David Young
February 19, 1934 - October 15, 2026
David Young passed away peacefully on October 15, 2026, at the age of 92. He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Myrtle Young, his sister Donna Harrison, and his brother Jack Young.
David is lovingly remembered by Audrey, his wife of 66 years; his daughter, Lisa (Mike Griffin); his grandsons, David and Josh; his nieces and nephews and their families; and his dear friend Diane Kunic.
David was born in 1934 in a house built by his grandfather on the family homestead near Birtle, Manitoba. He worked on the family farm until age 16 and maintained a lifelong interest in agriculture, the land, and the natural environment.
His education began at the single-room Rothesay School, where he studied through Grade 8. After completing secondary school, he went on to study English at United College, where he met Audrey, and later earned an MSc in Resource Management from the University of Michigan.
After leaving the farm, David worked in his parents' general store in Holland, Manitoba, the trading division of the Hudson's Bay Company, serving in Portage la Loche and ÃŽle-Ã -la-Crosse, Saskatchewan, and worked as an oilfield roughneck in Saskatchewan and on construction projects in Winnipeg. He later joined the Manitoba civil service in the Departments of Industry and Commerce and Natural Resources.
In 1966, David became assistant to Premier Duff Roblin and, two years later, assistant to Premier Walter Weir. Following a brief period in management consulting, he co-founded the consulting firms Hildebrandt Young and later Lombard North. He eventually established Symbion Consultants, through which he worked extensively with law firms, engineering firms, energy companies, and Indigenous communities across Manitoba, Alberta, and other provinces. He also contributed to the creation of the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba and taught there as an adjunct professor for many years.
In 1977, David purchased a property on the Birch River in eastern Manitoba that became the place where his passions came together. There, he built a greenhouse, cultivated native vegetation, undertook habitat restoration projects, and designed and constructed an energy-efficient home and related buildings. Every year, he and Audrey planted a large garden, and visitors to the farm never went home empty-handed.
David was a gifted storyteller whose curiosity, humour, and wide-ranging interests made him a memorable companion. He was a devoted husband and father and beloved "Silly Grandpa" to his two grandsons. He took great joy in seeing his nieces' and nephews' families grow and thrive.
He died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on his own terms on a day of his choosing.
The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the staff of Brightwater Tuxedo for the care, kindness, and respect they showed David during the final year of his life.
In accordance with his wishes, no funeral service will be held. Those wishing to honour David's memory are invited to make a donation to the Henteleff Park Foundation.
Branch & Pyre Cremation Care