Year Born: 1930
Year of Induction: 1997
Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame
Bonneau, Robert (1930- )
Born and educated in Montreal, Robert Bonneau graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique (University of Montreal) with a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering. He received the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal at the end of his studies. While at the university he worked for the Ministry of National Defense and Hydro Québec.
Upon graduation he joined the engineering department of Société Radio-Canada. From 1954 to 1959 he supervised the planning of numerous radio and television stations across Canada.
In 1959, Bob Bonneau joined CKTM-TV Trois-Rivières as chief engineer and in 1961, was named assistant manager for the station. He was made manager in 1965 and shortly after became one of the directors of Television Saint Maurice Inc. In 1976, he rose to chairman of the Board of Television Saint Maurice Inc., and director on the Board of Cogeco Inc., as well as assistant to the president. From 1988 to 1992, he served as vice-president of Cogeco. He retired in 1993 but remained as a director on the board.
He is a member of the Ordre des ingéneurs du Québec; member and regional past president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers; former francophone delegate to the CBC Advisory Committee; President (1974 – 75) for the Canadian Association of French Language Radio and Television (ACRTF); director (1974 – 75 and 1983 – 86) of the CAB and president of the Television section 1986 – 87. He is also a past vice-president of the Canadian Advertising Foundation.
During his career he was active in the Trois-Riviéres community. He was a member and president of the Rotary Club (1968 – 69); former member and director (1975 – 76) of the Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the board of Fondation Dieu Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Marie; and chairman of the Board of the University of Quebec in Trois-Riviéres for three years. In 1991, he received an honorary diploma from that university.
Robert Bonneau was inducted into the CAB Hall of Fame in 1997.
Written by Ross McCreath – October, 1997