MIDVILLE BRANCH, N.S. – Fred Gilbert, a familiar face to many in Thunder Bay as former president of Lakehead University and candidate for provincial office, has died.
Gilbert’s time at the university's helm, from 1998 to 2010, was marked by major developments, including the launch of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), establishment of a satellite campus in Orillia, construction of the ATAC building, and the success of Thunderwolves hockey, of which he was an avid booster.
Gilbert rarely shied away from controversy during his tenure, evidenced in his decision not to allow wireless internet at Lakehead over health concerns, and a tongue-in-cheek "Yale Schmale" promotional campaign that took aim at then-President George W. Bush.
Gilbert was known on campus as an outgoing, if sometimes divisive, figure who made a point of connecting with students, faculty, and staff.
He died peacefully by assisted death at his home in Midville Branch, Nova Scotia, on Nov. 2. He had terminal metastatic pancreatic cancer and lymphoma – “Fred never did things by halves,” his obituary wryly notes.
Born in Toronto, Gilbert’s life in academia took him across the continent and back. After completing a Masters and PhD at Guelph University, he headed the Wildlife Biology Program at Washington State University, served as founding Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources at the University of Northern BC, and later the Vice Provost Academic at Colorado State University.
After serving two terms as president at Lakehead, Gilbert – a self-described Red Tory – ran in the 2011 provincial election as a Progressive Conservative in the Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding, placing third.
According to his obituary, Gilbert spent recent years in Nova Scotia establishing an organic farm.
