1935: Penrose Melvin Sauder, P.Eng.

Affectionately known as "P.M.," Penrose Sauder was born in Preston, Ont., and graduated from the University of Toronto with a diploma in mechanical and electrical engineering. In 1904 he moved west to work for the irrigation branch of the federal Department of the Interior in southern Alberta, which began a long career as a leading expert in irrigation development in the southern deltas.

In 1941 Sauder was appointed director of water resources for Alberta and in 1947 became general manager of the vast St. Mary-Milk River irrigation developments. That year he received the Julian C. Smith Medal from the Engineering Institute of Canada for "outstanding achievements in the development of Canada." Other awards included Honorary Life Membership in APEGGA, Honorary Membership in the Engineering Institute of Canada, and Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Agricultural Institute of Canada.

Sauder served council of the Association of Professional Engineers of Alberta (APEA; now The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta) for many years beginning in 1925. He served two terms as association vice-president, and later president in 1935.

He was also the Alberta representative on the Dominion Council of Professional Engineers from 1936-38 and the association's representative on the council of the Engineering Institute of Canada from 1944-59. He passed away in Lethbridge in 1971.