Robert Bend
| Robert Bend | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1914 Poplar Point, Manitoba |
| Died | 1999 |
| Education | University of Manitoba |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Parent(s) | J.P. Bend (father) |
Robert (Bobby) Bend (April 14, 1914 – September 24, 1999[1]) was a Manitoba politician, and was briefly the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party (1969–1970).[2]
Biography
Early life
Bend was born in Poplar Point, Manitoba, the son of J.P. Bend (who unsuccessfully ran for the Manitoba legislature in 1927 and 1932 as a Conservative) and Annie Ada Wilson.[3] The younger Bend received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba, taught school and later worked as a school principal. He later received a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba.[4] In 1938, Bend married Laura Kathleen Fisher.[3]
Politics
In 1949, Bend was elected to the Manitoba legislature for the riding of Rockwood. The election was somewhat unusual, in that Bend ran as an "Independent Progressive Conservative" supporting the Liberal-Progressive-Progressive Conservative governing coalition,[1] while his opponent R.A. Quickfall was an Independent Liberal opposing the government. Bend won with over two-thirds of the vote.
The Progressive Conservatives left the governing coalition in 1950, but Bend continued to support the government of Liberal-Progressive Premier Douglas Campbell. He scored an easy re-election in 1953, this time running as an "Independent Liberal-Progressive". On January 25, 1955, he was named Minister of Health and Public Welfare in the Campbell government.[1]
Defeat and retirement
The Progressive Conservatives under Dufferin Roblin won a minority government in 1958, though Bend was again re-elected in the renamed riding of Rockwood-Ibreville. The following year, however, he was defeated by Tory candidate George Hutton.[1]
Bend remained out of active political life for the next decade. In 1969, he stood for the leadership of the Manitoba Liberal Party (as the Liberal-Progressives had renamed themselves), and scored an easily first-ballot win over his three opponents (none of whom had legislative experience).
The selection of Bend proved to be a strategic error for the party. Bend represented the rural, conservative wing of the Liberal Party, and was unable to reach an urban audience[5] (the party's decision to use a "cowboy" theme in the 1969 campaign was little help on this front). The Liberals tumbled to only five seats, the fewest they had ever won. Bend himself was defeated by Progressive Conservative candidate Harry Enns in the riding of Lakeside (which Campbell had previously held for 47 years).[1] He stepped down as Liberal leader shortly thereafter, and did not seek provincial office again.
Bend subsequently returned to the education field, serving as superintendent of a rural school division. He died at Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall at the age of 85.[4]
Bend spent 50 years as a baseball umpire and was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hale of Fame in 1997.[6]
There is currently an "R.W. Bobby Bend School" in Stonewall, Manitoba.[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "MLA Biographies - Deceased". Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
- ↑ Chorney, etc; Harold Chorney; Phillip Hansen; Phillip Birger Hansen (1992). Toward a Humanist Political Economy. Black Rose Books Ltd. p. 69. ISBN 1-895431-22-0.
- 1 2 "Robert William “Bobby” Bend (1914-1999)". Memorable Manitobans. Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
- 1 2 "Obituary - Robert Bend". Winnipeg Free Press. September 27, 1999. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
- ↑ McAllister, James (1984). Government of Edward Schreyer: Democratic Socialism in Manitoba. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 14. ISBN 0773561005. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
- ↑ "Inductees". Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
- ↑ R.W. Bobby Bend School website