Bert was born in 1920, and was raised on a farm near Manitou.   In partnership with his brother, he established the first registered turkey hatchery in Manitoba, under the name Hall Bros..  During the war years, he served in the R.C.A.F., and was married to his wife, Clara.  They raised three sons, Derryl, Walter, and Ray.

Prior to the war, with his brother, there was the establishment of the first registered turkey hatchery in Manitoba under the name Hall Bros.  In 1956, Bert assumed the position of General Manager and director of Manitou Broiler Farms Ltd..  He participated in the organization of the Manitoba Broiler Industry Association, and was chairman.  During 1968, the Manitoba Government established the Manitoba Chicken Broiler Producer's Marketing Plan, Bert was appointed as a Board member and became chairman, a position held for 15 years.  He represented Manitoba in the formation of the Canadian Broiler Council, was a member and served two terms as President of the Manitoba Farm Bureau, was a director of the Western Agricultural Conference, a director of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and of Canfarm, served as the Manitoba representative to the Canadian Chicken Marketing Agency, with a term as chairman. Bert was appointed to the Federal Government Ad Hoc Grains Committee, (whose purpose was to ensure adequate supplies of feed grains for the Canadian livestock industry) chaired a committee for consultation with producers on a new farm organization, and was provisional chairman of Keystone Agricultural Producers. 

In 1988 was appointed as member of the Manitoba Natural Products Marketing Council. For the community, he served on the School Division Board, 20 years as trustee and several years as chairman of the Pembina Valley School Division, was an Arbitrator for the Dauphin, Ochre River and Midland School Divisions, was a member of  the Pembina Manitou Health Board for 10 years, served as Mayor of Manitou from 1986-1992, was United Church Session Member, Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman of the Manitou United Church Official Board, also chaired committees for construction of the Elementary School, Church C E Building, Manitou Arena, the Pembina Manitou Health Centre and more recently a 55+ Senior's Housing Complex. 

Bert's wife and partner of 44 years, Clara died in January 1986.  He is now remarried to Beth, and they have their home in Manitou.  Bert was honoured with the Queens 25th Anniversary medal.  A Distinguished Service award, and Special Medal from the U of M, and a commemorative medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.   Bert's career has been devoted to the betterment of agriculture at both the provincial and national levels have done much to enhance the quality of rural life in Manitoba.

Nominated by:
Howard Motheral The Manitoba Natural Products Marketing Council ~ 1999