Frank Fowler

Frank Fowler P. Eng. B. Sc. (Civil Engineering) Past Pres. EGM

Frank McColman Fowler was born on February 7,1921 in Fort Garry, then a Municipality in Greater Winnipeg. After completing his grade schooling in Fort Garry, he enrolled in Civil Engineering at McGill University, graduating in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Military Career

After graduation Frank enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) and served with distinction in the North Atlantic (1942-1945) as Sub-Lieutenant until the end of the second world war.

Early Professional Career

Upon discharge in 1945, he worked for ten years with Scott-Jackson Construction in Toronto, specializing in the heavy construction industry in Ontario. Thomas Jackson, his sons John Jackson and James Jackson of Scott-Jackson Construction, and Frank Scott Fowler, Frank’s father, founded the Winnipeg based construction company Fowler and Young Contracting Engineers in 1923 which became Nelson River Construction Inc.

Nelson River Construction Inc.

In 1955, after his father’s death, he returned to Winnipeg to take over his father’s company, Nelson River Construction Inc. He became President and Chief Executive Officer and remained in the position until retirement in 1990.

The construction company specializes in asphalt, concrete, aggregates, underground services, highways construction, snow removal and quarrying. As leaders in underground services Nelson River Construction pioneered mechanized tunneling in Manitoba under Frank’s tutelage. The underground division built lift stations, installing pumps and mechanical work. Sewer and water pipe installation methods include pipe jacking and auger boring. The other divisions offer similar innovative methods and specialized equipment.

Check out Nelson River Construction Inc.'s website for their history. https://www.nelsonriver.com/our-story/

In the heavy construction industry Frank set a standard that may never be matched. He was looked up to and admired by all who knew him in the business world. He received the Canadian Construction Association's Robert Stollery Award (1991) for his leadership in the construction industry.

Association Activities

Frank Fowler became registered with the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba (now EGM) on December 17, 1956. He served on Council for five years and in 1967 he was elected Vice-President and in 1968 was elected President after the then President resigned. Frank was a member of the Premises Committee for 5 years, one year as Chairman, the Registration Procedures Committee for 2 years, the Engineers-Architects Committee for 1 year, and the Nominating Committee for 3 years. He served on the Bulletin Committee for 3 years, one year as Chairman, and the onerous Practice and Ethics Committee for 9 years, one year as Chairman. Frank received the APEM Outstanding Service Award on November 23, 1979. Associated Activities

Frank Fowler was President and a Director of Supercrete Ltd., a concrete products manufacturer in Winnipeg. Among other offices held was that of President of the Manitoba Road Builders for four years and Vice-President of the Prairie Road Builders Association. Frank was a member of Westminster United Church and served on the Sanatorium Board of Manitoba (Chairman, 1982-1986). Frank was an avid curler and won the APEM annual bonspiel as skip several years. He also took part in hunting, sometimes with his contractor associates.

Personal Background

Frank married his first wife on 31 October 1942. They had five children. After his wife died, in 1975, he married a widow with 4 children. They shared twenty-one happy years having blended two large families. Among their many activities, they particularly enjoyed evenings spent playing bridge with close friends, attending the Manitoba Theater Center, and becoming active members of Westminster United Church. Every year was enriched by summer days at their cabin on Lake of the Woods and winter vacations in Hawaii. Frank was predeceased by his son Frank Wilson Fowler and his first wife Vivian Loraine (Wilson), Frank passed away December 25, 1996.

References:

1. Free Press Obituary, 28 December 1996 page C9.
2. Manitoba Historical Society https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/fowler_fo.shtml
3. Bulletin of the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba (now EGM) March 1965, July 1966
4. Association Merit Award November 23, 1979
5. Free Press Obituary Shirley Louise Baldner McInnes Fowler, 8 February 2010. https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-160666/FOWLER_SHIRLEY

Compiled by

Al Myska, P.Eng. (SM), FEC, January 2025

Posted by

Trent Erskine P.Eng.