Gerald KAUMEYER

KAUMEYER, Gerald Edward
September 29, 1924 - June 18, 2012
We are saddened to announce the passing of Gerry Kaumeyer, a much-loved husband, father, stepfather and grandfather on June 18. He is survived by his wife Dorothy (Doshie), his five children, Jane Muir Savidant, Deborah Glassman, J.P. Kaumeyer, Larry Kaumeyer and Michael Kaumeyer, his two sisters, Barbara Chapman and Lorraine Macfarland, his 11 grandchildren and his stepchildren and grandchildren in the Mackimmie and Dixon families. Gerry was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on September 29, 1924. He graduated from Luther College before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force following which he attended the University of Saskatchewan, graduating with a B.A. in Chemistry. He won a scholarship to attend the University of California at Los Angeles and was the first Canadian graduate of its MBA program. He headed back to Canada to join Imperial Oil and was enlisted in the management training program, where he held a number of positions across Canada over 10 years. In 1968, he left Imperial to pursue his passion for ranching and the "life outdoors" that he had learned and loved as a young boy. Gerry formed an agri-business consulting firm, and joined forces with the McKinnon family and LK Ranches of Bassano, Alberta. This led to a 27-year partnership and the evolution of LK to a fully integrated beef operation, from "pasture to plate". Gerry was instrumental in the formation of XL Agrobeef which became XL Foods. Gerry served as President and CEO of XL Food Systems from 1967 to 1988 at which point he became Chairman. He also served as President of the Canadian Simmental Association; trustee of the Alberta Agricultural Research Trust Fund, a member of the Livestock Industry Institute Board of Governors, a member of the Canadian Meat Council, and a number of related organizations. Gerry was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Simmental Association in 2006 for his contributions to the development of the Simmental breed in Canada. His other great passion was hunting, a pursuit he enjoyed with his many sons, stepsons and grandsons. For Gerry, one of his greatest achievements was instilling in his large extended family an appreciation of the glory of the great outdoors. Never content to simply enjoy, Gerry turned this into an opportunity to make a contribution and was a pioneer and leader in the preservation and enhancement of habitat that would be enjoyed by future generations. Gerry was actively involved in Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl Foundation and was instrumental in the establishment of a Pheasants Forever chapter in Calgary. Beyond his many accomplishments, Gerry will be remembered as a person of deep wisdom, profound integrity and the ability to leave a lasting impression on all he met. He would look at you in that steady, penetrating way that made you know you should respond with similar seriousness, which grounded many a grandchild, and child and helped guide many a decision about life and career. A Celebration of Gerry's life will be held at HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME, 1708 - 16 Avenue N.W. (across from the North Hill Shopping Centre, Calgary) on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Please forward condolences through www.hffs.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gerry's name to Delta Waterfowl, Unit 22 - 62 Scurfield Boulevard Winnipeg, MB. R3Y 1M5.