The Tyndale University community celebrates the life of Archibald (Archie) McLean, former Board Chair and Honorary Degree recipient, who passed away February 20, 2025. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly sixty years, Kathleen. Together they had six children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Archie accepted a call to the Tyndale Board of Governors in 1995. In his fourteen years as Chair, he built a new Board and was instrumental in propelling Tyndale forward. During his tenure, Tyndale gained university college status and also received authorization to grant the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Doctor of Ministry degrees. He served as Vice Chair of the Uncommon Ground Campaign which enabled the purchase of the Morrow Park property from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, which the university now calls home. In recognition of his service to Tyndale and the broader community, Tyndale University granted Archie the Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) in 2010.
He was a passionate advocate for Christian higher education. He said, “Significance is more important than achieving success. Tyndale is training the next generation of young leaders to make a significant impact on our world.”
A graduate of Wilfred Laurier University, Archie had a successful career in the food industry working at Quaker Oats followed by senior executive positions with McCain Foods Limited (President and CEO) and Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. (Vice Chairman and CEO). His generosity of time, energy and resources have been extended beyond Tyndale to numerous boards and he assumed the role of Chair with many of them. Some of these institutions and organizations include Canadian Frozen Food Association, Canadian Food Processor Association, Food Institute of Canada, Youth for Christ, Inter-Varsity (Canada), Transport for Christ, Nation at Prayer and Visionledd. He also served on the University of New Brunswick Business Advisory Council, and in 2011, Archie was named one of Wilfred Laurier University’s 100 Alumni of Achievement.
A celebration of Archie's life will be held on March 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Woodstock Baptist Church, 785 Main St, Woodstock, NB and will be live streamed.