Peter John Gerald Bentley is remembered as a successful Canadian businessman who later became the head of Vancouver University, writes vancouver1.one.
We will provide a detailed account of his story, referencing bloomberg.com.
Family and a Forced Decision
The subject of our article was born in Austria, specifically in the city of Vienna. His parents were Jewish, and as a result, he was raised in the finest traditions of Judaism. His family instilled in him from childhood the qualities that would help him achieve his goals in adulthood while maintaining dignity and honor.
In 1938, Peter’s family was forced to flee their native Vienna. This decision was driven by the Nazi nationalization of their family’s factory, which was the largest sugar enterprise in Austria. This factory supplied about twenty percent of the country’s sugar production.
Later, the factory was purchased by a supporter of the Nazi regime at a nominal price.
Relocation and a New Business
Peter’s family relocated to Vancouver, where his father had to change his name and became known as Leopold. In their new home, he established a company specializing in manufacturing furniture and veneer panels. The company was called “Pacific Veneer.”
Over time, it evolved into an integrated forestry company. In 1983, it achieved the status of a publicly traded company on one of Canada’s stock exchanges.
A Talented Son
Leopold’s son, Peter, proved to be an equally talented and astute entrepreneur. Over the years, he actively developed his career, which progressed exceptionally well.
In 1970, he assumed the position of Vice President at “Canfor Corporation.” By 1975, he had risen to the role of President, leading the company.
The year 1985 was a milestone for Peter, as he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, a position he held until 1995.
He officially concluded his career at the company only in 2009.
In addition to his leadership role in the corporation, Peter excelled as a director and honorary director of one of Canada’s major banks.
Furthermore, he was a member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and served as a director of Vancouver Hospital.
The Role of University Chancellor
Peter was also deeply engaged in volunteer work, holding positions in various organizations. These included the Vancouver Police Foundation, the Vancouver Sport Hall of Fame, the Canadian Golf Association, and school boards.
In 2004, Peter was entrusted with leading Vancouver University as its Chancellor, a position he held until 2007.
During his tenure, he established a strong reputation as a remarkable leader. He demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, making his time as university head one of the institution’s most successful periods. He earned the full trust of both students and colleagues. It goes without saying that he enjoyed immense respect while serving at the university.
Thus, Peter John Gerald Bentley can rightfully be considered a living embodiment of the famous saying, “A talented person is talented in everything.” Everything he pursued turned out successfully, yielding outstanding results and bringing him great fame and success. Perhaps it was due to good genes and proper upbringing. Or maybe it was simply the result of Peter’s personal uniqueness and exceptional talent.