Former University of Northern British Columbia Chancellor Dr. Peter Bentley passed away on Monday, Sept. 6 at the age of 91.

Bentley was UNBC’s third Chancellor, serving from 2004-07. He was also a major donor to the University, most notably making a $1.2 million contribution to help finance the construction of the Bentley Centre, linking TELUS Student Street to the Teaching Laboratory building. 

“Peter Bentley was a true champion for education and for UNBC. Through his generous philanthropic support as well as his service as Chancellor, Peter helped UNBC thrive as a small, research-intensive University,” says UNBC Interim President Dr. Geoff Payne. “He always wanted UNBC to dream big. On behalf of the University community, I offer both condolences to Peter’s family and gratitude for their overwhelming support of UNBC over many years.”  

UNBC granted Bentley an honorary degree in 2008. He also holds an honorary degree from the University of British Columbia.

“As a University community, we are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Peter Bentley,” says UNBC Board of Governors Chair Catherine Wishart. “The Bentley Centre at UNBC’s Prince George campus is just one tangible example of Peter’s generosity and ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the north. With Peter and his family’s support, UNBC is educating the next generation of leaders for northern British Columbia and beyond.” 

Bentley was born in Vienna in 1930 and moved to Canada as a child when his family fled the Nazi occupation. Shortly after arriving, his father and uncle started the company that would become Canfor. Bentley started working at the company when he was 14 and rose to become the company’s president in 1975. In 1985, he became Canfor’s chief executive officer and chair of the board of directors. He retired from the company in 2019. 

He was an active volunteer, serving with the Canadian Olympic Foundation and the Canadian Professional Golf Association. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1983 and was named to the Order of British Columbia in 2014.