A life lived for others
Reg Tweeddale, a long-time friend of the University of New Brunswick, was a man who dedicated his life to serving others.
A member of the Order of Canada, Tweeddale was a 1935 graduate of the electrical engineering program at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. He served on the university’s Board of Governors for close to 50 years before his death, and was chair of the board for two terms beginning in 1980.
He received an honourary doctor of science degree from UNB in 1973.
Born in 1914 in Arthurette, N.B., Tweeddale was also a World War II veteran, serving his country from 1941-1945 in England and the Middle East.
UNB President Dr. John McLaughlin remembers Tweeddale fondly.
"Reg Tweeddale was a great son of New Brunswick. He represents the very best of the veterans who came back from the Second World War to the province and helped build a modern New Brunswick," says McLaughlin.
"He made an outstanding contribution to his country and to his province and to this university."
Tweeddale died peacefully on June 27, 2009 at the age of 94. He is survived by his daughter, Janet DeMello and her husband, Michael; stepsons, J. Christopher and Stephen Colwell; grandchildren, Katie, Andrew, Joshua, Noah, Samuel and Micah as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife, Faye (Graham); their infant daughter, Julia; his second wife Jean (Brown); his sister, Gwen and his brother, Allister.
Dedicated to the community
After the war, Tweeddale dedicated his life in service to his community and to the University of New Brunswick.
McLaughlin recounts how eager Tweeddale, then in his late 80s, was to participate in a UNB-sponsored conference in 2005 called SeaChange, which was aimed at shaping a better future for the province.
"The students in particular were enthralled with Reg," says McLaughlin. "He was a living legend and an example of how to pursue big ideas."
McLaughlin visited Tweeddale three days before he died, and began reminiscing with him.
"But,” he says, “Reg didn't want to talk about the past. He wanted to talk about the future. He asked me what more he could do for UNB. That's the kind of guy Reg was."
Growing energy
Tweeddale was the first General Manager of the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission, and spent 23 years with the utility. He oversaw immense growth in New Brunswick’s energy industry, including the electrification of the province’s rural areas and the connection of the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia power grids.
In 1961, he was named “Electrical Man of the Year,” and he has also received the C.C. Kirby Awards recognizing his service to the province and its energy industry.
Art O’Connor, who succeeded Tweeddale at NB Power, remembers him for the progress he made with the utility’s reputation.
“He had a very long history with NB Power, and he was dedicated to making the power corporation one of the best utilities in the country,” says O’Connor.
“Reg was clearly an individual who had a deep commitment to NB Power,” says Darrell Bishop, Executive Vice President of the utility. “Long after retiring, his dedication and strong belief in serving New Brunswickers was evident in his continued support for NB Power and its employees.”
Tweeddale was the first New Brunswick engineer to be appointed president of the Canadian Electric Association. He was also New Brunswick’s first deputy minister of economic growth and the director of the New Brunswick Forest Resources Study.
Those who wish to contribute a gift in his memory may donate to the Jean F. and Reginald E. Tweeddale UNB Memorial Scholarship Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.
