By: Liz Do
13 Sep, 2021
In Memoriam: Peter Bentley (1930-2021)
September 13, 2021
CIFAR remembers long-standing supporter and accomplished business leader, Peter Bentley
The CIFAR community is mourning the loss of Peter Bentley, Director Emeritus, member of CIFAR’s Council of Advisors and Honorary Fellow. Bentley passed away on September 6, 2021 at the age of 91.
“For more than 20 years, Peter was an invaluable board member and an unwavering advocate for CIFAR. His thought leadership and friendship will be sorely missed,” says Dr. Alan Bernstein, CIFAR President and CEO. “On behalf of CIFAR, I offer my deepest condolences to his wife Sheila, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
Bentley was an established figure in the forest industry. In 1970, Bentley became executive vice-president of Canfor Corporation, president in 1975, then chairman and CEO in 1985. He would lead the company for more than 30 years. In 1983, he was named an officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions to manufacturing, business and finance in British Columbia.
In addition to volunteering his time at CIFAR, Bentley served on numerous advisory boards at many institutions. He was named a ‘Builder’ at St. George’s School, a designation representing the highest award the School confers in recognition of extraordinary support. He also founded the Vancouver General Hospital Foundation, which later merged to become the VGH/UBC Hospital Foundation. The Foundation has now raised more than $1 billion for patients in the province of British Columbia.
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