Bruce Dalshaug was born on April 6, 1936 to Palmer J. Dalshaug and Lilian R. Dalshaug (nee Cooper) at Margo. Bruce came into this world in his grandmother's house with a midwife in attendance. He and his sister Hazel and brother were raised on the family farm east of Margo. Bruce completed Grades 1 through 8 at Olivet School and Grades 9 through 12 at Margo.
In 1954, Bruce began his career in health care as an orderly at the Canora Union Hospital. During the mid '50s, high school graduates had many opportunities for employment so he kept his options open. Bruce was particularly interested in a new registered x-ray technician course sponsored by the government at the University of Saskatchewan. Graduates of this program were the first to be fully recognized by the medical establishment. To help with tuition costs and other expenses, the government loaned each student $75 per month, which was forgivable on the successful completion of final exams and five years of service in the province of Saskatchewan. Bruce was accepted into the program and completed the theory component at the University of Saskatchewan with the intent of taking his practical at the Canora Union Hospital. However, the university was unable to provide enough supervision so Bruce and two other students were required to complete their training at another hospital. Three were available - Regina, Saskatoon and North Battleford. Bruce chose North Battleford, which turned out to be the best career choice he could have made. In 1957, Bruce completed his practical at the Notre Dame Hospital (owned and operated by the Sisters of Charity) and qualified as a registered x-ray technician.
In 1959, Bruce was promoted to the position of chief technician of the Radiology Department at Notre Dame (which became the Battlefords Union Hospital in 1966), a position he held until 1972. In the same year, the hospital administrator, Ben Stefaniuk, offered Bruce the position of assistant administrator contingent upon completing the hospital administrator program at the University Saskatchewan. In 1985, after Ben Stefaniuk's death, Bruce was appointed to the position of administrator. Bruce held this position until 1992 when he retired. His career in health care spanned a remarkable 38 years.
Bruce enjoyed a highly successful career, and his record of community service was equally impressive. He began volunteering in 1954 by giving blood, the first of 138 times (some of which was given directly to patients). In 1957, Bruce joined the North Battleford Fire Department as a volunteer fireman and continued in this capacity until 1972. Bruce also coached the fire department's Little League baseball team, which was the beginning of many years of coaching minor hockey and flag football as well as baseball. He also served on the board of directors for the Battlefords Barons junior hockey team.
Bruce's community service was not limited to coaching sports. He was a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society (serving a year as president). He also sat on the United Appeal Board, Canadian Legion and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. Bruce was also involved with the North Battleford Sports Museum and Hall of Fame, the Relay for Life, the Salvation Army and the Granite Curling Club. In addition, he was a member of the Elks Club and the Associated Canadian Travelers (serving the last four years as president). The City of North Battleford also appointed Bruce to the library board, and he served on the Western Development Museum board for three years. Bruce delivered meals on wheels for many years, and donated thousands of hours working bingos for various charities. For Bruce's extraordinary record as a community volunteer, he received the Rotary Club Integrity Award.
In 1956, as fate would have it, a registered nurse from City Hospital in Saskatoon, accepted a position at Notre Dame Hospital. Her name was Norma V. Arn. Bruce and Norma married in 1958. They were blessed with two children, both of whom followed their parents into the health care field. Their daughter, Valerie Dalshaug-Wilton, RN is teaching at the SIAST Woodland College in Prince Albert. Their son, Gregory, graduated with a degree in pharmacy and then took a degree in medicine. Gregory combines a full-time practice with duties as a clinical professor of surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. Bruce also has a granddaughter and three grandsons. Sadly, Norma lost her battle with cancer on May 7, 1987 and missed the wonderful experience of being a grandmother.
Bruce's central focus in life was his family. His career and community service were next in importance. But he also enjoyed activities that included hunting, fishing and playing softball and broomball with fire department teams. Plus, he curled and golfed. He has travelled to nine provinces and visited Hawaii and Arizona numerous times. Now, instead of taking winter vacations, he spends his time watching his granddaughter in her various activities and his grandsons play hockey.
Looking back on his life, Bruce has many reasons to be thankful. His family is highly accomplished. He is privileged to have lived in a great community, and he is fortunate to have enjoyed a wonderful career working with health care workers, medical staff and board members - the Battlefords Union Hospital team.
On the occasion of North Battleford's centennial, we are indebted to a man who, through his career in health care and community service, gave his life to this city. We give a heartfelt thank you to an extraordinary citizen - Bruce Dalshaug.
