Obituary of Reginald Elmer Forbes

FORBES: Reg Forbes died peacefully with his family by his side at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at the age of 90 years. Born on his parents' homestead in Rorketon on September 16, 1924, Reg was raised in Dauphin where he worked on his family's farm. Reg served for two years in the RCAF as a navigator. After the war, he attended the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Reg married Clara Hink, and together raised two children, Faye and Bob. Their early years were spent in Pilot Mound, where Reg was the Ag Rep. In 1956, he was appointed the principal of the Agricultural and Homemaking School in Brandon. From 1975 – 1977 he served as the Manitoba representative on the Hall Commission on Grain Handling and Transportation. Reg demonstrated great passion for the agriculture community and the City of Brandon, tirelessly working as: General Manager of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, Chair of the National Advisory Committee to CBC on agriculture broadcasting, Industrial Commissioner of the City of Brandon, Consultant for Westarc Group Inc., Director and President of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Keystone Center, and was instrumental in the building of the Keystone Center, Chair of the Brandon Economic Development Board, President of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, and the Canadian Society of Rural Extension and the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists, President of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum He has been the recipient of countless honours and awards, most notably the Order of Manitoba. Reg was predeceased by his wife Clara. He is survived by his children Faye and Bob, their spouses Rick and Sue, his four grandsons Trevor, Michael, Curtis (Katie), and Jeffrey, and his three great-grandsons Keely, Brady, and Preston. A memorial service celebrating Reg's life will be held at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Hangar on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Craig Miller of Knox United Church officiating. The family invites you for a time of fellowship and refreshments following the memorial service from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. A private family interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Reg's name to the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, 300 Commonwealth Way, Brandon, MB, R7A 5Y5.