The University of Alberta community is in mourning following the death of Irving Kipnes, a distinguished alumnus, visionary entrepreneur and generous philanthropist who influenced fields ranging from cancer research to community-building, and from economic development to artistic expression. He died on Oct. 19, 2026, at the age of 90.
Since graduating from the U of A in 1959 with a BSc in chemical engineering, Irving dedicated his life to building a stronger, healthier province. His profound impact on the community was realized through deep partnerships at the university and beyond. By championing initiatives across the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, the Alberta School of Business, and the Faculty of Arts, Irving empowered researchers, students, and institutional partners to turn innovative ideas into real-world possibilities that have transformed countless lives.
“Giving back — whether with your time, your ideas, or your resources — is one of the most meaningful things you can do,” he said in September 2025 while announcing a $25-million gift to create the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute. ”It connects you to something larger than yourself. It ensures that the values you hold dear will carry forward, long after you’re gone.”
“Irving Kipnes lived a life defined by vision, generosity, and an unwavering belief in the power of community,” says Bill Flanagan, University of Alberta president and vice-chancellor. “Together with Dianne, he transformed lives across Edmonton and far beyond — championing discovery, culture, and care with quiet resolve and extraordinary purpose.”
“A proud University of Alberta graduate and devoted community leader, Irv understood that lasting impact comes from investing in people and possibilities. His legacy, reflected in every life touched by his philanthropy and leadership, will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Irving and his wife Dianne, who passed away in December 2024, were a philanthropic force in Edmonton, contributing to causes that captured their passion. When it came to medical research — whether it was cancer research, lymphedema research, urology care or heart health — they focused on knowledge translation to ensure research breakthroughs make a difference for patients as soon as possible.
“Dianne and Irv were true visionaries. He supported and guided their vision for medical research and helped it come to life through the Kipnes Health Research Institute, and the Kipnes Academy named in honour of their extraordinary contributions to the university over decades,” says Brenda Hemmelgarn, dean and vice-provost of the College of Health Sciences, and dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.
“To Irv, it was all about giving back. And he had an entrepreneurial spirit, a real can-do attitude and he lived by those values. He pushed us to do more, not just to do better, but to be the best to ensure we advance health and health outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.”
“There is always something you can do to help others”
Irving was born in Calgary on Sept. 10, 1936, the youngest son of Harry and Rose Kipnes, immigrants from Russia who ran a small confectionery store. As the horrors of the Holocaust were revealed throughout Irving’s childhood, the small Jewish community rallied to help in whatever way they could.
“My parents taught me a lesson that I have carried with me ever since,” Irving recalled. “No matter how much or how little you have, there is always something you can do to help others. They instilled an entrepreneurial spirit and a belief that you should always contribute to the place where you live.”
He moved to Edmonton to attend the U of A in 1954. After graduation, now married with a growing family, he joined Imperial Oil and worked there for four years. But he and a friend started a few building projects on the side, and that entrepreneurial hobby soon grew into a full-time job and a fulfilling lifetime career.
He founded Delcon Development Group in 1962, becoming “one of Edmonton’s leading residential land, business and industrial developers, with a sterling reputation for innovative and award-winning projects that honour Edmonton’s unique heritage and foster a strong sense of community pride,” according to a biography prepared in 2012 to honour his investiture into the Alberta Order of Excellence.
“Money is important but the satisfaction of getting the job done and getting it done well is really what motivates me,” he said.
When the Alberta government privatized liquor sales in 1993, he founded Liquor Depot and continued to guide the company until 2014. He was celebrated as a laureate of the Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame in 2009.
A dynamic philanthropic duo with a vision of the future
In 1988, Irving married psychologist Dianne Walker. Together they made a vow to spend 50 per cent of their time on charitable works. They founded the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation, a private philanthropic organization focused on making life better for people in Edmonton and beyond.
“As the years went by, giving became about something much deeper: the joy of seeing lives changed, communities strengthened, and possibilities created,” Irving said in 2025. “From supporting health research to investing in the leaders of tomorrow, my goal has always been simple: leave things better than I found them.”
The goal for the new Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute is to create a learning health system where artificial intelligence enhances care, clinical trials validate breakthroughs and specialized programs demonstrate the full cycle of research from insight to impact — continuously improving outcomes for all Albertans.
Other university-based health research initiatives launched by the Kipneses include the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Chair in Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Urology Centre, the C.J. Woods Prostate Health Clinic, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Brain Centre campaign. The Kipnes Centre for Veterans was established in 2005.
Irving and Dianne often partnered with major health-care organizations such as the Cross Cancer Institute and the University Hospital Foundation (UHF) to deepen the impact of their investments. In 2017, UHF awarded them the Peter Lougheed Award for the Advancement of Health Sciences in recognition of their leadership and generosity.
Other university strengths benefiting from the Kipneses’ support included programs in music, engineering and Jewish studies. The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Chair in Finance and Development supports research on ways to diversify Alberta’s economy.
Irving also shared his business acumen as a volunteer leader across the university, joining the School of Business Advisory Council from 2007 to 2009, and sitting on the President’s Think Tank in 2010. It all went back to his core belief that he could change the world by giving back.
“I’ve been fortunate to see what happens when that belief is matched with resources. Discoveries are made. Opportunities expand. Entire fields move forward faster than anyone thought possible.”
Irving was a constant contributor to Jewish life in Edmonton through the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, Our Parents’ Home, Edmonton Beth Shalom Synagogue, and more recently supporting local efforts to support Ukraine.
As a businessman, Irving volunteered with the Urban Development Institute, now known as BILD Edmonton Metro, the City of Edmonton’s Downtown Development Corporation and the Alberta Liquor Store Association. He was awarded the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Northern Lights Award of Distinction in 2010.
Irving Kipnes profoundly understood that true philanthropy is about much more than writing a cheque; it is about deeply believing in people, ideas and institutions, and helping them reach their full potential. By devoting his life to this principle, he fulfilled his simple yet powerful goal to leave things better than he found them.
While the University of Alberta and the broader community mourn the loss of a remarkable visionary, his legacy will forever endure in the lives he changed, the communities he strengthened and the endless possibilities his generosity created for generations to come.