Ken Jardine

Kenneth Mason Jardine (1930-2022), PEng, Past President of EGM

Ken worked for Manitoba Highways and Transportation, ending his career as Executive Director of Planning and Design. He was President of The Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba (now EGM) in 1982.

Kenneth (Ken) Mason Jardine - 1982

1982 - Kenneth (Ken) Mason Jardine

Ken was born to Don and Jean Jardine on October 31, 1930. He grew up in the small Interlake community of Spearhill, Manitoba.

Education

Ken graduated from Grade 11 at St. James Collegiate and from Grade 12 at United College. After United College he worked for a year at the Spearhill limestone quarry near Moosehorn, Manitoba.

Ken then decided to pursue a science degree at the University of Winnipeg. Unfortunately, he could. not get to the city for registration, but Al Francis, PEng offered to handle the formalities for him. When Ken finally arrived in Winnipeg he was surprised that he was a first-year engineering student at the University of Manitoba. Not upset, as Spearhill-tonians stick together, Ken accepted the challenge and ultimately remained in the program.

Ken graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1953. After working for six years, he enrolled at the University of Alberta, graduating with a Master of Science in Transportation Engineering in 1960.

Professional Career

Except for a year with the City of Welland, Ontario, Ken's early professional career was with the Manitoba Department of Highways. Early positions were as resident engineer in Swan River and The Pas. After obtaining his master’s degree in 1960, he was appointed Traffic Engineer, heading this new group for 12 years.

In 1972 the Jardine family travelled to Tanzania where Ken was the Team Leader establishing a Planning Division for the Tanzanian Ministry of Transport for three years

Shortly after his return to the Manitoba Highways in 1975 he was appointed Contract Engineer, ending his career as Executive Director of Planning and Design. His favourite position was as the first Traffic Engineer in Manitoba and working on the National highway standards.

Association Activities

Ken's service to the Association includes:

• A lengthy tenure on the Bulletin Committee, being editor for several years,
• The nominating committee,
• Council member from 1978 to 1982,
• President in 1982.

He was made an Honorary Life Member of the Association in 1995. His name is included in the hall of Honorary Life Members of the Association located at https://www.enggeomb.ca/AwardRecipients.html.

Professional Service

Other professional activities included membership with the Institute of Transportation Engineers, being the first Manitoba Director, Roads and Transportation Association of Canada (RTAC) serving on the committee for Uniform Traffic Control Devices in Canada and Chairman of its Technical and Research committee.

Personal Background

Ken and Dolores were married in 1956. They had 3 children, a boy and 2 girls.

Ken enjoyed his travels to different countries and experiencing their cultures. In addition to his active membership with the Association, Ken was also active with his church, loved his curling at the Grain Exchange and Granite Curling Clubs, his bridge group and his early morning golf at Victoria Beach.

He enjoyed cross country skiing. Literature was also a major interest for Ken, particularly 1920 historical romantic novels.

Ken died on June 14, 2022.

References

1. Bulletins of the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba (now EGM) November 1981, April 1982
2. See also Manitoba Historical Society – Memorable Manitobans Ken Jardine (1930 – 2022)
3. Obituary Winnipeg Free Press, 14 June 2022.

Compiled by

Al Myska, PEng (SM), FEC, January 2026
Review – Glen N. Cook, PEng (SM), FEC

Posted by

Glen N. Cook, PEng (SM), FEC
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