It is with a heavy heart we share the news of Reginald John Penner’s passing. Reg was a remarkable individual who profoundly impacted the Steinbach community, the co-operative movement and was a valued supporter of the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada). His legacy of generosity, leadership and partnership will continue to inspire people for years to come.
Reg’s career spanned over 40 years, during which he led Penner Farm Service to become a thriving business with long-standing relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers. He was a firm believer in treating everyone fairly and building partnerships based on co-operative principles. Reg also believed in giving back to the community and was involved in numerous organizations, including the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club, his church, and the Steinbach Credit Union, where he served as a board member for 20 years, including seven years as Board Chair.
Reg’s contributions to CDF Canada were immeasurable. His long-standing support for CDF Canada and the Canadian Co-operative Association was a testament to the Cooperation among Co-operators principle he practices by supporting co-operatives and credit unions on a global scale. As a long-standing generous supporter for the past 13 years, he recognized the power of co-operatives and credit unions in creating sustainable economic and social development, and he shared our vision of a world where communities can achieve their full potential.
Even in his retirement, Reg continued to serve his community by volunteering with Partners Worldwide and traveling to Ghana to help business leaders and farmers grow their businesses. He also worked on Steinbach Community Outreach’s building project of a low-income apartment block, further demonstrating his dedication to serving those in need.
Reg’s contributions to our organization were immeasurable, and his generosity has had a lasting impact on our ability to support co-operatives and credit unions around the world. His passing is a great loss to all of us, but his memory will continue to inspire us as we work towards a more just and sustainable world.
Reg’s legacy of generosity, leadership, and partnership will continue to inspire us at CDF Canada as we work towards a more just and sustainable world. We are grateful for his support and leadership and offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. Reg will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on through the many lives he touched and the impact he had on the co-operative movement.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Reg’s family during this difficult time. We will always remember his dedication and commitment to people and communities around the world.