Dr. Herbert "Pete" Coutts, Tribute to a Generous Edmontonian

A tribute made following the death of Dr. Herbert T. 'Pete' Coutts, an educator, a volunteer and a community leader.

It is fitting that we pause to remember Dr. Herbert T. “Pete” Coutts, as one who gave generously of his time, energy, skills, and experience for the benefit of others.


Dr. Coutts retired from his position of Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta in 1972. He had the well-earned reputation of being a great educator in Alberta, and this was extended to the national and international scene. His expertise in the fields of teacher training and educational administration was well known to universities and colleges from Newfoundland to British Columbia. He received many, many academic and professional honours and in 1974, was one of the distinguished Canadians to become a member of the Order of Canada.


After his retirement, Dr. Coutts continued to be active in many areas of the larger community and his exceptional contributions were recognized here also. Among the honors he received from his outstanding community service were the following: a citation from the United Way of Edmonton, a thank you certificate for services in the Edmonton Y.M.C.A. Board and its Executive, and he was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International on recommendations of the Rotary Club of Edmonton.


The H.T. Coutts High School in Claresholm, Alberta was named for him, as was the Herbert T. Coutts Library at the University of Alberta.


I believe it is important to include in this brief tribute to Dr. Coutts, the fact that he like others who lived during very hard times, worked very hard as did his pioneering parents. His education fees were earned “by stocking grain, milking cows, and digging and backfilling for sewage pipe. No doubt his traits of tenacity, determination, and hard work were honed in those difficult times.”*


The Society for the Retired and Semi-Retired owes a special debt to Dr. Coutts as a former member of the Board of Directors (1983 – 1989) who gave leadership to its operation. As Chairman of the Education Committee, he helped to improve the educational programming at a time when there was tremendous growth and changes in the organization. Following that, he chaired the Personnel Committee and helped with revisions in the administration structure of the organization. He drafted the revisions of the By-Laws of the Society and he chaired the Nominating Committee. Dr. Coutts read through years of Society Board minutes in order to identify board policies and changes in board policies. Using this historical information, he made presentations on the development of the Society to Society groups and staff.


It was Dr. Coutts who represented the board on a newly-formed Editorial Committee at the time of the transition of “News for Seniors”: from being a newsletter prepared in-house to a published newspaper. Dr. Coutts believe in broadening the base of communication with Society members. He assisted in developing the contract with Trend Publications. He outlined for the Committee the jobs to be done and made a chart showing the structure that would be necessary to carry out the work. He wrote the Terms of Reference of the Editorial Committee making clear its responsibility to the Board of Directors. Dr. Coutts worked as part of that committee and as a writer for the paper for several years. His contribution to the Society’s newspaper was invaluable.


We all know how important the contribution of volunteers has been to the Society since its beginning in 1970. We also know how much has been contributed by volunteer leadership and by dedicated staff. Without the commitment of board and committee members, the Society could not have achieved its current status nor expanded its range of services.


Dr. Coutt’s contribution in the “evolving development”** of the Society will be remembered. We recognize in the life of Herbert J. “Pete” Coutts his principle of putting back into life more than one takes out. The Society remembers his drive for excellence on whatever committee he served. The Society remembers the generosity of spirit of this distinguished and truly community-minded gentleman.


* Quotation from Dr. Herbert T. “Pete” Coutts: A man for All Season News for Seniors, October 1989. by Betty Finch


** Term used by Dr. Coutts.