Wednesday, 30 May 2012

May 30 - Chips - Carol Westlund on behalf of her late husband Don

Carol Westlund living in Winnipeg 

"Don started his career with Chipman Chemicals in the fall of 1963, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, from the University of Saskatchewan. Don was hired to work on the order desk for Chipman out of the office on Coulter Avenue in Winnipeg.  The following year Don and I were married and spent just over a year in Winnipeg before Don was transferred to Regina as a sales representative. 

1965 was the first year the University of Regina opened and so I became a student once again. In two years time Don decided to leave Chipman and return to Saskatoon to study for a Master of Science in Horticulture. I remember it was the fall of 1967 as we purchased a new Plymouth Sport Fury to return to University (no more company car) and with that sport car, we were the envy of a few of the other graduate students. While in Saskatoon I taught school as well as finished my Arts degree. 

After a couple of years in Saskatoon Don was rehired with Chipman Chemicals and we moved to Lethbridge where he was sales rep. Both of our children, Glenn and Andrea were born in Lethbridge. After four years in Lethbridge we had a series of moves with Chipman.  Between 1973-79 we lived in Winnipeg, MB, Beamsville, ON and Moose Jaw, SK. While living in Moose Jaw, Don managed the Chipman plant and farmed a quarter section of land at Brownlee, SK. After two years in that position Don was offered a sales supervisor's position in Winnipeg and we moved to Winnipeg again, for the third time. This was in late 1979 and we/I have been in Winnipeg ever since, and in the same house.

I continued my studies in Winnipeg with a one year business course and then finished up a second degree, my B Ed, at the University of Winnipeg. 

Don took early retirement in 1998 due to some restructuring in the company and packages offered to those 55 plus years of age. A retirement dinner was held for Don at Green Gates restaurant on the outskirts of Winnipeg; both employees and spouses were in attendance. Don was also honoured with presentations and recognition of his 32 year career at one of the company meetings held at the Banff Springs Hotel. 

At the time of Don's retirement he was the Product Service Manager with Zeneca, working out of the Scurfield Blvd. office. He continued working on a contract basis but this was short lived as he died of a heart attack in February of 1999.

I have kept in touch with Zeneca employees in Winnipeg, Alberta and Ontario, and have visited several times with good friends,  Don (Joyce) Breeze in Pennsylvania.

Our son, Glenn, lives in Winnipeg and is a mechanical engineer working for Magellan Aerospace Corporation. His position involves some travel both in Canada and the USA.  Our daughter, Andrea, after 11 years of university, is married and lives in the States. Her and Ted have two little boys, Donald (5) and Jamie (3). Andrea and Ted are both University Professors and are employed at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

As for me, I am now retired from my part time position with the Winnipeg School Division and I love to travel with family and friends, especially during the winter months. Winnipeg has some good aspects but winter (in my opinion) isn't one of them. 

Cheers, Carol"

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