Pound – Harold Delmar Pound with his family around him passed away peacefully on the evening of Dec. 6, 2013 at the Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta at the age of 88 years. Del, as he was known, was challenged by Parkinson’s disease during the last decade of his life. Born in Atlee, Alberta in 1925 to Leone and Edwin Pound, Del attended school in Atlee and Buffalo. After high school Del worked the family farm until poor crops and the failing health of his father forced them to sell the farm and move into town. In 1943 Del went to work for McCabe Grain Company, in Brooks, as a seed buyer which was the start of his long career in the agriculture business. It was during this time that he joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce (JC’s) to help develop his public speaking and general management skills. In 1947 working with the JC’s on a project at the Calgary Stampede, Del met his future wife, Phyllis Sunstrum who was running for Calgary Stampede Queen. At that time ticket sales determined who would be Stampede Queen. Del didn’t do a good job selling tickets as Phyllis didn’t win but he always said he had the winning ticket as they were married a year later. Moving to Medicine Hat in 1960, Del had bought into an agriculture supply company, Oliver Chemical Company. While working in Medicine Hat, Del developed his love of flying. Getting his pilot’s licence Del was seen all over Alberta and Saskatchewan at many Flying Farmer fly ins. The company moved operations to Calgary in 1968 where Del was manager and Vice President until they were bought out in 1970. In 1970 Del was appointed to the Board of Grain Commissioners as a Commissioner. This meant a move to Winnipeg. In 1971 the Commission was reorganized and Del was appointed Chief Commissioner of the newly named Canadian Grain Commission a position he held until he resigned in February 1985. During his tenure as Chief Commissioner, the Commission was a world leader in adopting new technology to help Canada compete effectively by improving uniformity of grain and oilseed cargoes. Del received many awards during his career but the one best remembered is the Award for Public Service presented to him in Ottawa by Her Excellency The Right Honourable Jean Sauve the then Governor General of Canada. Working for the Commission required Del to represent Canada around the world. This required visits to over 18 different countries during his tenure. Moving back to Calgary to be nearer the grandchildren, Del continued to travel in retirement. Buying a motorhome saw him and Phyllis heading south when the weather turned with Tucson, Arizona being a favorite place to spend the winter months. Del spent many hours researching, contacting and documenting the Pound family. He was the driving force behind many family reunions and was the source to go to if questions on the family were raised. The family recognized this with a plaque given to him by the cousins. Del continued to be active in community actives throughout his life. He became President of the Alberta Junior Chamber of Commerce, belonged to the Kinsmen, later the K-40’s and was a member of Rotary. As a Scout Master he enjoyed encouraging kids to be more self-sufficient. An attitude he continued at home with his children and grandchildren. Del enjoyed a variety of activities. Photography, fishing, golf, dancing, snow skiing and particularly spending summers at the cabin on Lake Newell, at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park. He never tired of teaching his grand-children to fish, ski, sail and most importantly to laugh. His love of photography and sunsets at the lake has left his family a portfolio of colour. Del is survived by his wife Phyllis (nee Sunstrum), sons Edwin Andrew (Ted) of Calgary, James Donald (Monica Stradinger) of St. Catharines, ON; grandchildren Lisa Marie Morris (Tim), Darren James (Ronaele), Robert Charles (Jennifer), Thomas Harold Francis; great grandchildren Sophie and Andrew Morris, Carson, Grace, Graham, Ethan and Avery Pound and brother Donald Pound (Marie) of Medicine Hat. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 16 at 1:00 PM from Smith Memorial Chapel, Brooks. Rev. Kathleen Jones officiated. Interment followed at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Del, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Calgary Parkinson’s Society, Suite 102, 5636 Burbank Crescent SE, Calgary, Alberta T2J 1Z6. Funeral arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME, BROOKS, ALBERTA. Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
