Dr. Harry Winrob was a passionate collector of Inuit sculpture. From 1971 until shortly before his death in 2006, he travelled through the Canadian Arctic collecting pieces from virtually every community that produced art. Ultimately, he donated 246 sculptures to the Winnipeg Art Gallery. The Harry Winrob Collection of Inuit Sculpture is one of the most important donations ever received by the WAG. It forms the most significant group of whalebone and antler sculptures in the world.
Harry also had a passion for the Yiddish language and Jewish Culture. He was a long time supporter of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture.
Harry was born in Winnipeg in 1922. He served overseas in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. He received his medical degree from the University of Manitoba in 1951 and practiced medicine in Vancouver until 1991.
Story by Mark Kreger
DR. HARRY WINROB Dr. Harry Winrob passed away November 29, 2006 at the Vancouver General Hospital at the age of 84 years. Harry is survived by his three children, Mark, Brian, Abbie; daughter-in-law Gwen; son-in-law Craig; four grandchildren, Ira, Vania, Kyle and Owen; as well as his brother Sam; sister-in-law Rita and many nephews and nieces. Harry was born in Winnipeg on January 28, 1922 and graduated in 1943 as a Second Lieutenant in the Canadian Armed Forces and served in Canada and overseas. He later graduated as a doctor from the University of Manitoba in 1951 and practiced medicine in Vancouver until 1991. Harry was a passionate collector of Canadian Inuit sculpture and Eastern Woodland Indian art as well as books on native cultures and records including the Blues, classical and Jewish music. Harry recently made a significant gift of the Winrob Collection of Inuit sculpture to the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Harry also had a passion for the Yiddish language and Jewish culture and the development of secular Jewish education and was a long time supporter of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture. A memorial service will be held at the Peretz Centre on January 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Harry to the Peretz Centre, 6184 Ash Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3G9.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2006
Harry Winrob, 1951 University of Manitoba Yearbook
Cover of the Catalogue for the Harry Winrob Collection