Henry Champ (1937-2012)
“For all of his sophisticated ways, as a man who had been all over the world, he was a small-town guy and he loved Brandon University beyond measure – he cared so much for the place.”
— President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Deborah C. Poff
A native of Hartney, Manitoba, Henry Champ was installed as Brandon University’s sixth Chancellor in November 2008. Chancellor Champ was one of the world’s top foreign correspondents for most of his 40 years in journalism and was best known for his time in television. In the late 1970s/early 1980s, he provided frequent coverage for NBC from El Salvador, Nicaragua and Chile. He was a leading Canadian voice on world conflict going back to on-the-ground coverage of Vietnam and is regarded as being one of the last correspondents to leave during the fall of Saigon. He covered various conflicts in the Middle East, particularly Afghanistan during the Russian occupation and the war in Iraq, before returning to Canada to join the anchor team at CBC News: Morning in Halifax. Henry went on to become CBC Newsworld’s authority on Washington, D.C., a position from which he retired in November 2008, just days after completing the election coverage of US President Barack Obama.
Henry Champ loved Brandon University. He attended Brandon College in 1957 and 1958 and served Brandon University in many capacities over the years, including as a member of the Brandon University Foundation. In 2005 he was awarded an honorary doctor of laws for his service.
During his nearly four year term as Chancellor, Henry was passionate about all aspects of Brandon University. He enjoyed his visits to our campus, meeting and visiting with anyone who crossed his path, and reminisced often about his own time spent here. He had a special interest in recruiting students from inner city schools in the USA who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to attain a post-secondary education. He was also an avid sports fan and was thankful for the online Bobcat broadcasting, rarely missing a game.
Henry is survived by his wife, Karen, and five children.
Chancellor Champ had a big heart and touched many lives in many different ways. A Memorial Book will be available in the Office of the President, Room 116 Clark Hall, and we invite you to stop by to provide your written condolences to the family, should you wish to do so. In addition, online comments can be submitted by completing the following section.
7 Comments
I would like to send my condolences to the family, friends and all that knew him. I know it is hard to lose a loved one and I hope god gives you strength through this difficult time. God bless you all!
My condolences to Henry’s family. He was a kind soul who always had a smile and time for a chat when we met infequently but over the last 60 years. He is a reminder to me of those happy, carefree days of junior high and high school. Thank you, “Champ” for those memories.
Henry Champ was a great man. He contributed not only to Canada but in particular to Brandon, whic he loved. I new him for some years and exchanged many stories particularly about his posting in Poland. He will be missed. Condolences to the family of this great man.
Very sincere condolences are sent to the Champ family. Many from the Hartney area were saddened to hear of Henry’s passing and we feel fortunate he was able to visit again within the last few years. Please extend our sympathies to Jessie as well.
From the Dodd/Hunt/Bell family of the Hartney/Menteith area.
I will miss you Henry – you were amazing to work with and I feel honoured to have had that pleasure – rest in peace.
My sympathies to his family during this difficult time.
It was an honour for us to be able to meet with Henry Champ at Brandon University several times a year during his too short tenure as Chancellor here. He was a great man and he brought all the experience and wisdom and humour and sparkle of his illustrious career to bear in his time with us. For Henry Champ, being Chancellor was not just an honorary position. He took the job seriously, and turned it into something grand and deeply engaged, and also fun. He took the time to speak with many students personally during the several hours long graduation ceremonies over which he presided so graciously. With every visit he brought new exciting ideas of how to promote Brandon University and extend its presence and offerings in the world. He remembered his southwestern Manitoba roots with fondness. He cherished Brandon University, and we cherished him. He will be much missed, and fondly remembered. Many condolences to his family.
While I was employed by BU, I had the honour of taking part in the meetings that decided that Henry Champ would be our next Chancellor. At his installation, I was fortunate to not only meet and shake hands with Henry, but was able to have my picture taken with him, thanks to Henry’s good friend, Willa Fowles. Henry was 6 feet plus, I am barely 5ft… a memorable picture for me indeed! To all of us, he was just “Henry”, and I feel grateful that I was able to work with him for a short while before my retirement. Henry, you will be missed by so many people!
Pat Alvestad, Former Secretary to the University Registrar
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