AN ALBERTA ‘STATESMAN’
Ron Southern dead at 85
CALGARY He was a brilliant entrepreneur, a visionary and a community icon.
Ron Southern, the founder of Spruce Meadows and ATCO, died Thursday morning at his home, at the age of 85.
Condolences poured in from politicians, co-workers and friends, who remembered the self-made billionaire as a humble and downto-earth man.
Conservative MP Jason Kenney described Southern as “a brilliant entrepreneur, a great Canadian and a good friend,” while Premier Rachel Notley said Southern “dreamed big, achieved so much, and all Alberta benefited.”
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the city is grateful for Southern’s contributions.
“Beyond his career as a prominent businessman, Ron was a true community builder,” he said in a statement. “It is because of Ron’s vision for Spruce Meadows more than 40 years ago that we as Calgarians are lucky enough to enjoy this iconic venue. And Spruce is only one example of the extraordinary work of Ron and his family.”
“The imprint he has left on our city and province is significant,” said Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci.
Ian Allison, senior vice-president at Spruce Meadows and a close friend, said from his firm handshake to his ability to always remember names, Southern made an impression on everyone he met.
“Whether you knew him for one week, or a year, or a decade, or your entire life, he had a great impact,” said Allison, who last visited with Southern earlier this week.
Southern was a visionary who carried around coloured felt pens so he could sketch out, and describe in perfect penmanship, his ideas for the future of Spruce Meadows, Allison said.
“He always had, and I mean 24 hours a day, he had his felt pens and his paper handy,” Allison said. “I have hundreds of pieces of paper from him for potential followup.”
Allison described the founder and co-chairman of Spruce Meadows as an extraordinary leader who was tenacious and determined.
“Mr. Southern was a giant in all of our lives,” he said. “It’s an extraordinary story that he authored.”
In 1947, Southern and his father each invested $2,000 in the original Alberta Trailer Hire Co., which later became ATCO.
Southern began working full time for ATCO after graduating from the University of Alberta with a science degree in the faculty of medicine in 1953, and he went on to transform the company into a global corporation with thousands of employees.
“Ron’s story is one that proves you can start a company with virtually nothing and turn it into a business empire. He’s the perfect poster person for someone that wants to build something from scratch,” said Adam Legge, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
Southern also founded Akita Drilling Ltd. and played a pivotal role in the company’s evolution.
“He was a man of tremendous conviction and principle,” said Murray Roth, chief financial officer for Akita Drilling who worked for Southern for 30 years.
But Southern’s influence extended far beyond the business world. Southern and his wife, Margaret, who loved horses, transformed a dusty feedlot on the city’s southern edge into a worldclass sports facility. Founded in 1975, Spruce Meadows is today recognized as the leading venue in the world for international show jumping.
“This man was sort of larger than life and really put Calgary on the map globally with Spruce Meadows and really brought the world to Calgary,” said Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart.
“If ever Calgary had a statesman, it was Ron Southern.”
Southern’s long list of accolades included an induction into the Order of Canada in 1986, the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2012, and an induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
“He was a lifelong champion for sport in our city,” said Murray Sigler, executive director and CEO of Sport Calgary.
If ever Calgary had a statesman, it was Ron Southern. Diane Colley-Urquhart, Calgary councillor
Sigler said through Spruce Meadows Southern and his family changed what was once perceived as an elite sport into a community sport. Southern delighted in sharing his joy for sport with others, especially kids, recalled Sigler.
“He was truly such a successful person in business and in life, but he always had time for schoolchildren.”
Roy Whitney, chief of the Tsuut’ina First Nation, agreed.
He said Southern supported education for young people. In a statement, Whitney said Southern was a “true and loyal friend to the Tsuut’ina people,” and was made an honorary member in 2013.
“(He) did not just talk about respect for First Nations people — he demonstrated it,” Whitney said.
Scott Thon, president and CEO of AltaLink, said Southern was a champion for the province.
“He was very tough, very competent and a very passionate businessman. You could tell, he was absolutely dedicated, not only to his business but to his family and certainly to Alberta,” Thon said.
Southern is survived by his wife, Margaret Southern, and his daughters, Nancy Southern and Linda Southern-Heathcott. A public service is being planned for Southern next week at Spruce Meadows.