One of the most decorated curlers in Canadian history, Matthew Baldwin ('51 Eng) began an illustrious sports and business career at the University of Alberta. 

A 1994 University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame Inductee, Baldwin passed away on April 8th at the age of 96. He is survived by his wife of 72 years Betty-Jean, daughters Sally and Leslie, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

As a student at the University of Saskatchewan, Baldwin helped organize the first ever Western Canadian Curling Championship, between the Universities of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. After transferring to the UofA, Baldwin led the Golden Bears to three-consecutive Western interuniversity curling championship three times (1949-51). 

Albertans, and indeed many Canadians, recognize Matt Baldwin as one of the greatest curlers in the history of the game. That reputation rests on achieving five Alberta curling championships (1954, '56, '57, '58, and 71), and as a three-time winner of the Brier Tankard, emblematic of the Canadian men's curling championship (1954, 57, and '58).

In the spring of 1950, Matt and fellow-student George Knoll recognized an opportunity in the emerging oil production activity in Alberta and Saskatchewan and established an oil well servicing company that would soon become the largest Canadian company of its kind, operating 40 rigs in the western provinces and the Territories. The original Baldwin and Knoll Company evolved into a group of companies – which Matt serves as chairman – that provides a range of diversifies services to the oil and gas industry. Professionally he has served on the board and as chairman of the Canadian Association of Oil well Drilling Contractors, and as a director of the Alberta Energy Company since its inception in 1975.

He was a founding member of the Derrick Golf & Winter Club and he served as its president from 1951-1961. Through the Matt & Betty Jean Baldwin Foundation, he helped improve the lives of patients undergoing brain, heart, and kidney treatment, and supported numerous other charitable causes.

In other activities, Matt served ten years on the executive of the community-owned Edmonton Eskimo (Elks) Football Club, including a two-year term as president. He helped to bring together a diverse group of agencies to form what is now the United Way. His contributions to curling and to the quality of life in his community have previously been recognized by election to each of the Edmonton, Alberta, and Canadian Sports Halls of Fame, as well as the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame.

In recognition of his life achievements in business, philanthropy, and sports he was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2019.