Donald Osman

Donald (Don) Osman (?-2026) PEng, Past President EGM

Donald Glen Osman had a career in the construction industry followed by involvement in research and service to the industry. He was very active in the Association.

Don Osman, 1994

Education

Don obtained his B. Sc. Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 1974.

Professional Career

Over the years Don was involved with construction work (commercial, industrial, residential and heavy construction), Waterworks (Water Resources Branch, Province of Manitoba) and roadworks (Perth, Australia). He followed his construction career with work in research, reporting to the department head of the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRTAP)) to provide this service to the construction industry. Don represented NRC – IRAP and Economic Innovation and Technology Council (EITC) and the R & D Committee, Manitoba Homebuilders Association (MHBA), Canadian Construction Research Board (CCRB), University of Manitoba Tall Structures Lab Advisory Board and the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering. In 1993 he became Head of Engineering at the Industrial Technology Centre.

Association Activities

Don chaired the Research and Development Committee for 3 years prior to his election to Council in October 1992. The R and D Committee generated a policy on Sustainable Development adopted by Council. While on council he became liaison councilor to the Research and Development Committee. He was active with the Long-Range Planning, Premises, R. & D. and Sustainable Development Committees among others.

In 1993 he was elected APEM Vice President and was elected President in 1995.

In keeping with other professions Don advocated for APEM to develop a system whereby members would be encouraged to maintain technical competency.

In later years Don chaired the Experience Review Board and the Awards committee.

Don Osman, Awards Committee

Don received the Outstanding service award in December 2000.

Don Osman and Cathy Stewart, 1996

As a private citizen Don made a submission on Bill 21, the Engineering and Geophysicists Profession Amendment Act to the Standing Committee on Social and Economic Development, September 9, 2015. Personal Background Don was married to Tobi and they had two children. They kept busy with charity work such as at their community club where the objective was a new hockey rink and other needed facilities. Don was active with Habitat to Humanity as the picture below illustrates

Don Osman, Habitat for Humanity Build, 1993

Don Osman died in May, 2026.

References

1. Bulletins of the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba (now EGM) April 1883, April 1994, December 2000.

Compiled by

Al Myska, PEng (SM), FEC, October 2026

Posted by

Glen N. Cook, P. Eng (SM), FEC