 went to Regina and worked in a garage. He returned to Manitoba shortly thereafter to work on his uncle's farm and then on the home farm with his mother until 1935. RJ married Edith Marian Bell (1913-2010) on December 23, 1937, and together they had two sons: Cordell and Urschel.
The family lived on the farm in the Brierwood district south of Harding until 1946, when they moved to Halls Bridge district north of Griswold where they continued to farm until 2006. RJ built all of the buildings on the farm including "Halls Bridge Dance Garden" in 1966. He loved to sing square dance calls, and along with Marian, travelled a great deal in North America and Europe, as well as a trip to the Soviet Union. Due to ill health, RJ moved to Hillcrest Place Personal Care Home in 2006. Robert Campbell died on February 14, 2007 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Griswold Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Robert Campbell about farming in the 20th century. Interviewer is Phyllis M. Cairns.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Campbell's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Principal of Normal School 1913-1938; author of Hales' Botany text.
His collection of mounted birds and animals - what was left of it after improper storage in various places, damage and dispersals - found a home as the B.J. Hales Natural History Museum at Brandon College in 1965.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Some of the pages and photographs in the scrapbooks have become loose
History / Biographical
Verda Joan McDonald (nee Peden) was born in Brandon, MB on May 2, 1934. She was the middle daughter of Bill, a school principal, and Phyllis Peden. McDonald attended school at King George, Alexandra (now Betty Gibson), Earl Oxford and Brandon Collegiate Institute.
In 1951, McDonald enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at Brandon College. A fellowship program from the local YMCA enabled her to teach gym and swim programs after school and on Saturday for a small salary, which enabled her and some other students to finance their education. She graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her graduating year, McDonald served as Lady Stick for Brandon College; the title of Lady Stick was an elected position and an honour, and gave McDonald and the person elected Senior Stick, Frank McKinnon, the responsibility of leading the student council for that year. In 1956, McDonald obtained her Bachelor of Pedagogy degree, also from Brandon College, which allowed her to teach grades 1 to 12 in Manitoba.
Verda married her college sweetheart, Dick McDonald, on August 25, 1956, and the couple moved to Dauphin to teach at the Dauphin Collegiate and Technical Institute for two years. They returned to Brandon in September 1958, and Verda proceeded to teach at Brandon Collegiate, Neelin High School and Vincent Massey until December 1960.
When Dick finished his degree at Brandon College and started teaching, Verda stayed at home to raise their three sons, Rick, Paul and Daren. During this time she began her many years of volunteering within the community. She served seven years on each of the following three boards: The Brandon Schools Instrumental Music Association; The Brandon University Alumni Board; and The Board of Fairview Nursing Home. She became President of each board during her term.
McDonald supported her husband throughouet his teaching and financial career, as well as his strong involvement in the Artillery Reserve Army with the 26th Field Regiment where he served as Commander and later Honorary Colonel. Both McDonald and her husband maintained strong ties with Brandon University and have contributed generously to funding campaign and scholarships. The Sports Wall of Fame in the Health Living Centre on the Brandon University campus is named in their honour.
In addition to their involvement with Brandon University, the McDonald's were members of the Kinsmen, K40 service club, gold and bridge clubs and enjoyed many years together in Brandon. They enjoyed going on cruise ship holidays and visited many countries together.
Since Dick's death in September 2015, Verda has tried to maintain her involvment in university activities. She continues to reside in Brandon, MB.
Custodial History
Records were created and collected by Verda McDonald during her years as a student and alumna of Brandon College/Brandon University. The records were stored in her home until their donation to the McKee Archives in 2015.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records dealing with Verda McDonald's experiences as a student and alumna at Brandon College/University. The majority of the collection contains records from the early 1950s during McDonald's college years (1951-1955). These records, which cover the social and athletic aspects of Brandon College in the 1950s, provide a detailed look at college student life during this time period. The collection also contains a small number of records (1955-2005), documenting McDonald's experiences as an alumna of Brandon College/University.
The collection consists of four scrapbooks, which contain photographs, newspaper clippings, graduation cards, lyrics for class songs, and programs for graduation banquets, school dances, graduation ceremonies and drama productions. The scrapbooks also contain ephemera such as sports emblems, table decorations, election paraphernalia. It also includes McDonald's oath of office from when she was sworn in as Lady Stick, as well as her acceptance speech from the same ceremony.
The three file folders in the collection include: a list written by Frank McKinnon, a classmate of McDonald's, outlining his reasons for coming to Brandon College and his recollections of being a student at Brandon College; the rules of Clark Hall residence hall; and pamphlets for various celebrations and events at Brandon University (Homecoming 2009, Homecoming 2006, Reunion Weekend 2005, Reunion Weekend 2004, Homecoming 1995 and 1995 Reconovocation program, Homecoming 1980, 1975 Open House).
Finally, the collection contains 18 loose photographs. A number of the photos document important reunions for the Class of 1955 (40th Anniversary in 1995, 50th Anniversary in 2005), while others were taken at alumni events over the years (1988-1997). There is one postcard of Brandon University buildings (Original Building and Clark Hall, McMaster Hall and the Queen Elizabeth II School of Music building). Some of the 1995 reunion photos include images of the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall under renovation. Also included are a composite portrait of the Class of 1955 and class portraits Arts and Science for the Class of 1960.
Notes
History/Bio information provided by Verda McDonald. Description by Emily Bate (October 2016) and Christy Henry.
Robert John Coates was born on December 30, 1908 on the home farm in the Elm Valley district. He took his schooling at Elm Valley and Virden. He received Bachelor of Science of Bachelor of Education degrees at the University of Manitoba. Bob married Margaret Grace Cullen (1915-2007) in 1936 and together they had two children: Karen and John. Bob began his teaching career as principal in Pierson, MB, later moving to Ninga as principal. During the Second World War he joined the RCAF, serving as a navigation officer and teaching pilots in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After the war, the family moved to Brandon where Bob taught at Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI), Earl Haig, Earl Oxford and was principal at Central School. He was the first principal at Green Acres School, teaching there until retiring in 1973. Bob was made a Brandon Diocesan Layreader of the Anglican Church and spent years taking services throughout the Diocese.
Bob served as president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society, Brandon Local, The Western Manitoba Teacher's Association, the Brandon PC Association and the UN Association. He also served as executive member of the International School Masters Club, The Manitoba Teachers' Society Pensions Committee, Men's Canadian Club and the Westman Oral History Association. He served as Chairman of the Local MTS Pension Committee and on the board of directors of Hobbs Manor. Bob was a lifetime member of the Mantioba Teachers' Society and the Brandon Teachers' Society, as well as a charter member of the Assiniboine Historical Society, the Daly House Museum, and the Commonwealth Air Training Museum. He was also a member of The Monarchist League of Canada and Royal Canadian Legion No. 3. At the time of his death Bob was an honourary Vestryman at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Robert Coates died on March 10, 1990 in Brandon, MB. He is buriedat Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Robert Coates about Thomas Mayne Daly, first mayor of Brandon, as well as the Daly House Museum. Interviewer is Effie McPhail.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Coates' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Robert Neilson was born on June 15, 1914 in Glasgow, Scotland. He came to Canada with his family in October 1919. They settled briefly in Manor, SK before moving to Brandon, MB in 1920. After high school, Bob worked at Yaeger's Furs and was promoted to general manager. Bob Robert married Margaret McComb (1919-2001) on June 19, 1944 and together they had two daughters, Jean and Linda. From 1969-1975, Bob and Marg owned Eve's Gift Shop, and after the store was sold, they were caretakers at Princess Park and Towers until retiring in 1979. They continued to live at Princess Towers for several years, before moving to Hillcrest Place Personal Care Home. Bob and Marg loved spending time at Waskesiu, Clear Lake, and later at Killarney. He was an active member of the Eastern Star, Shriners, Central United Church, K-40, Kinsmen and YMCA, as well as a long time volunteer at Prairie Oasis. Robert Neilson died on August 3, 2006 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Robert Neilson about his experience with Gus Yaeger, furrier, 1939-1942. Interviewer is Phyllis M. Cairns.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Neilson's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Robert Alexander Smith was born on March 25, 1901 at Madford-Ingelow, MB. He attended Matheson school and farmed in the Ingelow district. The family farm, 2-12-17, was sold in 1951, and Robert moved to Winnipeg where he was employed with the International Harvester Company and Triange Auto Supply. Robert met Martha Buchanon Thorburn (1917-2010) when they were both Scout leaders and actively involved with Chalmers United Church in Winnipeg. The couple married in 1955, and together they had one son, Alexander. Robert and Martha retired in 1971, and moved to Douglas, MB. Robert Smith died on November 30, 1983 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Carberry Plains Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Robert Smith about the early days at 2-12-17. Interviewer is Blair Loree.
Notes
History/bio information from the records, the Douglas local history "Echoes of A Century," and the obituaries for Robert and Martha Smith. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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