Skip to content

John Bertram Mantle

June 2, 2018

June 17, 1920 - June 2, 2018
John Bertram Mantle, beloved father of Brian and Greg, passed away on June 2, 2018 at the F W Green Home in Cranbrook. He had hoped to reach his 99th birthday June 17, but wasn't quite up to the task.

Born in London, England, he and his two siblings were brought up mostly by his mother in rural Saskatchewan after his father was hospitalized for many years with wartime injuries. He excelled academically and was awarded a war veteran's bursary that paid for him to attend college. He chose mechanical engineering and graduated in 1941 with great distinction.

A year later he married his wife Nina and joined the RCAF. He spent the war years repairing aircraft in Moncton and eventually "flying a desk" in Ottawa, retiring with the rank of Wing Commander. In the fall of 1945, he joined the U of S as an instructor and was soon appointed an Assistant Professor. He eventually became head of his department and in 1967 became the first Dean of the new College of Engineering in Regina.

He was active in engineering organizations, both provincially and nationally and was an early leader in establishing work study as a part of engineering education. Retiring to Creston in 1979, he started contributing to scholarships at both U of S and U of R. Years of active service in Kiwanis were followed up with membership in Rotary and helping the handicapped through Cresteramics, chairing their Management Committee. On July 31, the day of his memorial service in Creston, the flags flew at half-mast at U of S and U of R.

In addition to his two sons, he is survived by five grandchildren and their offspring in B.C. and WA state. He set a fine example for us of a life well-lived and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. His ashes have been interred alongside his beloved wife Nina at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, BC.