Obituary of Donald Kenneth MacPherson

DONALD KENNETH MacPHERSON This world is poorer today for the death, after an exemplary life, of Donald Kenneth MacPherson. Donald was born in 1925 to a Regina family distinguished in law, politics and public service, causes he further advanced with his own signal contributions. The first baby boy baptized in Reginas First Presbyterian Church, he attended Strathcona School and then Central Collegiate, where he establishing friendships that endured for the rest of his life. Donald graduated from high school in 1943, when the Second World War still hung in the balance, and immediately joined the army, following in the martial footsteps of his father and two older brothers. After basic training in Prince Albert he completed the army engineering course at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The demand overseas, however, was for infantry, so Donald volunteered to go overseas as an infantry private. His only worry was that the war would be over before he got there. After further training in England he was sent to Holland as a replacement with the Argyll and Southerland Highlanders, a Canadian infantry regiment then in the thick of combat. Donald fought at the Hochwald Gap, where Canadian troops prevailed in a decisive battle as grim and brutal as anything war has to offer. He soon thereafter was captured in a bloody battle for the German town of Veen on the east side of the Rhine River. Years later on a family trip to Europe he would show his children the abutments of the bridge where he crossed the Rhine into Germany as a prisoner of war. After his liberation and discharge from the army, Donald returned to the University of Saskatchewan, this time enrolling in the College of Law. It was in Saskatoon that he met the beautiful Betty, still the love of his life when he died just days short of their 61st wedding anniversary. He always knew that marrying her was the best thing he ever did. With the ink still wet on his law degree, Donald and Betty moved to Moose Jaw where he articled and briefly practiced law before moving back to Regina to work as a solicitor for the Superior Oil Company. In 1951 he joined MacPherson, Leslie and Tyerman, the law firm established by his father. He eventually would become senior partner and chairman of the firms management committee. He contributed greatly to the firms growth and reputation for integrity. Donald specialized in labour law, usually working on the management side, but he was especially proud of helping to create and establish an independent union at the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewans Rocanville mine. He relished the cut and thrust of law, and was endlessly fascinated by the people involved. He treated everyone he met with kindness, respect and genuine interest. The world would be a boring place if everyone was the same, he often said. Donalds political adventures began in 1962 when he won a seat on Regina city council, leading the polls among aldermen then elected at large. Among other things he tried unsuccessfully to block a bylaw prohibiting firecrackers. Firecrackers are fun, he said. Donald ran and lost twice provincially for the Progressive Conservatives at a time when the party was rebuilding. The second defeat he regarded as a moral victory because he got his deposit back. His political involvement later was more fruitful when he worked behind the scenes, as he often did, to help resolve the Saskatchewan doctors strike in 1962. Held in the highest esteem by colleagues and opponents in the legal community, Donald served as a bencher and then president of the Law Society and chairman of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan. Likewise acclaimed by his peers was his appointment in 1989 as Chief Justice of Saskatchewans Court of Queens Bench. As such he presided over the establishment of pre-trial hearings to resolve cases before they come to trial, with inestimable savings in time and money for both litigants and taxpayers. Donald was a great sportsman who drove a convertible MGB sports car and competed in sailboat races on Katepwa Lake, where he and Betty had their cherished summer home. He was a graceful swimmer and beautiful diver who well into middle age was still able to walk on his hands. He was a great supporter of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and part of a group that bought the Regina Pats rather than let the team leave town. He came away with a 1974 Memorial Cup ring and enormous relief to be a fan again instead of an owner. Donald also contributed mightily to his community. He was a founding director of the Wascana Centre Authority, president of the Regina Kinsmen Club, director of the Regina YMCA, chairman of the Regina Hospitals Planning Council, member and then chairman of the Regina Board of Police Commissioners and a member of the RCMP public complaints commission. His energy, his focus and his winning way always were much in demand. The apogee of Donalds public service was as national president of what then was called the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded. Under his leadership, the association was then just beginning to integrate into the community the mentally disadvantaged who hitherto were institutionalized. Donalds priority always was his family. He and Betty made a formidable team, raising four accomplished children, who in turn rewarded them with 10 grandchildren. They never were happier or more proud than when they were together with their family. Sometimes with their children, sometimes without, Donald and Betty travelled extensively, delighting in arts and culture around the world. In his workshop in their gracious family home in Regina he made furniture that will serve generations to come and, for his granddaughters, jewellery boxes, each with a unique secret compartment. Old age robbed Donald of his strength and his formidable intellect, but he remained a gentleman until the end. His last days were comfortable and he died peacefully on June 16. Donald was predeceased by his parents, Murdoch and Iowa MacPherson, and by his two older brothers, Ian and Murdoch Jr. (Sandy). He is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Betty), by his two sisters, Joan Boyle and Barbara Belknap, and by his four children and 10 grandchildren: Seonaid MacPherson (Frank), Aime and Burke van Drimmelen; Sine MacPherson (Gary), Hollis, Hilaire and Meredith Dufour; Les (Colleen), Alexander and Taylor MacPherson; Murdoch (Aura Lee), Kenneth, Cailin and Cadie Beth MacPherson. Donalds life will be celebrated at a private family service. Memorial donations can be made to the Veterans Ward, 3-6, Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, 2180 23rd Avenue, Regina SK, S4S 0A5. Thanks to the staff at the veterans home who gave care and comfort to Donald and his family in his final months. They are as angels. His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, This was a man!.? An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com