Herbert 'Herb' Driver

The Funeral Service and Slideshow for Herb are now available at the bottom of this page.

After a long battle with cancer, Herbert Coleman Driver passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 at home in Winnipeg. He was 89 years old. He is survived by his daughter, Tara (Finn) Johnson of Winnipeg, his grandchildren Pauline, Kieran and Veronica Johnson of Winnipeg, his brother-in-law Andy Stevens of Portage la Prairie and sister-in-law Lynn Stevens (née Andres) of Winnipeg. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Norma Driver (née Stevens), parents Joe and Myra (née Tickle) Driver, and brother-in-law Don Stevens.

Herb was born in Portage la Prairie and grew up on a farm north of Portage. He attended West Prospect School, Portage Collegiate in St. Mary’s parish hall, and the University of Manitoba. He married Norma Stevens in 1963 and they moved to Ames, Iowa where Dad achieved his PhD from Iowa State University. They moved to Winnipeg, where their daughter Tara was born, and then settled in Guelph, Ontario where Herb was a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Guelph for 18 years. During that time, Herb and the family took a sabbatical leave at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon where they made many cherished memories. In 1988, Herb took early retirement and he and Norma came home to Portage la Prairie to farm. It was a big adjustment, but Herb got to fulfill his dream of being a farmer. Herb and Norma retired from farming in 2001 and moved to Winnipeg in 2011 to be closer to their family. That, again, was a big adjustment, but they enjoyed spending more time with family and friends as well as travelling - especially cruises!

Food was important to Herb. Fortunately for him, Norma was a very good cook. After Norma passed away, Herb had to cook for himself and shocked his family and friends by how good he was at it. His concoctions were delicious and he enjoyed talking about the creative ingredients and intricate process he used to arrive at each masterpiece.

Music was a big part of Herb’s life. He played the saxophone, the piano, and the clarinet. As a young man, he paid for his university studies by playing the alto saxophone with the Kadets band. The band was busy most weekends playing for dances in the Portage community and beyond. In later years, he enjoyed playing music with his family, for the church, and in community bands. He was a fixture at any concert or recital involving his grandchildren or his daughter or son-in-law’s school groups. He also went to as many of his grandchildren’s soccer and hockey games as possible.

Poor Herb was a dedicated Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He loved watching hockey and held out hope that the Leafs would one day win the Stanley Cup again. Sadly, it was not meant to be.

Herb was driven to be the best he could be at whatever he put his mind to. He had a magnificent memory and studied endlessly. He loved to read manuals, do research, and talk with experts, such as, fellow farmers, academics, tradesmen, pastors, and other professionals. He had a beautiful mind that was always curious and forever learning new things. Even in his last months he would experiment to figure out the best ways to make food for his puréed diet and adapt to his lack of mobility.

Herb will be greatly missed by family and friends. He loved his family very much. He was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather. He was responsible, loyal, dependable and strived to do what was right. He loved the Lord Jesus and read the Bible regularly. Sunday mornings were always for going to church with the family or, in this past year, watching church on TV. He trusted in God and his faith was in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Herb was heartbroken when he lost Norma. We can take comfort in the assurance that he is now with his beloved in Heaven.

Viewing and slideshow will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Sunday, March 21, 2021 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.  Interment will follow at Prospect Cemetery.

Virtual service will be viewable on this page once available.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Herb may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba, 1160-675 McDermot Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com