Buchwald, Harold, 1928-2008 : Harold Buchwald, community leader and lawyer, was born in Winnipeg and educated at the University of Manitoba. He was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1952 and was a founding partner in the law firm of Buchwald, Asper, Henteleff. He lectured in law at the University of Manitoba and Manitoba Law School, contributed numerous articles to publications and acted as a special counsel to the Manitoba government on consumer protection 1965-1970, serving as Chair of the Canadian Consumer Council from 1971 to 1973. He was a council member of the Manitoba Bar Association, 1954-1972, and president, 1970-1971. He was a member of the Canadian Bar Association's National Council, 1965-1977, and a Governor of the Canadian Taxation Foundation, 1973-1976.
Serving in an active or leadership capacity within the organized Jewish community, both locally in Winnipeg and nationally, Harold Buchwald participated in many organizations during his life. He was an executive member of the Canada-Israel Committee (C.I.C.) from 1973 to 1983, chairman of its Winnipeg Committee from 1973 to 1976, Western Regional Chairman from 1974 to 1979 and National Chairman from 1979 to 1983. He and executive members of this committee made representation to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs which was reviewing relations with Middle East nations. He was campaign general chairman of the combined Jewish Appeal of Winnipeg in 1980 and president of the Young Men's Hebrew Association of Winnipeg from 1974 to 1976, and President of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba from 1987 to 1991. A lifelong supporter of the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University, he served as president of the Winnipeg chapter as well as national vice-president.
A proud Winnipeger, Buchwald was president of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra from 1984 to 1986. He was Chair of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation from 1989 to 1992, Chair of the Ethics Committee at the Health Sciences Centre from 1991 to 1997 and Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Winnipeg Regional Hospital Authority from 1997 to 1999. In addition, he was chair of Winnipeg 2000 from 1995 to 1997, Chair of the City of Winnipeg Cultural Policy Review Panel from 1996 to 1997, and Chair of the Winnipeg Winter Cities Host Committee in 1996.
In 1994, he received an honourary doctorate from the University of Manitoba, as well as the Order of Canada in 1993.
Harold Buchwald died on April 17, 2008, at eighty years of age.
