Remembering Dr. Bruce D. Campbell
Bruce Campbell, alumnus, honorary degree recipient, friend of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, and business leader and philanthropist, died on May 17, 2022, at 85 years of age. He is remembered as having great passion for his profession and entrepreneur who gave back to his roots and to young people seeking a future in agriculture.
Dr. Campbell grew up on the family farm in Chater, MB, and graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor in Science in Agriculture with a major in Animal Science. After working with Feed-Rite Mills for 10 years, Bruce’s entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic prompted him to purchase a feed business in Landmark, MB. He quarterbacked a team of partners and outstanding employees in turning Landmark Feeds, a small rural business, into one of Western Canada’s leading agribusiness companies, while becoming well known himself as a visionary businessman with high integrity.
Bruce always placed a high value on the people who were his partners, employees, customers, and suppliers, believing firmly that everybody who was involved with him in any of these capacities should be successful. He achieved recognition for this approach, as evidenced by many awards, including the Canadian Feed Industry Association Golden Award in 1995; the UM Young Associates Manitoba Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999; and the Prairies Region Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999. Bruce was named a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada in 2001 and received the Distinguished Agrologist Award from the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists in 2002. He was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2006. In 2007 Bruce was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Manitoba acknowledging his strong support of the industry. Bruce was named a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, 2011; and inducted into the Manitoba Business Hall of Fame, 2016 for his entrepreneurship in agribusiness and his generous support of innovation and education in Canada’s agriculture industry. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2015.
Bruce and Lesley both held a strong interest in youth and education which led them to create the Bruce D. Campbell Bursary Fund to support students in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Their vision, leadership and generosity helped build the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, which opened its doors in 2011 to enhance public awareness and understanding of modern, sustainable food production.
Bruce’s commitment to environmental stewardship was evident through his service on the board of Ducks Unlimited Canada, and he was an advocate for the development of the Headquarters and Interpretative Centre at Oak Hammock Marsh. In 2020, Ducks Unlimited presented him with their Conservation Education Award.
He married Lesley Lorraine Gay in 1963 and has two children, Brock (BSA/90), and Nancy (BFA/86, MA, PhD) and five grandchildren.
The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and University of Manitoba are grateful for his passionate engagement in our community and we mourn his loss.
The flag at the University of Manitoba was lowered to honour him on May 25, 2022.
Read more in the Winnipeg Free Press obituary.